The first few months of President Donald Trump’s second term have created uncertainty in the used-truck market, according to market analysts, due to potential tariffs, changes in emissions regulations and more.
According to the latest monthly report from ACT Research, the average retail sale price for a Class 8 tractor fell 2.3% in May from April. Compared to May 2024, used-truck prices were down 3.1% in May 2025.
Used Class 8 truck sales volumes and prices were down both monthly and annually in May, according to ACT Research. Miles and age were up month-over-month, while miles were down annually and age up annually.ACT Research
While prices trended down, average miles on the trucks sold in the month of May was higher, by about 2.8% and contributing to the lower pricing, noted Steve Tam, vice president at ACT Research.
“May is usually the third weakest sales month of the year, running nearly 5% below average,” Tam added, as the firm tracked a 10% decrease in sales volume from April. “Combined, total used sales lagged the first five months of last year by 6.7%."
Uncertainty in the market for used trucks abounds, and it “seems to have a stranglehold on both buyers and sellers,” Tam said. “The phrase analysis paralysis comes to mind. Parties on both sides of the used truck sales transaction are wondering about everything from tariffs to the status and future of emissions regulations to inventory levels. Of course, top of mind is how and when these dynamics will impact prices.”
Looking at the market more broadly, optimism seems to have fallen back from an early-year uptick. Analyzing the first quarter of the year as a whole, Overdrive parent company Fusable’s Risk Insights Report for Q1 showed Class 7-8 truck sales averages having climbed nearly 18% from the same quarter in 2024, possibly reflecting optimism for a freight recovery.
At once, analysts noted, "the evidence is still inconclusive" for the higher prices indicating any coming freight recovery.
According to Fusable data on the broader market, the average resale price for Class 7-8 trucks in Q1 2025 was $64,550, up markedly from $57,670 in Q4 2024. Fusable’s report used both retail and auction data to calculate its figures. Model years 2008 and newer were included in the analysis -- as shown in the chart below:
Perhaps underscoring current uncertainty about the wider economy, J.D. Power’s monthly Commercial Truck Guidelines report showed retail sales volume and prices up in May compared to April. There was increase in volumes on the auction side, however, with a corresponding dip in prices, J.D. Power also reported.
"Most of the severe tariffs announced earlier this year have been rolled back, although some degree of protectionism is still present in the trade agreements currently being announced," J.D. Power said. "Current tariff levels will result in varying degrees of price increases in selected industry segments. Each new 'deal' announced adds incremental visibility to business planning beyond the next 30-90 days, but the trucking industry is still in a cautious frame of mind."
In retail, sleeper pricing was up slightly month-over-month, J.D. Power noted, and volume was healthy by recent standards. The average sleeper sold in May was 55 months old with 438,158 miles. It cost $65,452.
This chart from J.D. Power shows the average retail selling price, adjusted for mileage, for 3- to 5-year-old sleeper tractors dating back to 2019. Prices today are largely on par with those seen in January 2019.J.D. Power
Compared with April, May's average sleeper sold was five months newer, with 2,311 fewer miles, and brought $5,006 more. Year-over-year, the average sleeper this year was 16 months newer with equal miles and brought $5,692 more.
The average pricing for late-model trucks:
- 2024 model: $132,717, or $2,754 (2%) lower than April
- 2023 model: $101,696, or $4,757 (4.9%) higher than April
- 2022 model: $76,200, or $872 (1.2%) higher than April
- 2021 model: $57,230, or $113 (0.2%) lower than April
- 2020 model: $43,557, or (7.6%) lower than April
Selling prices were down at auction, but volume was up in line with expectations, J.D. Power added. Average pricing for the benchmark truck in May:
- 2023 model: $70,792, or $25,943 (26.8%) lower than April
- 2022 model: $59,644, or $3,508 (5.6%) lower than April
- 2021 model: $42,999, or $471 (1.1%) lower than April
- 2020 model: $34,576, or $1,341 (3.7%) lower than April
- 2019 model: $25,400, or $3,239 (11.3%) lower than April
[Related: Ways to assess truck market value for potential purchase, trade or sale, insurance]
