Car Prices at U.S. Auctions: Growth and Decline Factors

A car today is no longer a luxury item; it is a necessity — a means of transportation for work, family errands, travel, and more. Not all prospective car owners in the United States, Ukraine, or the countries of the European Union consider purchasing a brand-new vehicle directly from an official dealer’s showroom, since it is expensive. At the same time, many people hesitate to turn to the secondary market because of the risks involved. Therefore, potential buyers place their bets on American car auctions, where it is quite possible to find an excellent vehicle at a reasonable price and have it delivered safely to their country with full legal support.

U.S. car auctions are popular for several significant reasons. The vehicles presented there in a huge variety often have excellent technical condition and a “clean history,” and they come with all the necessary documentation. Financially, the deal turns out to be advantageous, and there is also no risk of encountering dishonest sellers.

However, due to a number of factors (the political situation and the global climate in general), significant changes in prices have been observed, which raises questions and even concern. In order to dispel doubts and still become the happy owner of a reliable car from America, I will help you study the trends and choose the right time to make a purchase.

What’s happening in the U.S. car market today? 

In 2023 and 2024, the situation remained relatively stable. Prices didn’t show sharp spikes, and there wasn’t any noticeable hype around specific car brands or models. But in 2025 the situation changed somewhat, when the prices of many vehicles increased by about 3–4%, which is quite significant. While some models became cheaper, the majority did not show any real tendency toward price reductions.

It is possible that similar price jumps will occur in 2026. This applies to both the new and used car markets. Some vehicles have become less in demand, others no longer fit buyers’ budgets, and demand for certain models has suddenly increased, leading to stronger competition. I believe that Americans as well as buyers from other parts of the world will continue turning to auctions because of reasonable pricing and the generally good condition of the vehicles.

Although the European and Asian automotive markets remain strong, future car owners are not planning to leave the American market because they consider it more выгодным. In addition, vehicles from the United States are typically shipped by sea, which makes delivery much more cost-effective.

Why are prices for cars at auctions rising? 

Now it’s time to address the key questions that worry car buyers the most. Perhaps the most important one is why prices have increased at all and what factors have influenced them. 

1. On the primary market, there is a shortage of new vehicles, and political factors have played a significant role in this. A number of events and decisions have led to a lack of components needed for car production. Manufacturers have faced serious difficulties purchasing chips and electronic parts. As a result, factories cannot operate at full capacity; fewer cars are being produced, and prices are rising. So what do buyers do? They start looking toward auctions, where there are more options and prices are generally more affordable. 
2. Increased competition among buyers. This point deserves a bit more explanation. A few years ago, American auctions were mainly chosen by car buyers from Ukraine and Europe because they were considered safe platforms with a wide selection of vehicles, reasonable prices, and convenient cooperation terms. However, as more Americans have started turning to auctions themselves, the situation has changed somewhat. 
3. Rising repair costs. The affordability of repairs largely depended on the availability of spare parts. Today, this has become more complicated, as many parts are now subject to higher trade tariffs. As a result, servicing certain car brands has become significantly more expensive. 
4. Problems with sea transportation. Traditionally, this method of shipping vehicles was considered the most convenient. However, fuel prices are rising, there is a shortage of ships, and ports are experiencing capacity issues. Because of this, maritime shipping rates have increased. Delivery also takes longer now, which further affects the final cost of vehicles. 
5. Environmental regulations. In recent years, hybrids and electric vehicles have become especially popular because they produce a much smaller carbon footprint. 

In addition, the exchange rate of the U.S. dollar on the global market cannot be ignored. In my opinion, this is a significant factor for buyers from Ukraine and Europe.

What trends are emerging when it comes to price decreases?

It’s important to emphasize once again that not all vehicles have been affected by price increases. Some cars have actually dropped significantly in price, and experts mention fairly solid figures — around 10–12%.

So what options are available for buyers who want to purchase a vehicle and save money?

Used luxury cars have always ranked high in various lists. There’s something especially appealing about a luxury vehicle from the premium segment, even if it’s pre-owned. Some models naturally become cheaper over time, which is completely normal. That said, the situation with maintenance and spare parts is not entirely smooth. There are certain challenges, but they are not critical.

A rather controversial situation has developed around Elon Musk’s creations — Tesla Model 3 and Tesla Model Y. Initially, even new vehicles were priced lower compared to other models in the lineup (which naturally affected the prices of used ones as well). However, tax incentives were later removed, which led to price increases.

In 2025, sedans such as the Nissan Altima, Chevrolet Malibu, and Hyundai Elantra became cheaper, and they are expected to remain affordable in 2026. Why is this happening? The reason is that American consumer preferences have changed. Today, buyers increasingly prefer crossovers, which have become the most popular choice.

Which car brands have gotten more expensive?

 Below is a list of cars that have seen a noticeable price increase.

1. Honda CR-V.  A great car from a well-known manufacturer. According to available data, its price has increased by roughly 10–15%. Demand for this vehicle among American buyers has noticeably declined.
2. Jeep Grand Cherokee.  This iconic American car saw a significant price increase — about 12–17% in 2025 — and there are no clear signs that prices will drop in 2026. The model, like the brand itself, is known for strong performance and solid reliability. Buyers can also explore other vehicles.
3. Toyota RAV4.  For a long time, it remained a favorite among American drivers, largely because of its easy maintenance and fuel efficiency. However, due to tariffs and changes in production standards (many systems were upgraded), its price has risen by a record 20%.
4. Ford F-150.  Today, this vehicle has become quite expensive to manufacture and assemble, largely because global prices and tariffs on aluminum have increased. Even though it remains in demand, its price has risen by about 10–18%, which hasn’t gone unnoticed.

The list is rounded out by the Chevrolet Silverado. It’s a great vehicle, but its price has gone up slightly — by up to about 5%. This was driven by logistics issues, production challenges, and the introduction of new technologies.

When is the best time to buy a car in the U.S.?

For someone planning to buy a vehicle from the U.S., the challenge is finding the right “window of opportunity” — a moment when you can purchase a good car without overpaying.

Analysts at iSeeCars studied this throughout 2023 and 2024, trying to determine the best time to buy a vehicle. The same trend continued in 2025, and no major changes are expected in 2026.

Here’s when the highest number of car deals typically take place (approximately):

• New Year’s / New Year’s Eve — 47.9%
•  Martin Luther King Jr. Day — 43%
•  Presidents’ Day (February 15) — 37.6%
•  Christmas — 36%
•  Thanksgiving — 28.4%
•  Black Friday — 28.4%
•  Veterans Day — 12% 🚗

As the statistics show, the most favorable time to buy a car tends to be during the colder months. For example, the number of available deals increases by about 41.1% in January and 32.5% in December. The figure drops slightly in February to around 31.8%. The lowest demand during the fall and winter period — though still fairly steady — is seen in November, when about 10.3% of deals are made.

These patterns are largely influenced by weather conditions and the large number of holidays during this time.

Worst time to buy a car 

There are also months when buyers are strongly advised to stay away from auctions, since vehicle prices tend to reach their peak. Traditionally, this period falls during the warmer months, around spring and summer holidays.

June is often considered the worst month to buy a car, with the number of deals dropping by about 30%. May isn’t much better, showing a decline of around 28%. Starting in July (about 22.5%), the market gradually begins to recover, and by August the decline is only around 8.5%. In April, sales levels drop by roughly 16.7%.

As for specific holidays, the lowest numbers are recorded around Father’s Day (June 21) — about -33.1%. Close behind is Independence Day (July 4) at around -31%. Experts place Juneteenth (June 19) in third place, with the number of deals decreasing by about 30%.