Used Vehicle Values Rise 2% Amid EV Demand

Wholesale used-car prices climbed year over year in October, with electric vehicles and non-EV models both gaining ground.

Updated on Nov. 10, 2026 in Buying/Selling

Isometric editorial illustration of neatly parked plain used cars and trucks on an open lot, with one electric sedan set apart at the front. — Wholesale used-vehicle values climbed 2% year over year in October, with electric vehicles gaining as prices move toward retail lots. AI Illustration. Upload story photo >

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Cox Automotive's Manheim Used Vehicle Value Index reached 206.8 in October, up 2% from a year earlier and 0.5% from September after seasonal adjustments. The gains came as wholesale supply ended the month at 28.1 days.

Why it matters

Wholesale used-vehicle prices typically flow through to retail sticker prices within roughly six to eight weeks, so shoppers across the country may face higher prices in coming months. Rising costs add pressure on affordability for buyers already dealing with an aging vehicle fleet.

The index reached 206.8, with three-year-old vehicle values falling 2.8% during October and light-duty truck values down 4.3% year over year on a non-adjusted basis. Wholesale supply ended the month at 28.1 days.

The players

Cox Automotive

Cox Automotive is an automotive services and digital marketplace company that publishes the Manheim Used Vehicle Value Index, a closely watched gauge of wholesale used-car prices.

The details

Light-duty trucks saw weaker values while electric vehicles gained, with higher gasoline prices appearing to support EV demand. The average used-car listing price recently reached its highest level since 2022, signaling broader price pressure in the retail market.

October 2026: Manheim index reached 206.8, up 2% year over year.
Late December 2026: Projected timeframe for higher retail used-car sticker prices if wholesale gains continue.
Early 2027: Projected timeframe for higher retail used-car sticker prices if wholesale gains continue.

Roadmap

The Manheim Used Vehicle Value Index serves as the industry's benchmark for wholesale used-car pricing, and the October reading shows a 2% year-over-year gain. The index's movements have historically preceded retail price changes by six to eight weeks, positioning the latest rise as an early signal for dealership pricing.

Shoppers planning a used-car purchase may encounter higher sticker prices by late December or early 2027 if wholesale values keep climbing. Buyers should compare listings closely and factor in the rising average listing price, which recently hit its highest level since 2022.

The takeaway

Buyers who wait on a used-car purchase may pay more as wholesale gains flow through to dealership pricing over the next several months. Comparing EV and non-EV options may also help offset affordability pressure in the current market.