FI showroom red and grey logo
MenuMENU
SearchSEARCH

July's 2.3% Drop in Wholesale Prices Ties June Record, NADAUCG Reports

Wholesale prices for vehicles up to eight years in age fell 2.3% in July, tying June for the biggest drop recorded so far this year, according to the NADA Used Car guide. As a result, the firm lowered its seasonally adjusted used vehicle price index 1.1% to 118.9 .

by Staff
August 16, 2016
3 min to read


MCLEAN, Va. — Wholesale prices for vehicles up to eight years in age fell 2.3% in July, tying June for the biggest drop recorded so far in 2016, according to the NADA Used Car Guide. As a result, the firm lowered its seasonally adjusted used vehicle price index 1.1% to 118.9 .  

The largest decline in wholesale price was recorded in the subcompact car segment, which saw prices drop 3.9% compared to June’s figures. Mid-size and compact cars followed a similar trend, with each segment recording an average price decline of 2.9% compared to the prior month. Prices for large cars fell 2.5%, higher than the industry average but better than the 2.8% decline the segment experienced last year.

Ad Loading...

The large pickup and large utility segments continued to show strength, with prices for each segment falling 0.5% and 0.3%, respectively, compared to the prior month. While other large vehicle segments experienced slightly higher depreciation, the majority of the declines were still under the industry average.

Mid-size pickup prices fell 1.4%, compact utility prices dropped 1.7%, mid-size utility prices dipped by 1.8%, and vans dropped 2.7%.

According to the NADA, the luxury segment was a mixed bag in July. Small luxury vehicles experienced greater losses, while mid-size and large luxury vehicles fared slightly better. The biggest decline in the segment came from luxury compact utility prices, which fell 3.1% from the prior month. Compact car prices fell 2.7%, while luxury mid-size cars and luxury large car prices fell by 2.1% and 1.8%, respectively.

Year to date, used-vehicle prices were 12.5% lower than they were at the end of 2015. Last year, depreciation reached a lesser 9.6% over the same period, according to the NADA.

Compared to all of 2015, subcompact prices have fallen 19.9% year to date. Compact car prices have fallen 16.2%, and mid-size and large car prices have fallen 14% to 14.4%. Year to date, large pickup prices are down 6.8%, while large utility prices are down 5.7%. Mid-size pickups are down 6.3% compared to full-year 2015.

Ad Loading...

The only segment to experience an improvement in depreciation relative to last year was the large utility segment, which saw prices fall 5.7% through July. For the same period last year, wholesale prices fell 7.1%, the NADA Used Car Guide noted.

Sales volume at auction was also on the decline during July. However, the firm noted, the decline is typical for the time of year. July’s decline marked the fourth monthyl decline in a row. On a year-to-date basis, however, volume is up 6%.

Looking forward, depreciation is expected to accelerate as the market enters what is typically the softest part of the year, according to the NADA. In next month’s report, the NADA Used Car Guide expects used-vehicle prices to fall even more than they did in July. August’s used-vehicle prices are expected to fall by 2.5% to 3% compared to July’s figures. Subcompact car prices are expected to drop by about 3% on a monthly basis, while compact, mid-size and large car prices are expected to fall 2.7%. 

Compact utility and mid-size utility prices are expected to decline 2.3%, while mid-size van prices are expected to fall 2.7%. Large pickup and utility pricing are expected to suffer the softest decline at 1.8%, while luxury segment losses are expected to average about 2.5%, according to the firm. In September and October, prices are expected to fall around 3.2% to 3.7% per month.

NADA Used Car Guide’s full-year forecast for 2016 has prices down by an average of less than 5% on an index-basis from 2015.

More Auto Finance

Two men in suit jackets shaking hands in front of a new-looking white vehicle
Auto Financeby Hannah MitchellJuly 15, 2026

Auto Credit Plentiful

June numbers show lenders are readily granting access, including to risky borrowers, as consumers leverage themselves to take on high prices.

Read More →
Woman's hands holding an wallet empty of cash
Auto Financeby Hannah MitchellJuly 1, 2026

Automotive Consumers Sink Further in Debt

Most financing metrics hit records in the second quarter as more buyers locked themselves into long terms and high monthly payments.

Read More →
Three men smiling for headshots
Auto Financeby Lauren LawrenceJuly 1, 2026

Porsche Financial Services Shifts Structure

After 36 years with Porsche, the Financial Services Chief Financial Officer Konrad Riedl is retiring, and the department is realigning its management structure.

Read More →
Ad Loading...
$100 bill and magnifying glass on top of paper that says insurance policy terms and conditions.
F&Iby Lauren LawrenceJune 29, 2026

Tariffs Could Raise Insurance Premiums

As U.S. import tariffs affect repair costs, consumers might find it more affordable to replace a damaged vehicle, according to recent Insurify tariff analysis.

Read More →
Red toy car sitting on top of coins.
Auto Financeby Lauren LawrenceJune 24, 2026

Smaller Loans, Longer Terms

The youngest generation of car buyers is more likely to finance less expensive vehicles, more than half of generation Z consumers borrowing less than $25,000.

Read More →
Photo of man holding a car key
Auto Financeby Hannah MitchellJune 17, 2026

New Cars a Tad More Affordable

May averages show that combined circumstances gave auto consumers slightly better buying power for the month, though average prices were up year-over-year.

Read More →
Ad Loading...
Photo of a white toy car next to piles of coins
Auto Financeby Hannah MitchellJune 8, 2026

First-Quarter Sees Long Auto Loan Growth

Experian data show more consumers are tapping the method, along with refinancings, to afford buying. Meanwhile, subprime borrowers are getting more access.

Read More →
Assurant, Mastering Credit Friction, Sales Series, Expert Trainer Josh Krach
Auto FinanceMay 29, 2026

Mastering Credit Friction

In this video, Josh Krach explains how to turn credit friction into an advantage.

Read More →
Couple talking with auto salesman next to new car inside dealership
Auto Financeby Hannah MitchellMay 20, 2026

April Less Affordable

Based on prices, reduced incentives and slower household income growth, consumers found it more challenging to buy new last month, Cox Automotive reported.

Read More →
Ad Loading...
Photo of a loan contract on a desk
Auto Financeby Hannah MitchellMay 13, 2026

Auto Lenders, Consumers on a Tightrope

April borrowing data shows that more consumers are bending over backward to buy vehicles, though subprime lending cooled off for the month.

Read More →