Jim Watson | AFP | Getty Images
It’s no secret that used-car prices have skyrocketed over the last two years amid an industry turned upside down by supply-chain issues and reduced new-car inventory.
But how much extra are consumers paying? An average of $10,046 more — 43% — than if typical depreciation expectations were in play, according to a June 30 snapshot of prices in the “Return to Normal” index released by CoPilot, a car shopping app.
The average price tag for a used vehicle is $33,341, a 0.5% increase from May and just $172 below the peak in March, the CoPilot research shows. If depreciation forecasts had held true, the average price would be $23,295, according to CoPilot’s index.
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Focus on your ‘personal economy,’ not a possible recession
“Despite signs of a slowing economy, rising interest rates and high fuel prices, the used-car market is holding firm,” said CoPilot CEO and founder Pat Ryan.
Consumer buying remains strong at least partly due to spillover demand from the new-car market. Supply-chain issues — primarily an ongoing shortage of computer chips — have left dealer lots with fewer new vehicles to sell.
It’s a ‘long road back to normal’
How to get the best price on a new or used vehicle
If you’re looking at getting a new (or used) vehicle, here are some tips from Edmunds:
- Know your trade-in value. The extra equity from a trade-in is your biggest negotiating tool in today’s market.
- Know your pre-approved interest rate (i.e., from a credit union or bank). Even if you have excellent credit, it’s good to get pre-approved for a loan and know what interest rate you qualify for — which helps determine how much car you can actually afford — and then see if a dealership will match or beat the rate you can get elsewhere.
- Know your overall budget. With prices and interest rates heading higher, you may not be able to afford as much car as you think. Consider costs aside from monthly payments, including depreciation, taxes, fees, fuel, maintenance and repairs.