The Manheim Used Vehicle Value Index rose to 206.8 in October, up 2% from a year earlier and 0.5% from September after adjustments for vehicle mix, mileage and seasonality. The monthly increase exceeded the long-term October average of 0.3%.
Unadjusted wholesale prices were up 0.3% from a year earlier and down 2.3% from September. The typical unadjusted decline for October is 1.5%.
Cox Automotive Chief Economist Jeremy Robb said depreciation was milder than usual in the first half of 2026. It accelerated through the summer and early fall, then slowed to a more typical seasonal pace in late October. Robb noted that weak wholesale values in October 2025 helped account for this year’s annual increase.
The EV index rose 6.6% year over year and fell 0.9% from September. Compact cars also showed relative strength, while luxury vehicles, pickups and SUVs continued to trend lower. Wholesale supply stood at 28.1 days at the end of October.
Used-vehicle retail supply stood at just under 50 days, close to the long-term average for the same week of the year. Retail inventory was tighter than a year earlier. Robb said vehicle sales typically slow heading into the holidays and pointed to the age of the U.S. vehicle fleet as one factor supporting steady demand.
