Used Car Prices Decline in May after Strong Spring
Black Book reports that five used car segments are experiencing price declines in May.
According to data from Black Book, five used car segments have resumed their price declines after a strong spring buying season, which is typically strong when shoppers purchase used vehicles with tax rebate money. Since the start of May, though, certain segments have made a significant reversal, which should continue over the next several months.
Entry mid-size car prices have declined 2.07% so far in May after prices stayed flat in April (-0.06%). Vehicles in this segment include the Chrysler 200, Ford Fusion, Volkswagen Jetta, Chevrolet Malibu, Buick Regal and Chrysler Sebring.
Entry-level cars have seen a 1.66% decline so far in May, following a 0.71% increase in prices during April. Vehicles in this segment include the Hyundai Accent, Chevrolet Aveo, Honda Fit, Kia Rio, Nissan Versa and Toyota Yaris.
Compact cars have dropped 1.05% this month after posting a 0.55% increase during April. Vehicles in this segment include the Honda Civic, Chevrolet Cobalt, Toyota Corolla, Chevrolet Cruze, Ford Fiesta, Ford Focus and Toyota Matrix.
“Several of the car segments have seen a noticeable drop in prices following the spring buying season due to a variety of factors that are economy- and demand-driven,” said Ricky Beggs, managing editor of Black Book. “With the buying season over, shoppers have turned to service vehicles like trucks, which are in demand from economy-driven construction projects.”
Here are the top five segments that have dropped the most in May compared with April prices:
Segment | May | April |
Entry Mid-Size Car | -2.07% | -0.06% |
Full-Size Car | -1.70% | -0.28% |
Entry-Level Car | -1.66% | 0.71% |
Upper Mid-Size Car | -1.22% | 0.03% |
Compact Car | -1.05% | 0.55% |
More Rental Operations

Southwest Airlines Selects CarTrawler For Its Car Rental Booking Platform
The platform is designed to allow customers to compare and book rental vehicles more easily during the travel booking process.
Read More →
Cross-Pressures, Evolving Trends Drive 2026 Rental Car Industry
A combination of cautious economic behavior, shifts in the rental vehicle market, and technological influences are shaping car rental operator decisions.
Read More →
Government Affairs Executive Wins Leading Rental Car Industry Award
Robert Muhs started in the car rental industry with Avis Budget Group two years before the first International Car Rental Show.
Read More →
Green Motion Expands Its African Presence with Mozambique Launch
This new rental car outlet reflects the growing demand for reliable transportation and the emphasis on sustainable travel across the continent.
Read More →
RentalMatics, GeoInt Partner On Rental Car Speed Tracking Tech
Rental operators can now detect and act on speeding while vehicles are still on rent, thereby reducing fines, admin workload, vehicle wear, and safety risks.
Read More →
NextPass Expands Toll Payment Service to Highway In Toronto
Fleets and consumer can use a transponder-less option when traveling between Canada and the U.S.
Read More →
Zubie, PurCo Integrate Rental Damage Detection With Telematics
The combination brings actionable vehicle insights into PurCo’s PurInspect platform, improving damage detection and operational efficiency for rental fleets.
Read More →
U.S. Length Of Rental (LOR) Declines Slightly in Q1 2026
LOR related to insurance claims overall continues to trend downward, but ongoing market and economic conditions could affect future results while the industry deals with staffing and productivity challenges.
Read More →
Hertz, Uber Deepen Roles In Self-Driving And Driver-Led Fleet Services
The business arrangement connects demand with scalable fleet management services and supports a range of mobility uses.
Read More →
Why Car Rental Can No Longer Run On Workarounds
The shift from branch-based software to connected operations is turning rental technology into strategic infrastructure.
Read More →
