According to the latest release of ACT Research’s State of the Industry: U.S. Classes 3-8 Used Trucks Flash, preliminary same dealer retail sales of used Class 8 trucks declined for a second consecutive month in September, falling 7% month-over-month.
While auction sales surged 28% and wholesale transactions slipped 6% from August, total preliminary sales across all channels were up 6% sequentially, signaling that demand for used trucks remains fundamentally solid despite mixed results by channel.
The preliminary average retail price for same dealer sales of used Class 8 trucks softened more than seasonally expected, dipping 1.5% from August to $61,000. Pricing in both auction and wholesale markets also contracted, with the combined preliminary average sale price for all units dropping 7.1% month-over-month.
“While tighter inventories have been a persistent theme, it’s clear that higher interest rates and ongoing challenges in the driver pool and fuel costs are also influencing the used truck market,” said Steve Tam, Vice President at ACT Research. “Despite these headwinds, the sequential uptick in total sales and continued strength in freight activity suggest that underlying demand for used equipment remains resilient.”
State of the Industry: U.S. Classes 3-8 Used Trucks Report Overview
ACT’s Classes 3-8 Used Truck report provides data on the average selling price, miles, and age based on a sample of industry data. In addition, the report provides the average selling price for top-selling Class 8 models for each of the major truck OEMs – Freightliner (Daimler); Kenworth and Peterbilt (Paccar); International (Navistar); and Volvo and Mack (Volvo). This report is utilized by those throughout the industry, including commercial vehicle dealers to gain a better understanding of the used truck market, especially as it relates to changes in near-term performance.
ACT Research Overview
ACT Research is recognized as the leading publisher of commercial vehicle truck, trailer, and bus industry data, market analysis and forecasts for the North America and China markets. ACT’s analytical services are used by all major North American truck and trailer manufacturers and their suppliers, as well as banking and investment companies. ACT Research is a contributor to the Blue Chip Economic Indicators and a member of the Wall Street Journal Economic Forecast Panel. ACT Research executives have received peer recognition, including election to the Board of Directors of the National Association for Business Economics, appointment as Consulting Economist to the National Private Truck Council, and the Lawrence R. Klein Award for Blue Chip Economic Indicators’ Most Accurate Economic Forecast over a four-year period. ACT Research senior staff members have earned accolades including Chicago Federal Reserve Automotive Outlook Symposium Best Overall Forecast, Wall Street Journal Top Economic Outlook, and USA Today Top 10 Economic Forecasters. More information can be found at www.actresearch.net.
Additional Resources
According to the latest State of the Industry: U.S. Classes 3-8 Used Trucks report by ACT Research, same dealer used Class 8 retail truck sales declined 24% month-over-month in August, counter to the typical seasonal increase, while the average retail sale price increased 2.2% to $64,367. Compared to August 2025, retail sales were up 12% year-over-year and prices rose 11%.
“The notable drop in used Class 8 sales this month is not necessarily a reflection of weaker demand, but more likely a result of tightening inventory,” said Steve Tam, Vice President at ACT Research. “Dealers across the country are reporting that used truck inventory is increasingly hard to come by, and our analysis of multiple advertising sources confirms that available units are down meaningfully from earlier in the year. With new truck sales also running below last year’s pace, fewer trades are making their way into the used market, supporting higher prices despite lower sales volumes.”
Compared to May 2026:
- Average retail volumes increased 10%.
- Retail price increased 2%.
- Miles increased 3%.
- Age declined 2%.
Compared to June 2025:
- Average retail volumes increased 28%.
- Price increased 2%.
- Miles increased 2%.
- Age declined 1%.
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