Fewer used vehicles are expected to be sold in 2026.
According to Cox Automotive’s 2026 forecast, used vehicle sales are expected to fall by 0.9 percent to 38.3 million. Used retail sales are expected to be down 0.7 percent at 20.3 million.
Cox Automotive Acting Chief Economist Jeremy Robb pointed out that slight downturns in used and new vehicle sales follow overperformance in 2025 before trailing off at the end of the year.
“[In the used auto industry], we expect to see a slightly lower sales pace versus last year with total used and used retail down roughly a point year over year,” Robb said. “The lower levels of affordability force more consumers down the price curve, keeping demand steady for used next year, even with some possible headwinds.”
Inventory supply will continue to be an issue in the used market as lease maturities are nearing a bottoming out in the next year. Robb added that dealer vehicles are not entering the market with dealers choosing to retail those vehicles instead of bringing them into the wholesale market.
The used market, according to Cox Automotive, ended 2025 2.7 percent ahead of 2024.
