In the event you’re in search of a used automotive, you may seemingly wrestle to discover a good, reasonably priced choice. The typical value of a three-year-old used automobile is up 40.9 % in comparison with the market in 2019, and the share of these automobiles that value below $20,000 is rapidly disappearing.
As we speak, a three-year-old used automotive prices, on common, $32,635, in line with a brand new iSeeCars research. That is a large enhance from the $23,159 common value in 2019. Six years in the past, the sub-$20,000 market made up 49.3 % of three-year-old used automobiles. Now, in 2025, solely 11.5 % of used automobiles on the market value below $20,000.
| Value Vary | Share % 2019 | Share % 2025 | Share % Change |
| Sub-$20,000 | 49.3% | 11.5% | -76.6% |
| $20,000-$30,000 | 32.7% | 43.0% | 31.5% |
| $30,000-$40,000 | 12.4% | 26.1% | 110.3% |
| $40,000-Plus | 5.6% | 19.4% | 245.7% |
The pandemic is one main purpose for the worth will increase. COVID-19 triggered a cascade of occasions that restricted new-car manufacturing and compelled automakers to concentrate on producing profit-rich fashions by 2021 and 2022. That has led to a smaller variety of reasonably priced used automobiles available on the market right now.
iSeeCars Government Analyst Karl Brauer stated that “the shortage of latest automotive manufacturing 5 years in the past has created a “pandemic hangover” impact for right now’s used automotive market. He says now that many patrons who can not afford late-model used automobiles are taking a look at older automobiles with extra miles.
In 2025, most three-year-old used automobiles are priced within the $20,000 to $30,000 vary, together with fashionable fashions just like the Honda Civic, Toyota Corolla, and Nissan Rouge. They’re up 44.6, 37.7, and 34.7 %, respectively. The proportion of used automobiles priced within the $30,000 to $40,000 and $40,000-plus ranges have additionally elevated, leaving cost-conscious patrons with fewer decisions.
What is the purpose once more for why we will not purchase these low cost Chinese language EVs? American customers are clamoring for cheaper automobiles after they’re solely getting costlier. Maybe the brand new Slate truck would possibly present some reduction.
