Should You Buy a Used Car in August 2025?

Quick Facts About Buying a Used Car

• Now is a smart time to buy a used car. Tariffs on new cars are sending would-be buyers to consider used vehicles.
• At the start of August, the average used car listing price was $25,527, unchanged from a year ago.
• Used-vehicle inventory remains tight, with a 43-day supply at the beginning of August, down four days from a month ago.

Now is a smart time to buy a used vehicle before prices climb. Car tariffs on new vehicles are driving would-be buyers to the used market, increasing demand and further tightening supply.

Many factors can influence whether it’s a good time to buy a used car, from available inventory to interest rates. The tight supply of used vehicles could make it difficult to find exactly what you want. Also, interest rates remain higher on used vehicles than on new ones. Still, there are plenty of benefits to buying a used car right now. We explain. You can skip ahead using the jump links below.

• Used Car Market Overview
• How Much Does a Used Car Cost?
• Pros of Buying a Used Car
• Cons of Buying a Used Car
• Tips for Buying a Used Car in Today’s Market
• Bottom Line

Used Car Market Overview

The latest Cox Automotive days’ supply report shows that the used-vehicle supply was 43 days at the start of August, down four days from last month and slightly down from the same time a year ago. The report is based on the estimated daily retail sales rate for the most recent 30-day period.

In July, nearly 1.5 million used vehicles were sold at franchised and independent dealers. The used vehicle sales pace is brisk as affordability challenges continue to push new car buyers to used. Sales were up nearly 7% from a year earlier.

“Days’ supply continues to be constrained, remaining below levels seen in recent years,” said Scott Vanner, manager of Economic and Industry Insights at Cox Automotive. “Following this month’s decline, days’ supply is the lowest it has been in three years for this time of year, as well as the same time in 2019.”

Today’s used car market continues to suffer from an ongoing lack of inventory. Manufacturers made 8 million fewer new vehicles from 2020 to 2022 due to COVID-19 supply disruptions. Unable to find a new car to buy or lease during that time, many buyers bought used cars instead, creating a tighter supply of used vehicles. With fewer leases in that timeframe, there will be a lower supply of vehicles for the used market for several years to come.

RELATED: Used Car Buying Guide

How Much Does a Used Car Cost?

The vAuto Live Market View data, analyzed by Cox Automotive, shows that the average used car listing price was $25,527 at the start of August, nearly $200 more than the month earlier, though unchanged from a year ago. As August began, cars sold had an average mileage of 72,691.

If not paying in cash, consumers buying a used car need to finance their purchase. Consumer car loan interest rates have remained high during the past several years, making it harder to afford a used car. Use our car affordability calculator to see what you can buy within your budget.

According to the vAuto data, nearly 2.2 million used vehicles were available for sale at the beginning of August, which is about the same as last year and at the beginning of July. If you are in the market for a used car right now, narrow your search by filtering your results to see cars for sale by owner, at a dealership, or those in a certain price range.

Data show that sales of certified pre-owned (CPO) vehicles increased 11% month over month in July and were up 5.4% year over year. CPO vehicles are usually lower-mileage cars in excellent condition and sold with the backing of the manufacturer. With an extra warranty, certified pre-owned vehicles can be a good deal, especially if they come with special financing and low down payments.

RELATED: What Is a Certified Pre-Owned Car?

July’s CPO sales are estimated at 222,991 cars, up from June sales of 200,950 cars.

“With new car prices rising, it might make sense to consider an older used car,” said Brian Moody, executive editor of Autotrader. “If you go out of your way to find a reliable model, it should last many years.”

Pros of Buying a Used Car This Month

• Tariffs on new cars could drive up prices for used vehicles in the coming months due to greater demand.
• New cars quickly depreciate once driven off the lot, making buying used a smarter idea any month of the year.
• Insuring a used car costs less than a new vehicle in most cases.

Cons of Buying a Used Car This Month

• Waiting for lower car loan interest rates in the months ahead may make sense if you need to finance your used car purchase. However, there’s no telling if car loan interest rates will decline.
• Buying a newer-model used car can be more expensive than buying a new one in some instances.
• Dealing with a lack of inventory may mean you can’t find the car you want.

Tips for Buying a Used Car in Today’s Market

With several factors impacting used car buying, use the tips below to find the right one that fits your budget.

• Research used car models to find the best deal with dealerships and private sellers.
• Ask for the vehicle history report to learn about its maintenance and any accidents.
• Check the used car’s Kelley Blue Book value from our sister site to see if it’s a good deal.
• Get the best offer on your trade-in by shopping it around.
• Compare rates for your used car loan before settling on financing.
• Set your budget and use our car affordability calculator to determine what works best for you.
• Look for certified pre-owned manufacturer offers and other deals.
• Obtain quotes for car insurance before buying.
• Avoid signing any dealership sales agreement before seeing a cost breakdown of all line items.

• RELATED: What Is More Important When Buying a Used Car: Miles or Age?

Bottom Line

You might find some good deals before the used car inventory tightens further. It might not be the exact vehicle you want. Always consider your personal circumstances when deciding whether it’s the right time for you to make the leap and buy a car. Do your research before deciding on buying used, and if it’s a newer used vehicle, be sure to check the price of new models and compare costs.