Wholesale used-vehicle values eased in the first half of August

What the mid-August index shows

Cox Automotive's August 19 update puts the mid-August Manheim Used Vehicle Value Index at 207.4, down 1.2% from July after adjusting for vehicle mix, mileage, and normal seasonal patterns, and roughly flat compared with August 2025. Cox Automotive senior director Jonathan Gregory said wholesale values eased in the first half of August by slightly more than the recent-year average, but remained within normal historical ranges.

Non-adjusted wholesale prices fell 0.8% from July and were 0.2% lower than a year earlier. These are attributed industry data reflecting the first 15 days of August, not a government statistic or a forecast of future prices.

Performance varied by vehicle segment

Cox Automotive reported that compact cars and EVs outperformed the broader wholesale market, up 2.2% and 5% year over year, respectively, while midsize cars, SUVs, and pickups underperformed. Those segment moves apply to vehicles represented in Manheim's wholesale data and should not be generalized to every model, trim, or condition.

Wholesale, retail, and appraisal values are different

The Manheim index tracks vehicles sold through wholesale auction channels and is designed to show market movement after statistical adjustments. It does not report the price a consumer paid at a dealership or in a private sale, and it cannot value one specific vehicle.

What buyers and sellers can do

• Compare current local listings and recent transactions for the same model year, trim, mileage range, and condition rather than relying on a national index alone.
• For a used purchase, obtain a vehicle history report and arrange an independent pre-purchase inspection.
• For a trade-in or private sale, document maintenance, condition, and equipment instead of pricing solely from a wholesale benchmark.
• Treat a mid-month reading as a partial, preliminary signal; Cox Automotive typically revises the figure when it publishes the full-month result.