Used-Car Prices Fell for 25 Straight Weeks — Is This A Rare Buying Opportunity?
Written by
J. Arky
Edited by
Zuri Anderson
Commitment to Our Readers
GOBankingRates' editorial team is committed to bringing you unbiased reviews and information. We use data-driven methodologies to evaluate financial products and services - our reviews and ratings are not influenced by advertisers. You can read more about our editorial guidelines and our products and services review methodology.
20 Years
Helping You Live Richer
Reviewed
by Experts
Trusted by
Millions of Readers
Are you looking to get behind the wheel of a ride that’s new to you, but not to the road? Well, now might be the time to purchase a used car, with might being the key word. CarEdge saw that there was a sharp decline in the price of used cars across retail lots and wholesale auctions, putting the average cost of one at $25,512 in October 2025.
So does that mean it’s time to put your money down on a used automobile? GOBankingRates got a second opinion from Randy Barone, vice president of ACV Auctions, a publicly-traded online dealer-to-dealer car auction platform, to find out if this is a rare buying opportunity.
Getting A Great Deal Now
Right now is an excellent time for consumers to consider purchasing a used vehicle, according to Barone.
“Dealers are carrying unusually high levels of new-car inventory, especially 2025 models, and they are aggressively pushing to sell those units before year-end,” explained Barone, adding that as the dealers trade for more vehicles, used-car supply increases at the same time that winter typically brings a natural slowdown in retail demand.
“That combination creates a soft market with better pricing and broader selection,” Barone stated.
Explore Buying a Loaner Vehicle
Barone suggested that one of the best opportunities for consumers looking for a used car to buy is to look into service loaner vehicles.
“These are essentially new cars that franchise dealers put into loaner service with very low mileage and full factory warranty coverage,” Barone went on to say. “Manufacturers subsidize these programs, and dealers typically write down the vehicles while they are in service. As a result, buyers can often get a near-new vehicle at a used-car price — one of the best values in the market.”
End-of-Year Buying Incentives
As the year comes to a close, there are strong incentives for sellers to push discounts and markdowns on used cars that you can take advantage of.
“Dealers lose critical selling days to the holidays, so they push hard to meet monthly and annual sales targets in fewer days,” noted Barone. “Many stores run internal contests and bonus programs to maximize results, which often leads to deeper discounts for consumers.”
Don’t Wait Too Long
Barone cautioned that if you are waiting until January to purchase a used car, you could be at risk entering a much hotter market and not so great pricing.
“Historically, used-car prices rise early in the year when demand increases, and supply tightens,” Barone described. “So while there are always individual factors to consider, the current market conditions make December one of the most favorable times to buy a used vehicle before prices begin climbing again.”
More From GOBankingRates
