The United States Used Car Market Report is Segmented by Vendor Type (Organized and Unorganized), Fuel Type (Petrol, Diesel, Hybrid, and Battery Electric), Body Type (Hatchback, Sedan, and More), Sales Channel (Online and Offline), and State. The Market Forecasts are Provided in Terms of Value (USD) and Volume (Units).

The United States' Consumer Price Index for used cars and trucks dropped by 1.1 percent between August and September 2022. By contrast, the new vehicles CPI kept rising, up 0.7 percent during the same period.

The distribution of used vehicle sales in the United States by sales channel remained constant from September 2022 to September 2023. Retail sales at car dealerships held over half of the used car sales market during that time. Used vehicle sales were the leading type of light vehicle sales in the U.S. in 2023, amounting to over 38.6 million units sold.

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US Used Car Market Size 2025-2029

The US used car market size is forecast to increase by USD 40.2 billion, at a CAGR of 4.3% between 2024 and 2029.

The used car market in the US is witnessing significant growth, driven by the excellent value proposition that used cars offer to consumers. The increasing popularity of websites dedicated to selling used cars has expanded market reach and convenience, allowing consumers to browse and purchase vehicles online. Stringent emission regulations are restricting the sales of non-compliant used cars, necessitating investments in upgrading and maintaining commercial vehicle fleets to meet regulatory requirements. These regulations necessitate investments in emission testing and certification processes, increasing operational costs for dealers. To capitalize on opportunities, dealers can focus on offering certified pre-owned vehicles and implementing robust emission testing procedures.
Additionally, leveraging digital marketing strategies and offering flexible financing options can help attract and retain customers. Overall, the used car market presents both challenges and opportunities for players, requiring strategic planning and innovation to succeed.

What will be the size of the US Used Car Market during the forecast period?

Explore in-depth regional segment analysis with market size data - historical 2019-2023 and forecasts 2025-2029 - in the full report.
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The used car market in the US continues to evolve, with various sectors adapting to emerging trends and technologies. Vehicle data analysis plays a pivotal role in understanding vehicle depreciation curves and return on investment for dealers. Payment processing systems streamline sales transactions, while sales performance metrics and customer lifetime value inform strategic decision-making. Fraud detection systems ensure compliance with legal standards, and insurance cost factors influence acquisition channel efficiency. Inventory turnover rate, a key performance indicator, varies across dealerships. Compliance audits and dealer training programs maintain legal compliance and improve customer satisfaction. Market penetration rate and resale value prediction help dealers optimize pricing models.
Consumer protection laws and financing product offerings shape customer trust and loyalty. Operating costs analysis, customer service feedback, and sales conversion rates contribute to profit margin calculation. Risk assessment models, employee performance metrics, marketing spend efficiency, and pricing model validation are essential for long-term success. A recent study reveals a 5% increase in sales for dealerships implementing advanced data analytics. Industry growth is expected to reach 3% annually, driven by these evolving market dynamics.

How is this market segmented?

The US used car market research report provides comprehensive data (region-wise segment analysis), with forecasts and estimates in 'USD billion' for the period 2025-2029, as well as historical data from 2019-2023 for the following segments.

Distribution Channel

  3P channel sales
  OEM channel sales


Product

  Mid size
  Full size
  Compact size


Vendor Type

  Organized
  Unorganized


Fuel Type

  Diesel
  Petrol


Geography

  North America

    US

By Distribution Channel Insights

The 3P channel sales segment is estimated to witness significant growth during the forecast period.

The used car market in the US is an active and dynamic sector, driven by various factors. With the constant launch of new vehicle models, the supply of used cars increases, resulting in lower prices compared to new cars. This trend encourages car owners to sell their vehicles and upgrade to newer models, shortening the average ownership cycle. Online advertising platforms play a significant role in connecting buyers and sellers. Pre-purchase inspections and vehicle history reports ensure transparency and build trust. Repairs cost estimation and parts sourcing networks help in managing the expenses of used car ownership. Market segmentation strategies cater to different customer needs, while customer relationship management tools foster loyalty.

Emissions testing standards ensure the environmental sustainability of used vehicles. Auto appraisal value tools help in determining fair prices, and loan term comparison aids in financing decisions. Marketing campaign effectiveness is measured through customer acquisition cost and interest rate calculation. Mobile apps offer functionalities like mechanical inspection checklists, paint depth measurement, and damage assessment tools. Dealer inventory management, detailing services, and vehicle photography techniques enhance the sales process. Industry growth is expected to continue, with the used car market projected to expand by 3% annually. For instance, a dealership successfully increased its sales by 15% thr

The metropolitan areas with the highest used car average selling prices in January 2022 were both located in Florida, with the West Palm Beach-Fort Pierce area recording an average price of close to 36,500 U.S. dollars. This was close to 5,700 U.S. dollars more than the national average.

Nearly 1.8 million used vehicles were sold at car dealerships in the United States in March 2023. This represented a share of just under 53 percent of the total used car sales volume that month—a share which remained constant throughout 2022 and the beginning of 2023, with minimal variations.

Graph and download economic data for Consumer Price Index for All Urban Consumers: Used Cars and Trucks in U.S. City Average (CUSR0000SETA02) from Jan 1953 to Aug 2025 about used, trucks, vehicles, urban, consumer, CPI, inflation, price index, indexes, price, and USA.

United States Used Car market was valued at USD 238.57 Billion in 2024 and is expected to reach USD 354.04 Billion by 2030 with a CAGR of 6.80%.

The average price of used electric vehicles remained well over the price for used hybrid and non-hybrid/electric cars in the United States in February 2023. That month, used EVs cost an estimated 46,400 U.S. dollars, over 13,000 U.S. dollars more than a used hybrid vehicle.

Graph and download economic data for Retail Sales: Used Car Dealers (MRTSSM44112USN) from Jan 1992 to Jul 2025 about used, dealers, retail trade, vehicles, sales, retail, and USA.

Used Car Prices YoY in the United States increased to 2 percent in September from 1.70 percent in August of 2025. This dataset includes a chart with historical data for the United States Used Car Prices YoY.

The United States used car market size reached around USD 322.01 Billion in 2024. The market is projected to grow at a CAGR of 5.30% between 2025 and 2034 to reach nearly USD 539.70 Billion by 2034.

Used car dealers have recently experienced significant upheaval, primarily driven by global supply chain disruptions, changing consumer preferences and economic uncertainty. New vehicle shortages – partly caused by the well-publicized semiconductor crisis – have made it difficult for buyers to access affordable new cars, funneling greater demand into the used car market. At the same time, increasing migration to car-dependent cities and the rapid adoption of digital marketplaces have forced dealerships to evolve their business models rapidly. With heightened demand and tight inventories, dealers have enjoyed upticks in profit and greater pricing power, even as they’ve faced challenges securing vehicles and parts. Revenue for used car dealers expanded at a CAGR of 2.9%, reaching $147.4 billion through 2025, including a 2.1% jump that year. Over the past few years, these trends have fundamentally reshaped competition and operating norms for used car dealers. Used car prices have remained well above pre-pandemic levels, while dealers continually vied for a limited pool of quality inventory. Online-focused dealers gained a stronger foothold, pressuring traditional brick-and-mortar operations to enhance their digital presence and streamline purchasing. New financing options, including in-house and alternative lease models, emerged as key tools for capturing a broader range of customers. Meanwhile, interest in electric vehicles has grown, especially as prices have fallen, though concerns over battery life, resale value and serviceability have tempered wider adoption in the used segment. Tariffs and regulatory changes are expected to keep new car prices high, sustaining interest in used vehicles for price-conscious buyers. However, improvements in global supply chains are allowing new vehicle inventories to recover, intensifying competition and putting gradual downward pressure on used car prices. Dealers specializing in electric vehicles will need to navigate rapid depreciation and evolving consumer incentives. Persistent labor shortages and rising technological complexity will require ongoing investment in talent development and digital infrastructure. For used car dealers, the next few years will demand greater adaptability and innovation, as consumer expectations and market dynamics continue to shift. Revenue will climb at an estimated CAGR of 2.5% to $166.7 billion through 2030.

United States Motor Vehicle Sales: Average Price: Used Vehicle data was reported at 8,786.000 USD in 2010. This records an increase from the previous number of 8,483.000 USD for 2009. United States Motor Vehicle Sales: Average Price: Used Vehicle data is updated yearly, averaging 8,130.000 USD from Dec 1990 (Median) to 2010, with 21 observations. The data reached an all-time high of 8,786.000 USD in 2010 and a record low of 5,857.000 USD in 1990. United States Motor Vehicle Sales: Average Price: Used Vehicle data remains active status in CEIC and is reported by Bureau of Transportation Statistics. The data is categorized under Global Database’s United States – Table US.RA004: Motor Vehicle Sales: Average Price.

Net used light truck purchases in the United States stood at nearly 194.8 billion U.S. dollars in the second quarter of 2022, compared to just around 52.1 billion U.S. dollars for used cars. Net purchases of used cars had been slowly dipping down since the first quarter of 2018, before picking slightly back up during the COVID-19 pandemic. Car sales in the U.S. had overall been declining, with light trucks becoming the more popular vehicle type.

In Used Car Market in US, Car sharing services such as Zipcar and Turo are also driving up the demand for used cars to offer to their members.

The report covers USA Used Car Market Forecast, USA Used Car Market, USA Used Car Market Top Players, USA Used SUV Car Market Revenue, Size, Competition.

Used Car Prices MoM in the United States decreased to -0.20 percent in September from 0 percent in August of 2025. This dataset includes a chart with historical data for the United States Used Car Prices MoM.

View monthly updates and historical trends for US Consumer Price Index: Used Cars and Trucks. Source: Bureau of Labor Statistics. Track economic data with…

Brown cars saw their price drop the most when comparing their resale value to the original manufacturer's suggested retail price, with a depreciation rate of just under 18 percent. In contrast, used yellow cars did not record a price decrease as steep, at a depreciation of 4.5 percent. This is in part due to the novelty of yellow cars on the used vehicle market.