On the Dash:
- Used-vehicle inventory reached a new 2025 high at 2.31 million units with a 50-day supply.
- Retail used-vehicle sales remain strong, rising 1.9% year over year and 2.3% month over month.
- Average listing prices held near $25,730, with limited availability of vehicles under $15,000.
Used-vehicle inventory levels rose for the fourth consecutive month at the start of December, reaching a new high for 2025, according to Cox Automotive’s vAuto Live Market View data.
Franchised and independent dealers had 2.31 million used vehicles in stock, up 6% from a year ago and 2% from early November. While supply remains above prior-year levels, it’s still constrained compared with recent years. Day’s supply sat at 50, unchanged from November but up two days from last year.
Consumer demand for used vehicles remains strong. Retail sales increased 1.9% year over year and 2.3% month over month, with November sales reaching 1.39 million vehicles, surpassing October’s 1.36 million.
The uptick in sales was driven by lower used-vehicle prices, improved auto loan approval rates and a stronger value proposition compared with new vehicles.
The average listing price for used vehicles dropped slightly to $25,730, down from November’s revised $25,947. Vehicles priced below $15,000 remained limited, with only 36 days’ supply, which is 14 days below the overall average.
The five top-selling used vehicles averaged $23,824, roughly 7% below the overall used-vehicle average. Ford, Chevrolet, Toyota, Honda, and Nissan led the segment, accounting for 50% of all used-vehicle sales.
