Used Vehicle Supply Tightens as Sales Increase
From a March 13, 2026 Cox Automotive report:
According to Cox Automotive’s analysis of vAuto Live Market View data, February used-vehicle inventory levels were down month over month but higher than in February 2025. The used-vehicle sales paces improved in February, as prices softened modestly from January.
Nationwide, dealers – both franchised and independent – had a total supply of 2.13 million used vehicles on their lots in February. That figure is 1.6% higher than a year ago but down approximately 2.6% compared to the 2.18 million available in January.
The retail used-vehicle sales pace remained healthy in February, up 5.5% compared to a year ago. Used retail sales volume in February is estimated at 1.41 million vehicles, up from the 1.38 million reported in January. On a daily sales rate basis, February averaged approximately 50,400 vehicles sold per day, up 13% from January’s 44,500.
February’s strong performance was most likely the result of a mix of factors, including the credit availability hitting its highest level since 2022, tax refund amounts running higher than prior years and a bounce back from a weather-related slowdown in late January. Overall, the used-vehicle market continues to offer consumers a strong value proposition compared to new vehicles.
The Cox Automotive days’ supply is based on the estimated daily retail sales rate for the most recent month. With sales increasing and volume declining, days’ supply of used vehicles dropped to 42 in February, down two days year over year and down seven days from the revised January measure. Supply remains relatively constrained compared to recent years and is down 11 days compared to February 2022.
The average used-vehicle listing price was $25,287, up less than 1% compared to the levels observed a year earlier and lower by 1.1% from the $25,570 recorded in January. The month-over-month decline was most likely driven by continued price softening in SUVs, which accounted for nearly half of all used vehicles sold in February.
Price-conscious buyers have limited options for affordable used vehicles. Used cars priced below $15,000 continue to have low availability, with only 31 days’ supply, which is 9 days below the overall industry average. The top five sellers of the month had an average price of $23,578, nearly 7% below the average listing price for all used vehicles sold. Once again, Ford, Chevrolet, Toyota, Honda and Nissan were the top-selling brands, accounting for nearly 50% of all used vehicles sold.
