Used cars: average price, best values and where to buy (November 2026)
Updated · By CarWhere Research · Source: active US dealer listings (licensed vehicle-data providers) · About this data
The average used car listed for sale in the US is $28,530 (CarWhere market data, November 2026, 2,799,802 priced dealer listings). The median is $23,993 at 60,597 miles, and the middle half of listings sit between $16,124 and $34,701.
Like for like — the same 92 models and 445 model years — asking prices are 0.9% lower than on Oct 25, 2026.
3,095,332 used and certified listings at US dealers on Nov 7, 2026; 2,799,802 showed a price. Asking prices, not what buyers paid. Prices by make and model →
Used car prices by type
Median and average dealer asking prices for each body style and powertrain, from the same Nov 7, 2026 snapshot.
| Type | Median price (USD) | Average price (USD) | Middle 50% (USD) | Median miles | For sale |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Used SUVs | $24,720 | $28,112 | $17,457–$34,080 | 51,797 | 1,570,270 |
| Used Pickup Trucks | $33,227 | $34,624 | $23,123–$43,138 | 69,631 | 543,336 |
| Used Sedans | $18,168 | $19,965 | $11,104–$23,927 | 69,554 | 570,034 |
| Used Minivans | $20,827 | $22,666 | $12,477–$30,382 | 79,429 | 77,490 |
| Used Hatchbacks | $16,949 | $20,209 | $10,080–$25,481 | 66,780 | 108,736 |
| Used Coupes | $28,704 | $60,698 | $16,315–$51,604 | 53,750 | 64,672 |
| Used Convertibles | $25,297 | $57,555 | $14,095–$54,349 | 49,722 | 40,140 |
| Used Wagons | $19,970 | $21,250 | $11,245–$27,675 | 79,173 | 27,335 |
| Used Electric Cars | $30,770 | $36,521 | $24,487–$41,475 | 26,893 | 71,672 |
| Used Hybrids | $31,545 | $33,319 | $25,472–$39,661 | 35,937 | 123,059 |
| Used Plug-in Hybrids | $28,971 | $43,475 | $23,936–$39,669 | 33,790 | 39,539 |
| Used Diesel Pickup Trucks | $46,416 | $47,331 | $33,947–$59,744 | 71,139 | 97,887 |
More segments — by budget, drivetrain and age — on the used car prices index (38 segments, 100 models).
What a used car costs per month
The Federal Reserve's G.19 consumer-credit release puts the average new-car loan rate at commercial banks at 7.54% for 60 months and 7.17% for 72 months in Q3 2026 (preliminary), up from 7.14% and 6.97% in Q2 2026. G.19 does not publish a used-car rate; lenders often price used-car loans higher, and your rate depends on credit, term and the car's age.
Worked example (illustration only)
$28,530 (the average asking price) financed in full × 7.54% APR × 60 months = $572.23 a month, or $5,804 in total interest. Before sales tax, fees, down payment or trade-in.
Rate source: Federal Reserve G.19, released November 6, 2026. Run your own numbers in the car payment calculator.
Best-value used cars right now
Method: models in the top two grades of our NHTSA complaint-rate ranking (owner complaints per 1,000 sold, 2015–2022 model years), compared with their segment's median asking price in the Nov 7, 2026 snapshot. Below the segment median = best value. Medians mix model years and miles, so check the model page for like-for-like years.
Reliable used SUVs — segment median $24,720
| Model | Complaint-rate grade | Median price (USD) | Median miles | vs. segment median | Years to avoid |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Nissan Murano | Best | $17,747 | 76,359 | 28% below | Check |
| Chevrolet Equinox | Above average | $19,263 | 61,416 | 22% below | Check |
| Nissan Rogue | Best | $20,445 | 51,126 | 17% below | Check |
| Kia Sportage | Above average | $22,948 | 34,615 | 7% below | Check |
| Mazda CX-5 | Best | $24,518 | 43,407 | 1% below | Check |
| Honda CR-V | Above average | $24,633 | 67,056 | 0% below | Check |
| Buick Enclave | Above average | $26,527 | 61,821 | 7% above | Check |
| Toyota Highlander | Above average | $27,723 | 86,109 | 12% above | Check |
| Nissan Pathfinder | Above average | $27,959 | 47,958 | 13% above | Check |
| Toyota RAV4 | Best | $28,621 | 54,734 | 16% above | Check |
| Lexus RX | Best | $30,164 | 73,559 | 22% above | Check |
Reliable used sedans — segment median $18,168
| Model | Complaint-rate grade | Median price (USD) | Median miles | vs. segment median | Years to avoid |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Volkswagen Jetta | Above average | $17,084 | 59,267 | 6% below | Check |
| Nissan Altima | Above average | $19,167 | 49,707 | 5% above | Check |
| Toyota Corolla | Best | $19,848 | 54,234 | 9% above | Check |
| Dodge Charger | Above average | $22,183 | 77,250 | 22% above | Check |
| Toyota Camry | Best | $23,846 | 63,235 | 31% above | Check |
Reliable used pickup trucks — segment median $33,227
| Model | Complaint-rate grade | Median price (USD) | Median miles | vs. segment median | Years to avoid |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Chevrolet Silverado 1500 | Best | $31,654 | 73,303 | 5% below | Check |
| Toyota Tacoma | Best | $33,135 | 55,206 | 0% below | Check |
Where to buy a used car
Franchise (new-car) dealers
Pro: Certified pre-owned programs, trade-ins and in-house financing in one place.
Con: Dealer fees and add-ons vary — negotiate the out-the-door price.
Independent used-car dealers
Pro: Often lower asking prices and older, cheaper inventory.
Con: Quality and reconditioning vary widely; inspection matters most here.
National used-car retailers (e.g. CarMax, AutoNation)
Pro: Large inventory, fixed or posted prices and return windows.
Con: Little room to negotiate; compare their price with the market first.
Online-only retailers (e.g. Carvana)
Pro: Buy from home with delivery and a return period.
Con: You cannot inspect before purchase; read the return terms closely.
Private sellers
Pro: Usually the lowest prices — no dealer overhead.
Con: Sold as-is, no dealer warranty; you handle title, payment and paperwork.
Wherever the car is listed, CarWhere's search shows dealer listings near you with a check against the market price for that model. Compare sites in the best used car websites.
Certified pre-owned (CPO)
8.2% of used dealer listings (255,086 cars) were certified pre-owned on Nov 7, 2026. A manufacturer CPO car has passed a brand inspection and carries an extended warranty; it costs more than a comparable non-certified car. Whether that premium pays off depends on the brand's program and the car's likely repair costs.
Before you buy a used car: checklist
- Know what to pay. Look up the model on CarWhere used car prices — median and typical range by model year and trim — or estimate a specific car with the car value estimator.
- Check the years to avoid. Even reliable models have weak years; see years to avoid and best years.
- Run the VIN. The free VIN check shows how many times the car was listed, by how many sellers, and its price cuts. The Used Car Report ($12.99) adds salvage records, salvage-auction records with photos, a stolen-vehicle check, an odometer check from listing readings, the full listing timeline and an open-recall scan.
- Get a pre-purchase inspection. Have an independent mechanic you choose inspect the car before you sign — especially from a private seller or independent lot.
- Compare financing. Get a pre-approval from a credit union or bank before you visit, then let the dealer try to beat it. See bank vs. dealer financing.
- Negotiate the out-the-door price. Agree on the total including fees, not the monthly payment. See how much you can negotiate on a used car.
Frequently asked questions
How much is a used car right now?
The average used car listed for sale in the US is $28,530 (CarWhere market data, November 2026, 2,799,802 priced dealer listings). The median is $23,993 at 60,597 miles, and the middle half of listings sit between $16,124 and $34,701. Asking prices are what dealers list, before negotiation, taxes and fees.
What is the average used car price in 2026?
As of Nov 7, 2026, the average asking price for a used or certified car at a US dealer is $28,530 and the median is $23,993. By type, the median is $18,168 for sedans, $24,720 for SUVs, $33,227 for pickup trucks and $30,770 for electric cars. The average runs above the median because a smaller number of high-priced trucks, luxury and performance cars pull it up.
Are used car prices going down?
Like for like — the same 92 models and 445 model years — asking prices are 0.9% lower than on Oct 25, 2026. That compares the same models and model years in two CarWhere snapshots, so a shift toward newer or older cars cannot fake a price move. Model pages under /used-car-prices show the change for each model.
Is it a good time to buy a used car?
Supply is broad: 3,095,332 used and certified cars were listed at US dealers on Nov 7, 2026, and half had been listed 46 days or less. Like for like — the same 92 models and 445 model years — asking prices are 0.9% lower than on Oct 25, 2026. Financing is the bigger swing factor: the Federal Reserve's average new-car loan rate at commercial banks was 7.54% for 60 months in Q3 2026 (preliminary), and used-car loans are often priced higher. The best time is when you have a pre-approved rate in hand and know the going price for the exact model you want.
What are the best value used cars?
Using CarWhere data — models in the top two grades of our NHTSA complaint-rate ranking (2015–2022 model years) whose median asking price is below their segment's median — the best-value picks right now include the Nissan Murano, Chevrolet Equinox, Nissan Rogue, Kia Sportage, Mazda CX-5, Honda CR-V. Check the years to avoid for any model before you buy; a strong model can still have weak model years.
What is the monthly payment on an average used car?
Example only: financing the full $28,530 average asking price for 60 months at 7.54% APR (the Federal Reserve G.19 average new-car loan rate at commercial banks, Q3 2026 (preliminary)) is about $572.23 a month and $5,804 in total interest, before tax, fees, down payment or trade-in. Your rate depends on your credit, the lender and the car's age.
Is a certified pre-owned car worth it?
Certified pre-owned cars were 8.2% of used dealer listings (255,086 of 3,095,332) on Nov 7, 2026. CPO adds a manufacturer inspection and extended warranty, which can be worth paying for on cars with expensive repairs; compare the CPO price with a similar non-certified car plus a third-party warranty quote before deciding.
Where is the best place to buy a used car?
It depends on what you value: franchise dealers carry certified cars and take trade-ins; independent lots are often cheaper but vary in quality; national used retailers such as CarMax, Carvana and AutoNation offer fixed prices and return windows; private sellers are usually cheapest but sell as-is. Wherever you shop, compare the price with the market for that model and get a pre-purchase inspection.
About this data
- Period
- Listings active on Nov 7, 2026 (snapshot)
- Filter
- Used and certified vehicles of all makes and model years at US dealers, all states
- Counts
- 3,095,332 listings (2,799,802 with a price); 38 segments and 100 models with price pages
- Method
- Average (mean), median and 25th–75th percentile asking price across all active used and certified pre-owned dealer listings with a price. The like-for-like change compares the same model years of the same models between two CarWhere snapshots, weighted by listings. Best-value picks join our NHTSA complaint-rate grades (2015–2022 model years) to these medians. Asking prices are what dealers list, not what buyers paid.
- Source
- Active used and certified listings at US dealers from licensed vehicle-data providers. Only aggregates are kept: counts, medians, averages and percentiles.
- Updates
- Refreshed from a new market snapshot on a regular schedule; last updated .