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New Car Inventory in 2025: Winners and Losers in October
In October 2025, U.S. dealerships have 2.83 million new vehicles in stock, representing an increase from this spring’s car buying rush.
Retail sales of new vehicles have followed seasonal patterns this year. Although trade wars, global instability, and broader economic conditions have all added complexity to today’s car market, 2025 has mostly been good news in terms of inventory.
Here are important definitions that will help you understand and interpret the car market data below:
Market Day supply: This is the number of days needed to sell all vehicles in inventory, based on the previous month’s daily selling rate. Learn more about MDS.
Inventory: This is the unit count of vehicles on hand at dealerships, factory lots, ports of entry, and in transit.
All data is sourced from CarEdge Pro and Cox Automotive.
Let’s dive in!
Cars with the Most and Least Inventory in October 2025
As we can see below, Stellantis brands, Ford, and Mazda have the most inventory among the mainstream automakers. Toyota and Honda brands have the least inventory, and as a result, the least negotiable prices.
| Brand | Brand Days of Supply (MDS) | Total New Inventory | Trend (MDS) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Total New Market | 79 | 3,021,724 | Steady |
| Acura | 98 | 30,024 | higher |
| Audi | 103 | 48,335 | Lower |
| BMW | 80 | 66,637 | Higher |
| Buick | 104 | 44,201 | Higher |
| Cadillac | 101 | 45,385 | Steady |
| Chevrolet | 76 | 312,715 | Steady |
| Chrysler | 124 | 11,639 | Higher |
| Dodge | 112 | 17,722 | Steady |
| Ford | 106 | 476,793 | Steady |
| GMC | 88 | 132,149 | Steady |
| Genesis | 124 | 23,096 | Higher |
| Honda | 57 | 187,202 | Lower |
| Hyundai | 84 | 200,666 | Lower |
| Infiniti | 98 | 11,597 | Steady |
| Jeep | 123 | 142,348 | Higher |
| Kia | 80 | 165,396 | Lower |
| Lexus | 37 | 37,421 | Lower |
| Lincoln | 119 | 29,093 | Steady |
| Mazda | 94 | 89,045 | Lower |
| Mercedes-Benz | 98 | 73,289 | Steady |
| Mini | 138 | 10,548 | Higher |
| Mitsubishi | 109 | 15,363 | Lower |
| Nissan | 102 | 172,674 | Steady |
| Porsche | 85 | 14,226 | Lower |
| Ram | 149 | 126,961 | Higher |
| Subaru | 83 | 124,820 | Higher |
| Toyota | 34 | 264,164 | Lower |
| Volkswagen | 105 | 83,465 | Steady |
New Car Inventory By Make in October 2025
To provide car buyers with additional insights, we’ve pulled the latest inventory data for the best-selling cars in America for top brands. Looking for local data? Check out CarEdge Pro.
Ford Inventory Levels
| Make | Model | Day Supply | Total For Sale | Inventory Trend |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Ford | F-150 | 103 | 109,017 | Steady |
| Ford | Explorer | 81 | 39,068 | Lower |
| Ford | Escape | 95 | 30,878 | Lower |
| Ford | Bronco Sport | 124 | 40,100 | Steady |
See Ford listings near you with local market data
Chevrolet Inventory Levels
| Make | Model | Day Supply | Total For Sale | Inventory Trend |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Chevrolet | Silverado 1500 | 86 | 70,152 | Lower |
| Chevrolet | Equinox | 68 | 40,736 | Lower |
| Chevrolet | Traverse | 75 | 25,430 | Higher |
| Chevrolet | Trailblazer | 76 | 16,432 | Lower |
| Chevrolet | Trax | 47 | 24,639 | Lower |
See Chevrolet listings near you with local market data
Toyota Inventory Levels
| Make | Model | Day Supply | Total For Sale | Inventory Trend |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Toyota | RAV4 | 38 | 60,855 | Higher |
| Toyota | Camry | 16 | 22,029 | Lower |
| Toyota | Corolla | 20 | 17,892 | Lower |
| Toyota | Highlander | 42 | 7,128 | Higher |
| Toyota | Tacoma | 49 | 60,489 | Steady |
See Toyota listings near you with local market data
Honda Inventory Levels
| Make | Model | Day Supply | Total For Sale | Inventory Trend |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Honda | CR-V | 54 | 51,749 | Steady |
| Honda | Civic | 50 | 19,734 | Lower |
| Honda | Accord | 69 | 28,601 | Steady |
| Honda | Pilot | 60 | 17,669 | Steady |
See Honda listings near you with local market data
Hyundai Inventory Levels
| Make | Model | Day Supply | Total For Sale | Inventory Trend |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Hyundai | Tucson | 106 | 51,764 | Steady |
| Hyundai | Elantra | 85 | 30,877 | Lower |
| Hyundai | Santa Fe | 92 | 35,661 | Steady |
| Hyundai | Palisade | 50 | 23,789 | Lower |
| Hyundai | Kona | 80 | 12,128 | Higher |
See Hyundai listings near you with local market data
Kia Inventory Levels
| Make | Model | Day Supply | Total For Sale | Inventory Trend |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Kia | K4 | 46 | 15,055 | Lower |
| Kia | Telluride | 62 | 15,704 | Steady |
| Kia | Sorento | 102 | 24,141 | Steady |
| Kia | Carnival | 99 | 16,273 | Higher |
See Kia listings near you with local market data
Mazda Inventory Levels
| Make | Model | Day Supply | Total For Sale | Inventory Trend |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Mazda | CX-5 | 137 | 34,185 | Higher |
| Mazda | CX-30 | 106 | 13,560 | Lower |
| Mazda | CX-50 | 101 | 25,025 | Lower |
| Mazda | CX-90 | 36 | 6,846 | Lower |
See Mazda listings near you with local market data
Subaru Inventory Levels
| Make | Model | Day Supply | Total For Sale | Inventory Trend |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Subaru | Outback | 79 | 30,486 | Lower |
| Subaru | Crosstrek | 86 | 45,287 | Lower |
| Subaru | Forester | 72 | 22,928 | Steady |
| Subaru | Ascent | 101 | 7,757 | Higher |
See Subaru listings near you with local market data
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Used Car Price Trends in 2022
Updated for 2023: https://caredge.com/guides/used-car-price-trends-in-2023
Used car prices trends for 2022 have been interesting. In 2021, unlike any other time in history, used car prices increased. What used to be a depreciating hunk of metal was an appreciating asset, but the car price bubble wasn’t sustainable in the long term. With used car prices remaining volatile, it’s never been more important to track the value of your car.
During the first quarter of 2022 used car prices dropped nearly 5% on the wholesale markets. Springtime brought another increase in used car prices. As we approach autumn, we’ve now seen 24 consecutive weeks of used car prices dropping at the wholesale level. Used car prices are going down, as you’ll see in the latest data below.
While wholesale used car prices have declined significantly over the past ten weeks, retail used car prices have remained fairly steady. That may soon change. The demand for used cars has weakened in recent weeks, and we’re now seeing increases in used vehicle listings as cars sit on the lot longer.
Used car prices in 2023 will continue to decrease. Higher interest rates combined with greater new car inventory will continue downward pressure on used car prices in 2023.
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👉 Bookmark this page. Just like we did last year, each week we’ll update this URL with the latest used car price trends. Our hope is that by being informed of the trends in used car prices you can make smart financial decisions about when to trade-in, sell, or buy a car.
Without further ado, let’s dive in.
Used Car Prices 2022 – December 2022 Update
As of December, used car prices declined (at wholesale auctions) for 24 weeks in a row. We expect this trend to increasingly translate to retail sales.
What types of used cars are dropping, which are increasing? Is now a good time to buy a used car? Should you sell your car now, or wait for prices to go back up? Let’s answer those questions and more.
Car prices are going down. Is the car bubble bursting? Let’s look at the data.
Through April , used car and SUV prices declined by ~5%. This was more depreciation than we’d expect in a “normal” year for the same time period. The rate of depreciation increased in February from January, however the trend reversed in March and April.
In May and June, we saw a reversal, with used car and SUV prices increasing week-over-week on the wholesale market. In December, the overall market is dropping, with no vehicle classes continuing to appreciate.
The overall wholesale used car market saw prices drop -0.88% last week. Cumulatively, used car prices have dropped -19% at the wholesale level over the past 6 months.
Used car prices (wholesale)
Mass-market car segments dropped the most last week. Compact and sub-compact cars dropped by over -1%, mid-size cars by -0.86%, and full-size cars by -0.43%. Overall luxury car prices fell by about 1% last week.
All used car segments saw declining prices last week, with an average of -0.86%. The week before, car prices were down -0.87%.
Used Truck Prices (Wholesale)
We are now seeing a sharp reversal in light-duty truck segments. The overall truck segment decreased -0.90% last week. Compact crossover prices declined the most, by -1.20%.
Mainstream crossover and SUV prices all fell by between -0.79% and -1.20% last week.
Since the onset of the pandemic, full-size vans have appreciated more than 60%. Now, we’ve seen wholesale full-size van prices drop about -5.0% in the past two months. This week, van prices dropped -0.41% in one week.
Year-Over-Year Prices Remain High
The graph below looks at trends in wholesale prices of 2-6-year-old vehicles, indexed to the first week of the year.
Retail used car prices are finally declining
When will retail used car prices go down? Black Book’s weekly price index suggests that used car prices will steadily drop in 2023, after four months of slow but steady price declines in 2022. We expect prices to continue falling into 2023 due to the combined effects of higher interest rates restricting buying and the greater availability of new cars, which often have competitive promotional APRs.
We’re starting to see retail prices come down. Cars are also sitting on the lot for longer. As more vehicles sit on the lot, dealers will be more willing to negotiate.
Use this negotiation cheat sheet to stay in control of your deal
Older used cars have appreciated most
A new phenomenon we have begun tracking is that older used cars are appreciating more rapidly than younger used cars.
This is primarily a function of consumer demand. Retail customers that want to purchase a car at a sub $20,000 price-point are being forced to look at older used vehicles because the new ones have increased in value beyond their budget. This is scary, crazy, and a whole host of other words.
Is now a good time to buy a used car?
Wait until at least mid-September to buy a car. We expect to see retail prices decline beginning in early September, following eleven weeks of wholesale declines.
Used cars are sitting on the dealer lots for longer, and that creates better conditions for negotiating a better deal.
When should I sell my car to get the most money?
Sell as soon as you can. Used car prices are already dropping, and we expect retail prices to decline more in September.
To sell your car for the most money, be sure to read this guide.
How much did used car prices increase in 2021?
Depending on who you ask (Cox Automotive, Edmunds, CarGurus, or Black Book), retail used car prices increased anywhere from 32% to 36% in 2021.
Black Book shows a 35% increase in retail used car prices for 2021 (the purple line). For comparison, the orange line shows a 7% appreciation for used car prices in 2020, and the blue line shows a 3% depreciation of used car values for 2019.
Here’s a month-over-month table showing used car price trends for 2021:
| Month | Average Used Car Price |
| January | $22,112 |
| February | $21,573 |
| March | $21,343 |
| April | $22,568 |
| May | $24,414 |
| June | $25,101 |
| July | $25,500 |
| August | $25,890 |
| September | $26,548 |
| October | $27,067 |
| November | $27,569 |
| December | $29,000 |
This data, supplied by Cox Automotive, shows the incredible ascent used car prices took in 2021.
Used van prices increased the most
Different types of vehicles have appreciated more than others. Vans have increased in value the most of all used cars. Take a look at this chart and data from CarGurus.
In 2021 used van prices increased over 56%, whereas CarGurus’ data showed a more modest (yet still insane) 34% increase for used car prices in general.
Used van prices have increased the most across vehicle segments for a few reasons:
- Vans are typically lower profit new vehicles for automakers, and as a result of not having enough chips to produce new vehicles, automakers are drastically limited production of new vans;
- Many people have taken to converting vans into their living quarters;
- Many businesses that previously would have bought their vans from fleet sales are going to the used market to find supply.
For these reasons, and many more, used van prices have increased the most of any segment of vehicle.
Wholesale used car price trends are even crazier
Every used car has two prices; the wholesale price, and the retail price. As consumers we typically concern ourselves with the retail price, and with good reason, unless you have a dealer’s license you can’t buy a car wholesale at an auction.
That being said, wholesale used car prices are the lifeblood of car dealers, and the used car price trends we saw on the wholesale side in 2021 were truly unfathomable. While retail used car prices increased ~36% in 2021, wholesale used car prices rose 52%.
There is an obvious interplay between wholesale and retail prices. As wholesale prices increase, we can expect retail to prices to do the same. Here at CarEdge we are concerned that retail prices will stay highly elevated for a long time (potentially all the way through the fall of 2022) because car dealers will not want to discount their inventory that they grossly overpaid for earlier in the year.
Interactive data
Thanks to our friends at foureyes, we can share with you this real-time updating data set on used and new car prices.
When Will Used Car Prices Drop in 2022?
As you’re well aware, used cars aren’t supposed to appreciate, however in 2021, used car prices have increased by nearly 50% across the industry. That has led many of us consumers to utter a question we never thought we’d have to say, “When will used car prices drop?”
In “normal” times, used car prices are always dropping (they’re depreciating assets after all), however as the chip shortage and supply chain challenges have reared their ugly heads, we’ve seen some used cars appreciate to levels that were once incomprehensible. Many one to two year old used cars have sold for more than their original MSRP — it’s truly insane!
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In this article we present to you our best bet as to when used car prices will drop in 2022. And yes, we do think there will be some sort of price drop in 2022. This article is based on many data sources, such as this report from Boston Consulting Group on the chip shortage, a recent white paper from KPMG, and ongoing data analysis from the team at Black Book.
If you find this content valuable and helpful, please consider sharing it with a friend or family member. Let’s dive in.
Used car prices will go down in 2022
Let’s start here; our prediction is that used car prices will begin to drop in 2022. The natural next question is “when?” To answer that, let’s look at what the “experts” are saying:
- Cox Automotive thinks wholesale used car prices will peak between January and April of 2022
- KPMG says a “20 to 30 percent plunge in used-vehicle prices” could happen before October of 2022
- Data from Black Book shows a “softening trend” in wholesale prices as we reach the end of 2021, a potential indicator of prices declining in 2022
It’s important to understand that there are two prices for each used car that is sold in the United States; the wholesale price, and the retail price. Wholesale used car prices are the prices dealers have to pay for inventory, and retail used car prices are what us consumers pay at the dealership.
Wholesale used car prices
Black Book’s data shows us that wholesale used car prices have increased upwards of 50% in 2021, while retail prices have only increased by 35%. There is an inherent and obvious relationship between wholesale and retail prices, and retail prices typically trail the movement of the wholesale market.
Recently, we have begun to see softening on wholesale used car prices. From Black Book:
The softening trend continued this past week, with the overall market slowing the rate of increase, sales rates declining, and more segments reporting decreases in prices compared to the week prior.
It appears as if the wholesale used car market is plateauing. This is a good sign, however retail prices will likely continue to rise for months to come. This is in part because dealers who bought used cars at inflated wholesale prices will hold on to them until they can find a retail customer to purchase. In prior years, dealers would be more interested in “turning” their inventory so that they could mitigate interest costs on the vehicle, however since interest rates are very low right now that likely won’t be a driving factor.
Retail used car prices
While wholesale car prices soften, we expect retail used car prices to continue to increase through the first quarter of 2022, especially amidst tax season. We also expect wholesale prices to increase (although less rapidly) in the first quarter.
Consumer availability to credit is high. A recent survey from the Federal Reserve showed that some financial institutions loosened their lending standards. As a result we expect consumers to continue to have relatively easy availability to financing for their vehicles purchases. This will also keep retail used car prices high, since dealers will be able to find financing options for their customers that get them to a comfortable monthly payment.
During the “spring selling season” we will continue to see increases in used car prices. It is by the summer that we anticipate some signs of price declines in wholesale and retail used car prices. The KPMG white paper proposes that used car prices could drop significantly as early as October of 2022, and we agree with them. Prices may continue to stay inflated if new car production continues to be hampered in 2022, however signs are pointing to automakers getting through the worst of their production issues.
Fall of 2022 is when used car prices will drop
As we survey the landscape of the automotive industry, it seems clear that the fall of 2022 represents the most likely time for used car prices to drop in 2022. Traditionally the fall and winter months are when used car depreciate the most. This seasonality, paired with increases in new car production, and likely increases in interest rates, should ultimately drive some downward pressure on used car prices.
One factor that we cannot account for is the potential for government tax incentives on electric vehicles. While Congress has yet to pass a bill that contains EV tax credits for 2022, there is a lot of speculation that they will. proposed credits would significantly increase consumer demand in new and used vehicles, and if this were to happen, it may very well offset the downward pressures on used car prices.
There are also a lot of questions surrounding new car production. While manufacturer’s such as Toyota have published press releases signaling they’re through the worst of their manufacturing woes, only time will tell if that’s actually true. Boston Consulting Group thinks it will be 2025 when new car production meets demand, so questions still remain about how much new car inventory will be available in 2022.
If manufacturers are unable to improve new car supply in 2022 we could see used car prices continue to increase. Our best guess is that automakers will be able to incrementally improve their new car supply throughout the year. We are already seeing signs of this in 2021 as AutoForecast Solutions has begun to revise their worst-case chip shortage estimations downward instead of upwards.
3 Car Search Websites You Should Actually Use
Car search websites are everywhere. Google search “cars for sale” and you’ll be greeted by tons of advertisements. It makes sense why — car dealers are willing to pay for leads, so in-turn car search engines are willing to pay to get car shoppers to visit their websites.
The issue with traditional car search websites (like AutoTrader, TrueCar, and CarGurus) is that they all prioritize the experience for their customers — the dealers that pay for those ads — and not the consumers (you and me). As a result if you try and use any of the name brand car search sites you’ll quickly realize you’re in for fake prices, spammy phone calls, and “sponsored” listings everywhere.
Today we decided to share the 3 car search websites we like to use to cut through the noise and actually get good information during our car search. No one has sponsored us or paid to be a part of this post.
Let’s dive in.
CarEdge – The best car search website
CarEdge does a few things right when it comes to building a truly consumer friendly car search website. First and foremost, we like that there are:
- No car dealer ads
- No lead-gen forms
- No spam calls
- No fake prices
If you’ve ever searched for a car on one of the traditional car search engines you know how frustrating it is to see one price, fill out the form, get multiple phone calls, and then learn that the “real” price is much higher than what was advertised online. CarEdge solves this problem with their simple and intuitive car search site.
CarEdge has new, used, and certified pre-owned search filters. There are no sponsored listings or ads on the website. This might not sound like a big deal, but once you experience an ad-free car search website you won’t want to go back. The TotalPrice shows you how much you should really expect to pay for the car you are interested in, and the “coaching” from former dealers is useful and helpful.
The negotiation insights and 4 step buying guide are really helpful, especially for car shoppers who want to get the best deal possible.
What we like
- No ads
- No lead-gen forms
- We love the TotalPrice
- The 4 step buying guide is super helpful (especially the email templates)
- Seeing the extended warranty price is helpful
What we don’t like
- We want to be able to save searches
- No “favorite” vehicles option
- It would be great to see what the TotalPrice would be with my trade-in
CarEdge – The best cost of ownership info
Many car buyers focus on performance, safety, tech, or comfort when it comes to their vehicle. CarEdge isn’t trying to change that, but they do want consumers to put a bit more focus on cost of ownership. Remember, cars (usually!) are depreciating assets! This means that after a few years of ownership you could be thousands of dollars underwater in your new ride.
CarEdge wants car buyers to make smarter financial decisions, and to do that they have invested a lot of time and money into building a great car search website with vehicle depreciation and cost of ownership data. CarEdge might not have the “sexiest” website, but their data is unparalleled in the industry. We don’t know of any other car search websites where you can get detailed depreciation, maintenance, and total cost of ownership data on a particular year, make, model, and trim of vehicle FOR FREE!
What we like
- The depreciation calculator is super customizable
- The maintenance and repairs estimates are detailed
- The CarEdge Value Rating is a helpful “at a glance” indicator of a vehicle’s future resale value
What we don’t like
- Ads … They’re EVERYWHERE. We get it, they need to keep the lights on, but the ads are everywhere
- The user interface isn’t that pretty (but it is functional!)
- Sometimes it can feel like information overload
AutoTempest – The best search for used cars
One of the most common questions we get at CarEdge is, “How can I find the exact used car I am looking for, with the right packages, options, etc?” The answer is, it’s really hard! We know a lot of car shoppers are looking for ways to get window stickers on used cars, and while AutoTempest doesn’t have a solution for that (no one really does), they do have a REALLY powerful used car search engine that DEFINITELY helps you zero in on the car you’re looking for.
AutoTempest is a car search aggregator. They pull together listings from multiple sources into one search. Think of AutoTempest like Kayak but for used cars.
Through their partnerships with Cars.com, TrueCar, Carvana, and more, AutoTempest is able to provide the most comprehensive used car search on the internet. Take a look at the initial search page … That’s a lot of options! AutoTempest is seriously the industry leader when it comes to filtering and options for used cars.
What we like
- The most robust used car search website we’ve ever used
- The filters! There are so many filters!
- Listings alerts (you can get emails when your search updates)
What we don’t like
- Ads … They’re not as prevalent as CarEdge, but they sure are there
- Using the site at first can be a little intimidating (information overload)
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Should I Buy a Car Now or Wait until 2022?
Everyday we receive dozens of questions from the CarEdge Community. Recently one question has appeared more and more frequently, “Should I buy a car now or wait until 2022?” Traditionally, the end of the year is the best time to buy a new or used car, and that’s because car dealerships have sales quotas they are trying to attain before the end of the year. If they achieve their sales quotas they get large checks from the manufacturer.
That being said, everything in 2021 has been abnormal, and for the first time since 1896 (the year the first car dealership opened!), automakers aren’t waving hundreds of thousands of dollars in “incentives” in front of their dealers. Instead, this year, unlike any other, end of year quotas aren’t in effect. If a dealership has a quota, it is self-imposed, and not from the manufacturer. As a result, our expectation is that end of year car deals will less attractive than in years past.
With that in mind the question remains, “Should I buy a car now or wait until 2022?” Let’s dive in and answer that!
Is it better to buy a new or used car right now?
Let’s kick things off with a quick discussion on buying new vs. used right now. In today’s market there is a short supply of both new and used vehicles. How tight is supply? Typically there are 2 to 3 million new cars in inventory at any given time. Right now that number is less than 1 million.
Search all new and used car inventory in one place! 👉 Try CarEdge’s FREE Car Search
Used car inventories are not doing much better. Because of the lack of new car supply, more and more consumers and businesses (think rental car companies) have been buying up used cars. That, paired with that fact that very few lease cars are coming back to the market (and with good reason, most people are buying out their leases and making a profit), we’re in a situation were used car prices are up more than 50% in 2021 alone!
This is as good a time as ever to remind you that if you don’t need to buy a car right now, you really shouldn’t. Prices on both the new and used car side are astoundingly high. However, in our estimation, new cars are a better value right now than used cars. That because we have seen CarEdge members get deals at MSRP on new cars, which represents a way better value than buying a comparable 2 or 3 year old used car for it’s original MSRP with tens of thousands of miles on it.
Is it better to buy new or used right now? The answer, if you can afford it, is buy new.
Should I buy a new car right now?
If you do decide to buy a new car right now be prepared for the process. Many dealerships do not have inventory on their lot, and that means you’ll be placing a factory order. We have a complete step-by-step guide to factory ordering for FREE that you can use.
Your goal for a new car deal should be MSRP + dealer doc fee + taxes + registration. If a dealership is trying to add on thousands of dollars in extras, you can and should negotiate on them.
The amount of negotiating leverage you have will also depend on the local area supply of vehicles. For example, if you’re looking to buy a new 2022 Subaru Outback, it’s helpful to know that the days supply of inventory right now is 5. Compare that to the days supply of inventory of a new 2021 Ford EcoSport which has a days supply well north of 100. You are much more likely to get a car dealer to negotiate on the EcoSport (which has been discontinued), then you will with a Subaru dealership. It’s simply because they have more supply of the EcoSport than the Outback.
Deal School 2.0 is 100% FREE: 👉 Learn how to negotiate right now!
If you chose to buy a new car in this market, this type of local market analysis can help you come in prepared (and with realistic expectations) for your car deal. You can capture all of this data for free by simply using the car search on caredge.kinsta.cloud.
Should I buy a used car right now?
Used car prices are through the roof. There is no other time in history where we have seen used car prices appreciate as much as they have in 2021.
Should you buy a used car right now, even at the end of the year? No. Not unless you absolutely cannot afford a new car, or cannot afford to wait for a factory order. If you do decide to buy a used car their are a few tactics you can use to determine if you are paying a fair price (relative to the current market conditions).
The first suggestion we have if you are buying a used car is to see what Black Book, Carvana, and Vroom would pay to buy the car if you were selling it to them. To do this you can simply take the VIN of the vehicle you are interested in purchasing, and run it in Black Book, Carvana, and Vroom. See the short video below.
CarEdge Members get 10% your LemonSquad Pre-Purchase Inspection: 👉 Get my discount!
Once you’ve seen the valuations from Black Book, Carvana, and Vroom, you should have a pretty good sense for if the vehicle is priced fairly. If it is, when you contact the seller be sure to get the out the door price (we encourage you to use our free email templates to do that), and then request a pre-purchase inspection. We have a complete guide to pre-purchase inspections here.
FREE car buying tools & resources
To recap, you should only buy a car right now if you need to, not it if you want to. That being said, if you do buy a car right now, we think new cars represent a better value than used cars. In your quest to find a car dealer who will sell you a new car at MSRP, here are a few resources you should reference:
- Deal School
- CarEdge Member reviewed dealerships
- CarEdge vehicle search (with email templates)
- CarEdge Live chat support
- CarEdge Review my deal forum
We hope this helps you answer the, “Should I buy a car now or wait until 2022” question. CarEdge is here to help you as you navigate one of the strangest and most difficult car buying markets of all time.
Here are comments from CarEdge Community members on the original post that inspired this article.
