Used automobile costs skyrocketed in July on account of components associated to the coronavirus pandemic, Edmunds present in a examine printed Wednesday.
The common used automobile value for 2017 mannequin yr automobiles jumped $708 from June to $21,558 to July. Itemizing costs usually lower with depreciation presently of yr, with new fashions filling seller tons and lessees returning their automobiles. As a substitute of a glut in provide, there’s a spike in demand.
With new automobile stock constrained by factories shut down by COVID-19, in addition to low rates of interest and attractive provides on licensed used automobiles, consumers have turned to older automobiles, maybe to economize in unsure financial instances.
“It’s a vendor’s market proper now,” Ivan Drury, Edmunds’ senior supervisor of insights stated in a press release. “Though used automobiles proceed to supply vital reductions in comparison with new, used-car consumers will discover themselves within the uncommon place the place they won’t have as a lot negotiation energy as a result of demand is so excessive and sellers shall be much less inclined to be versatile.”
Whereas consumers look like demonstrating warning, there are different complicating components. The common transaction value—what automobile consumers are paying on common for a brand new automobile—was up 2% in July from final yr to $38,378, in line with Kelley Blue E-book. That is down barely from final month, largely attributable to provide points delaying sure greater degree trims of latest automobiles, however nonetheless close to document ranges.

Brandfon Honda dealership
Used automobile consumers can get a equally geared up mannequin that is three years previous for practically half the worth. However now used automobile costs are at document ranges, in line with KBB, and have been unswayed by a bankruptcy-induced fireplace sale of used automobiles by Hertz in June.
The volatility within the used automobile market displays unstable financial circumstances. In April, when the brand new automobile market was buoyed by interest-free incentives, used automobile costs have been down 2%.
In brief, it is exhausting to foretell the long run, however one factor stays clear from Edmunds’ information: luxurious used automobile costs haven’t elevated as dramatically as mainstream demand for bigger automobiles. Full- and mid-size vehicles such because the Ford F-150 lead the worth good points within the used automobile market, leaping $2,301 and $1,812, respectively, from June.
On the opposite finish of the spectrum, minivans and compact automobiles skilled the smallest improve of $415 and $427. For luxurious automobile fanatics, there is perhaps a silver lining: luxurious sports activities automobiles elevated the least at $171. However they’re additionally nonetheless the costliest used automobile section, averaging $55,323.
For brand new automobile consumers, these circumstances ought to assist trade-in values so you may get extra on your used automobile than you’d have a number of months in the past. For used automobile consumers, Edmunds advises that there probably will not be a lot negotiating on the listed value.
“Do your analysis and be ready to behave shortly in case you have your coronary heart set on a car,” Drury stated.
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