How much have used car prices gone up since 2020?
+27.9% from the 2020 average to September 2026, so $100 of used cars in 2020 costs $127.86 now. All prices rose +30.2% over the same time (BLS CPI-U, not seasonally adjusted).
How much used car prices have gone up
-1.5% in the last 12 months, +27.9% since 2020 · BLS, September 2026
Last 12 months-1.5%all prices +3.7%
Since 2020+27.9%all prices +30.2%
Since 2000+18.4%all prices +95.7%
A year since 19532.67%all prices 3.52%
What $100.00 of used cars in 2020 costs in September 2026
$127.86- Used car prices since 2020
- +27.9%
- All prices since 2020
- +30.2%
- Slower than inflation by
- 2.3 points
Used car prices against all prices since 2000
Both indexes set to 100 in 2000. Used car prices have risen more slowly than prices overall since 2020.
Used car prices by year
| Year | Used car prices | All prices |
|---|---|---|
| Last 12 months | -1.5% | +3.7% |
| 2025 | +1.6% | +2.7% |
| 2024 | -3.3% | +2.9% |
| 2023 | -1.3% | +3.4% |
| 2022 | -8.8% | +6.5% |
| 2021 | +37.3% | +7.0% |
| 2020 | +10.0% | +1.4% |
| 2019 | -0.7% | +2.3% |
| 2018 | +1.4% | +1.9% |
| 2017 | -1.0% | +2.1% |
| 2016 | -3.5% | +2.1% |
| 2015 | +0.4% | +0.7% |
| 2014 | -4.2% | +0.8% |
| 2013 | +2.0% | +1.5% |
| 2012 | -2.0% | +1.7% |
| 2011 | +4.0% | +3.0% |
| 2010 | +3.7% | +1.5% |
| 2009 | +9.2% | +2.7% |
| 2008 | -8.1% | +0.1% |
| 2007 | +0.5% | +4.1% |
| 2006 | -2.2% | +2.5% |
| 2005 | +1.4% | +3.4% |
| 2004 | +4.8% | +3.3% |
| 2003 | -11.8% | +1.9% |
| 2002 | -5.5% | +2.4% |
| 2001 | -1.9% | +1.6% |
| 2000 | +3.4% | +3.4% |
| 1999 | +1.2% | +2.7% |
| 1998 | +3.5% | +1.6% |
| 1997 | -4.9% | +1.7% |
| 1996 | -1.6% | +3.3% |
| 1995 | +4.4% | +2.5% |
| 1994 | +8.8% | +2.7% |
| 1993 | +8.0% | +2.7% |
| 1992 | +7.4% | +2.9% |
| 1991 | +2.6% | +3.1% |
| 1990 | -2.2% | +6.1% |
| 1989 | -0.4% | +4.6% |
| 1988 | +3.4% | +4.4% |
| 1987 | +8.9% | +4.4% |
| 1986 | -5.1% | +1.1% |
| 1985 | -1.8% | +3.8% |
| 1984 | +7.0% | +3.9% |
| 1983 | +14.4% | +3.8% |
| 1982 | +10.9% | +3.8% |
| 1981 | +20.2% | +8.9% |
| 1980 | +18.2% | +12.5% |
| 1979 | +2.2% | +13.3% |
| 1978 | +13.7% | +9.0% |
| 1977 | -4.1% | +6.7% |
| 1976 | +19.0% | +4.9% |
| 1975 | +8.2% | +6.9% |
| 1974 | +22.8% | +12.3% |
| 1973 | -2.0% | +8.7% |
| 1972 | +7.2% | +3.4% |
| 1971 | -2.1% | +3.3% |
| 1970 | +7.5% | +5.6% |
| 1969 | +4.1% | +6.2% |
| 1968 | -4.9% | +4.7% |
| 1967 | +9.6% | +3.0% |
| 1966 | -3.4% | +3.5% |
| 1965 | -4.6% | +1.9% |
| 1964 | +3.0% | +1.0% |
| 1963 | +3.1% | +1.6% |
| 1962 | +6.3% | +1.3% |
| 1961 | +13.9% | +0.7% |
| 1960 | -12.9% | +1.4% |
| 1959 | +6.3% | +1.7% |
| 1958 | +8.9% | +1.8% |
| 1957 | +7.8% | +2.9% |
| 1956 | +6.3% | +3.0% |
| 1955 | -6.4% | +0.4% |
| 1954 | -11.3% | -0.7% |
| 1953 | -13.0% | +0.7% |
December to December, except the first row. U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, CPI-U series CUUR0000SETA02: Used cars and trucks. Source
Biggest moves
- Largest rises: 2021 (+37.3%), 1974 (+22.8%), 1981 (+20.2%).
- Largest falls: 1953 (-13.0%), 1960 (-12.9%), 2003 (-11.8%).
Cite or link to this page
Citation
insytesBI. (2026). Used car prices inflation since 1953. Data: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, CPI-U, September 2026. https://www.insytesbi.com/calculators/inflation/used-car-prices/Link
<a href="https://www.insytesbi.com/calculators/inflation/used-car-prices/">Used car prices inflation since 1953</a>Frequently asked questions
What is the inflation rate for used car prices now?
-1.5% over the 12 months to September 2026, against 3.7% for all prices.
When did used car prices rise the most?
In 2021: +37.3% from December to December. Next were 1974 (+22.8%) and 1981 (+20.2%).
Have used car prices risen faster than inflation?
No: since 2000 used car prices have changed +18.4%, against +95.7% for all prices. Since 1953 the average is 2.67% a year, against 3.52% for everything.
Where do these numbers come from?
The U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics consumer price index for used cars and trucks (series CUUR0000SETA02, U.S. city average, not seasonally adjusted), every month since 1953, refreshed after each monthly release.