Used Truck Market Shows Stability Amid Mixed Signals, April Prices Rise

The used truck market has shown stability despite mixed signals, with April prices edging higher as sales held steady month to month. According to ACT Research, used Class 8 truck sales rose 5.5% year over year to 24,900 units, but were flat sequentially. The average retail sales price increased 1.9% to $59,122 from $58,025 the prior year. Analysts cited improving freight rates and stable demand, but warned of risks from tariffs, fuel costs, and policy uncertainty. J.D.

Power noted that auction pricing recovered from a weak March, while retail pricing was largely unchanged. The data showed retail selling prices increased 0.2% sequentially and 0.8% from 2025. Wholesale prices decreased 2.1% from the prior month and 3.1% from the previous year. Auction prices increased 8.5% sequentially but declined 5.3% from 2025. The used truck market has cycled back into positive territory, with sustained rate improvement, healthy retail sales, and stable pricing.

However, there are still ongoing risks pertaining to tariff volatility, fuel cost pressures, and policy uncertainty. The average mileage increased 0.8% to 403,000 from 400,000 a year ago, but declined 1.2% from 408,000 miles in March. The auction and wholesale markets were mixed in April, with auction volumes sinking 52% month to month, and wholesale dealer activity edging 6.1% higher month to month. The total market same dealer sales volumes were 23% lower month to month. The spot market’s strength is a supply-side phenomenon driven by structural factors, and the used truck market has cycled back into positive territory.

The retail truck age is stabilizing near 58 months, which is a full year younger than the long-term average.