Class 8 Used Truck Market Holds Steady as Pricing Gains Ground

Key Details Class 8 used truck sales hit 24,900 units in April, up 5.5% year-over-year but flat month-to-month. Retail prices climbed to $59,122, a 1.9% increase from last year, while average mileage rose slightly to 403,000 miles. ACT Research noted the seasonal pattern held relatively steady, with retail sales declining just 3.3% from March versus the typical 11% drop expected for the period. Market Performance Auction volumes dropped 52% sequentially as normal for quarter-end adjustments, while wholesale dealer activity rose 6.1%. J.D. Power reported auction prices rebounded 8.5% month-to-month after a weak March, though they remain 5.3% below year-ago levels. Retail pricing stayed relatively flat, increasing just 0.2% sequentially. Why It Matters Industry analysts attribute the stability to strengthening freight spot rates and healthy demand at dealership level. Used truck pricing historically tracks freight rates, and both metrics turned positive in late 2025 with momentum building through early 2026. Chris Visser at J.D. Power noted that combined strength in retail sales, pricing stability, and spot market improvement suggests the used truck market has entered positive territory after months of uncertainty.