Car Values at Auction Continue Decline at Year's End

Car values at auction are continuing their descent as the year comes to a close, according to Black Book’s Dec. 17 Market Insights report.

Overall, wholesale car segments values decreased 0.86% last week, compared to 0.72% the week before.

The two types of vehicles leading car segment depreciation were compact and full-size cars, which saw their values decline 1.16% and 1.02%, respectively. Nearly all car segments experienced similarly high depreciation, but the best performance from the car segment came from prestige luxury cars, which experienced 0.50% depreciation, the lowest within the segment.

At the year’s end, the truck segment is experiencing higher depreciation than it has for most of the year. Although higher than it has been for most of the year, depreciation last week was lower than where it was two weeks ago, and it’s also lower than the depreciation rate seen in the car segment.

Overall, truck segment values decreased 0.52% last week, compared to 0.64% the week before.

Minivans and small pickups led depreciation at 0.92% and 0.90%, respectively. The lowest weekly depreciation came from subcompact crossover, compact crossovers/SUVs, and compact vans.