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Used car sales are cooling off after spiking in March
CDG News Alert (1 min. read)
Anna del Villar
May 21, 2025
Driving the news: Retail used-vehicle sales slipped 3.6% in April compared to March, with dealers moving 1.57 million pre-owned vehicles during the month.
For context: Despite the month-over-month decline, the market remains significantly stronger than last year—up 11.6% compared to April 2024. Certified pre-owned (CPO) sales followed a similar pattern, dropping 5.9% from March's strong numbers but still running 11% ahead of last year's pace.
Why it matters: The market appears to be settling into a more sustainable rhythm after an unusually powerful start to 2025.
What they’re saying: “As the effects of the ‘spring bounce’ and initial pull ahead from tariffs diminished, sales saw a decrease in April,” explained Scott Vanner, manager of Economic and Industry Insights at Cox Automotive.
What we're watching: The “affordable end” of the market remains painfully tight. Cars priced under $15,000 show just 32 days' supply—making budget-friendly vehicles increasingly hard to find. Overall inventory sits at 43 days' supply, which is actually the tightest it's been for this time of year since 2021.
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