Used Class 8 truck prices rise 10% after two years of stagnation

ACT Research reported an increase in the average retail price of used Class 8 trucks during the month of June.

For the first time in two and a half years, ACT Research reported an increase in the average retail price of used Class 8 trucks during the month of June. The average price reached $60,324, representing a 10.4% increase compared to the same month last year. In June 2024, the average price stood at $54,621. This marks the first year-over-year increase since December 2022.

According to ACT Research Vice President Steve Tam, volatility in the freight market is creating a ripple effect in the truck sector. As a result, many sales professionals are opting to acquire used trucks under favorable conditions. This trend could be linked to the recent impact of tariffs or could be part of the broader crisis that the trucking industry has been facing for several years.

Used Class 8 truck sales up 9.2%

In June 2025, sales of used Class 8 trucks rose by 9.2%, reaching 22,600 units compared to 20,700 in June 2024. However, the volume remained relatively unchanged from the previous month.

The trucks sold in June had more favorable characteristics, being newer and having lower mileage. This ongoing trend was reflected in a 4.7% year-over-year decrease in average mileage, from 423,000 to 403,000 kilometers. Compared to the previous month, mileage dropped by 2.2%, from 412,000 kilometers, according to data reported by Transport Topics.

Meanwhile, in the financial sector linked to transportation, some industry players perceive that the market continues to show signs of weakness. While certain companies have managed to stay afloat, activity levels have not met the usual expectations for this time of year. This slowdown is affecting various areas across the sector.

Used Class 8 sales rise: economic indicator or seasonal trend?

On the other hand, the slowdown in new truck sales may also be impacting the used truck market. According to industry experts, a lack of orders and staff cuts at major fleets are slowing down new vehicle production. This situation could put upward pressure on the used market, as limited availability of new units tends to drive up the prices of used models. Even smaller fleets are facing challenges in receiving the new trucks they’ve ordered, and in some cases, orders are already being canceled.

At the same time, recent reports indicate that Class 8 truck auctions continue to follow typical seasonal patterns. There has been an increase in the number of three-to-five-year-old sleeper cab tractors sold through auctions and retail channels. Although new vehicle purchases remain cautious, many fleets and companies are still replacing older, high-mileage units with newer models, maintaining a certain level of activity in the used truck market.

While this phenomenon could be interpreted as an economic indicator, it is also tied to seasonal trends. Some in the industry attribute the current market behavior to tariffs, while others point to the overall state of the transportation industry, which has endured several challenging years. However, there is general consensus that the used Class 8 truck market may begin to show signs of recovery in the coming months, potentially boosting internal goods movement within the industry.