SANTA MONICA, Calif.–The average transaction price for three-year-old vehicles reached $31,067 during the third quarter of this year, up 5% year over year, according to Edmonds.
“The price increase came with a noticeable uptick in lot times, rising from 37 days in Q3 2024 to 41 days in Q3 2025 — the slowest third-quarter pace since 2017,” the company said.
The Edmunds analysis noted EVs “bucked the trend,” selling in an average of 34 days — the fastest turnover of any powertrain. The report noted that despite limited availability of 2022 EV models, they still represented eight of the 20 fastest-selling three-year-old vehicles, “highlighting growing interest among used-car shoppers.”
“Sustained high prices are starting to slow the typically rapid pace of used car sales,” Edmunds stated. “Yet as shoppers grow more deal-focused, an unexpected bright spot has emerged: EVs, despite cooling momentum on the new-car side, are being scooped up faster than any other powertrain in the used market.”
Other Road Signs
According to Edmunds, other data points in its new analysis of the used car market include:
- Affordability pressures continued to shape the used market in Q3, slowing turnover and testing car shoppers’ patience. The average transaction price (ATP) for three-year-old vehicles rose to $31,067, up 5% year over year from $29,578 in Q3 2024.
- The increase in price was accompanied by a noticeable uptick in days to turn (DTT) — the average number of days a vehicle sits on a dealer lot before selling — rising from 37 days in Q3 2024 to 41 days in Q3 2025, the slowest third-quarter pace since 2017, when 3-year-old vehicles sold for nearly $10,000 less.
- The last time three-year-old vehicles crossed the $30,000 mark in Q3 was 2022, when new-car shortages kept buyers in the used market. Today, with inventory restored, many are holding out rather than paying near-new prices.
- The longer selling window shows that buyers are becoming more selective, weighing high used vehicle prices against new-car incentives — a shift that continues to reshape dealer turnover across segments, Edmunds said.
Not Joining the Parade
“But not every part of the market is slowing. EVs bucked the trend, selling in an average of 34 days — the fastest of any powertrain,” Edmunds said. “Despite limited model availability in 2022 and slower adoption on the new-car side, eight of the 20 fastest-selling three-year-old vehicles were EVs, underscoring their growing appeal among shoppers seeking value and lower operating costs.”
The report further noted mileage distribution offers another advantage for used EVs: Nearly two-thirds (66.3%) have under 40,000 miles, compared with 56.8% of other 3-year-old vehicles. Only 17.8% of EVs exceed 50,000 miles, versus 27.2% of other vehicles — underscoring how most used EVs enter the market with lighter use and could contribute to stronger perceived value.
