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 |