Sales of used cars are projected to hit 20.3 million vehicles in 2026—a 0.7 percent dip from 2025 sales—as used vehicle inventory remains constrained due to decreased automobile production and fewer leased vehicles being returned to dealerships, automotive data analytics firm Cox Automotive said on Jan. 8.
Used car values, as measured by the Manheim Used Vehicle Value Index, should tick up 2 percent by the end of 2026, signaling a return to standard depreciation rates. The index is a companion to Cox’s Manheim Market Report, which is used to determine prices for about 99 percent of used vehicle listings.
