Used car prices up significantly over last 12 months

(October 22, 2010) Edmunds.com has estimated  that the average price paid in the U.S. for a used three-year-old vehicle in September 2010 was $18,832, up $1,471, or 8.5 percent, from September 2009.

"Used cars are in great demand and relatively short supply, so their prices are remarkably high," stated Edmunds.com Analyst Joe Spina. "Automakers understand that many traditional new car buyers are considering used cars, and in response are emphasizing their certified pre-owned car sales programs through which they can earn revenue on used car sales. This effort will keep used car prices high since CPO cars sell for a higher price than comparable non-certified used cars, raising the ceiling for the entire used car market."

Edmunds.com estimates that 18.5 percent of used cars bought at dealerships are certified pre-owned vehicles, compared to 13.8 percent this time last year.

"The fact that there is high demand for used cars is good news for consumers selling or trading in their cars, but not for buyers," commented Edmunds.com Senior Consumer Advice Editor Philip Reed. "We recommend that anyone looking at a lightly used car should also research prices and incentives on new cars, because the deals on some new cars make them even less expensive than used cars."

Edmunds.com lists new vehicles that may be less expensive to buy new compared with used.

The following are among the three-year old vehicles with the most movement in average True Market Value price since September of last year:

Model Sep-10 Sep-09 Change
BMW X5 $39,185 $30,690 27.70%
Acura MDX $29,428 $23,365 25.90%
Chevrolet Tahoe $24,524 $19,753 24.20%
Toyota Tundra $21,773 $18,603 17.00%
Cadillac SRX $23,389 $20,094 16.40%
Toyota Tacoma $18,543 $16,082 15.30%
BMW 3 Series $27,136 $23,806 14.00%
Chevrolet Malibu $11,095 $9,761 13.70%
GMC Yukon $27,464 $24,503 12.10%
Chevrolet Colorado $13,874 $12,630 9.80%
Nissan Titan $17,852 $16,322 9.40%
Ram Pickup 1500 $17,708 $16,264 8.90%
Nissan Armada $25,047 $23,012 8.80%
Ford Focus $9,424 $8,675 8.60%
Mercedes C-Class $20,495 $19,019 7.80%
Cadillac CTS $21,227 $20,057 5.80%
Honda Accord $14,518 $14,701 -1.20%
Subaru Outback $17,374 $17,858 -2.70%

The following chart sets forth average three-year-old vehicle True Market Value prices by segment:

Segment September 2010 August 2010 September 2009
Subcompact Car $9,542 $9,602 $9,060
Compact Car $10,775 $10,874 $10,232
Midsize Car $14,014 $14,022 $13,474
Sport Car $15,976 $16,164 $15,080
Premium Sport Car $34,808 $35,522 $31,893
Large Car $14,714 $14,734 $14,077
Luxury Car $23,146 $23,249 $20,376
Premium Luxury Car $30,040 $30,715 $28,568
Compact Truck $16,403 $16,505 $14,238
Large Truck $20,652 $20,897 $18,886
Compact SUV $16,262 $16,318 $14,404
Midsize SUV $18,607 $18,640 $17,580
Large SUV $25,013 $25,109 $18,963
Luxury SUV $29,602 $30,103 $26,456
Minivan $17,403 $17,395 $15,838
Van $13,537 $13,672 $11,883