Used-Car Prices Surge as Dealers Shift to "Self Sourcing"

To avoid rising used-vehicle auction prices, dealer groups double down to buy more trade-ins, older used cars and off-the-street purchases for resale, as tariffs on new vehicles drive up consumer demand for used vehicles. The latest symptom: the Manheim Used Vehicle Value Index increases a stiff 4.9% in April vs. a year ago, to an index of 208.2, the highest since October 2023, auction firm Manheim reports on May 7.