According to CARFAX’s July Used Car Index, used vehicle prices rose 1.3% in June, adding roughly $350 after a sharper 3% jump in May.
Since the start of 2026, used prices are now up between $1,350 and $3,600, depending on the segment.
Hybrids and EVs are leading the increase. Prices in that category are up 11.9%, or $3,600, year to date, with the average price reaching $34,117. CARFAX tied part of that movement to fuel price uncertainty, which appears to be pushing more shoppers toward efficiency.
Vans and minivans also had a strong first half, rising $2,000 since January and settling at an average price of $23,689.
Used prices are giving dealers a clear closing truth: today may be cheaper than tomorrow.
What We See
We see two things happening at the same time.
First, new-car affordability is still pushing shoppers into used. When new vehicles remain expensive and inventory only grows slowly, used demand has room to stay firm.
Second, efficiency is no longer a side conversation. Hybrids and EVs are not just moving because people like the technology. They are moving because shoppers are trying to protect themselves from fuel volatility, monthly payment pressure, and uncertainty.
That gives dealers a useful sales conversation, especially on fast-moving used inventory. This is not about pressure. It is about clarity. If a customer is waiting on a used hybrid, EV, or family hauler, the data now supports a direct conversation about price movement and availability.
Listen to the Full Conversation
We talked through this story on today’s Automotive State of the Union, along with EV Auto joining Amazon Autos and what a smaller U.S. auto market could mean by 2040. Listen to the full episode for the broader dealer context.
The Closing Truth
Used prices rising can become one of the simplest, most honest urgency points in the store.
A customer does not need a lecture on macroeconomics. They need to understand what is happening in the lane they are shopping in. If the segment they want is getting more expensive, and inventory is not loosening quickly, waiting may not help them.
That is especially true for vehicles tied to real household needs: efficient commuters, used EVs, hybrids, vans, and minivans.
Why It Matters to Dealers
Dealers should watch acquisition, pricing, and sales messaging around efficient used inventory. The opportunity is not just having the right cars. It is helping customers understand why those cars are moving, why prices are changing, and why hesitation may cost them more.
