Tight inventory helped used truck pricing hold steady in September, J.D. Power reported this week in its October 2026 Commercial Truck Guidelines report.
Overall retail pricing was down just 0.5% month over month but sleeper prices were higher, and J.D. Power reports a deeper investigation has determined last month’s month-over-month increase in pricing was an actual market shift and not due solely to an anomalous mix of specs in its averages.
Wholesale and auction pricing was down 3.4% and 4.9%, respectively, but both remain safely up year over year and year-to-date.
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Within the retail sector, J.D. Power states the average truck retailed in September was one month older than August and six months older year over year, but pricing is still up 9.9% year over year and 0.8% year-to-date. The average truck also had 1.6% more miles than the average truck sold last month.
From a volume perspective, the company reports the retail space was up 0.2 trucks per rooftop in September, moving the overall market up 1.2 trucks year over year and 1.4 trucks year-to-date. Month-over-month sales also were up in the wholesale sector by 0.1 units; auction sales volumes were down 14.1% against August.
J.D. Power states monthly retail sales volume has stabilized at roughly 4.5 trucks this year. “That figure is lower than the long-term average, but much healthier than the preceding four years,” the company adds.
In looking ahead, J.D. Power continues to predict an influx of sleeper supply into the market as new truck deliveries catch up with orders and spike trade-in levels. Class 8 truck orders were up 95% year-to-date through September, so even if the freight market improves, trade volumes are still likely to rise.
“Used sleeper tractor pricing increased in late summer. More new drivers entering the industry needed clean used trucks at a time when inventory was tight. Pricing held firm in September, indicating conditions did not change appreciably. Capacity utilization is at a high level, which should mitigate the value implications of increased trade-ins in upcoming months,” the company states.
For more information, and to read the entirety of this month’s report, please CLICK HERE.
Price Digests confirms September strength
Price Digests (owned by Fusable, parent company of TPS), also reported higher pricing across its data set in September, with pricing for 2-, 5- and 10-year-old sleepers up across the board.
The company reports 2-year-old trucks were up nearly $3,000 from August to $92,330, the highest price for those models since April.
In the older segments, 5-year-old truck prices rose by just under $2,000 and 10-year-old trucks were up $110.
