Used-Vehicle Prices Rise Above $27,000 as Supply Increases

The inventory and days of supply of used vehicles edged higher at the end of May from April, and the average listing price climbed past the $27,000 mark, according to the Cox Automotive analysis of vAuto Available Inventory data released June 16.

The total supply of unsold used vehicles on dealer lots, both franchised dealers and independents, across the U.S. stood at 2.19 million units at the close of May. That was up from a revised 2.11 million at the end of April but down 11%, or 277,000 units, from the same time a year ago.

Total days’ supply at the end of May stood at 47, compared with 46 at the start of the month. The days’ supply was down only 4% from year-ago levels.

The Cox Automotive days’ supply is based on the daily sales rate for the most recent 30-day period, ending May 29, when sales were 1.41 million units, down 8% from a year ago.The sales pace had been making healthy gains through most of May but dipped at the end of the month.

For the full calendar month of May, used retail sales based on the Cox Automotive analysis of vAuto data indicate sales were flat from April when they normally would have grown.

Sales volumes were down 11% from a year ago and the worst year-to-year performance so far this year.

Listing Prices Hit a Peak for Year to Date

The average used vehicle listing price steadily rose every week through May, closing the month at $27,256. The end-of-May listing price was the highest since early January.

Wholesale prices continue to decline, suggesting retail prices may dip as well, according to the Manheim Used Vehicle Value Index.

However, the average price likely will stay relatively high since few new vehicles have been sold in recent years, and little leasing was done, so newer used vehicles are in short supply and high demand. As with new cars, and as has been the case for months, the lower the price segment, the tighter the inventory.

The days’ supply for under $10,000 vehicles was 31, increasing with every higher price segment to the over $35,000 category with the highest days’ supply of 58.

Among the non-luxury used vehicles with the lowest inventory were Honda, Subaru, Toyota and Mazda. Luxury used vehicles with the lowest were Acura, Infiniti and Lexus.

Originally posted on Vehicle Remarketing