Used Class 8 truck sales rise in June as inventory stays tight

The average retail sales price for a used Class 8 truck in June rose 1.5% to $61,751 from $60,814 a year earlier and 2% sequentially from $60,513. (ViewApart/Getty Images)

Used Class 8 truck sales in June further strengthened in response to freight conditions and inventory constraints.

ACT Research said sales increased 10.2% to 24,900 units from 22,600 a year earlier, and 4.6% sequentially from 23,800. Its report highlighted same-dealer used Class 8 retail truck sales bouncing back 9.6% from weak levels the prior months while extending prior-year comparisons.

“The increase was directionally consistent with, but greater than, the expected 2% seasonal bump,” ACT Vice President Steve Tam said. “June is the fifth-weakest sales month of the year, running 3% below average.”

The research company also said the average retail sales price rose 1.5% to $61,751 from $60,814 a year earlier and 2% sequentially from $60,513. Average mileage increased 2.2% to 410,000 from 401,000 a year ago and 3.3% from 397,000 miles in May.

“The auction and wholesale markets were both softer in June,” Tam wrote. “Auction volumes slumped 22% [month to month], unusual for the last month of the quarter. Wholesale dealer activity trickled 4.8% lower [month to month]. Combined, June’s total market same-dealer sales volumes were down 5.1% m/m.”

[July State of the Industry: U.S. Classes 3-8 Used Trucks Update] - Used Truck Sales and Prices Improved in June

Read more from the update here: https://t.co/sjkhwhYCV6 pic.twitter.com/vETagOSphQ — ACT Research (@actresearch) July 30, 2026

J.D. Power said in its monthly report pricing was healthy across the board, with appreciation noted in the auction channel. Retail sale prices increased 1.3% from the prior month but decreased 3.7% from last year. Wholesale prices decreased 0.1% sequentially but were up 10.1% from last year. Auction prices increased 6.3% from last month and 14.7% from 2025.

Chris Visser, director of specialty vehicles, points to two main factors.

“First, spot rates exceeded contract rates for the first time in four years,” Visser wrote in the report. “Second, Class 8 manufacturers have been rehiring factory workers, reversing the layoffs imposed this time last year.”

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Visser 

Visser noted that the fuel component of spot pricing was responsible for almost all the run-up until early this year. But the shortage of available carriers has since become the dominant driver, with fuel now a flat input in spot pricing.

“Model-year 2026 orders are running at the highest rate in five years, but production and delivery [have] lagged,” Visser said. “That situation looks to have turned the corner with the addition of a second shift at many plants.”

Visser expects fleets will expand their capacity, which could result in a higher volume of trades entering the used market as new trucks are put into service.

“Across the board, inventory remains tight as fleet operators hold on to equipment longer than usual,” said Rob Slavin, senior valuation analyst at RB Global. “A primary driver behind this is the significant rebound in freight spot rates over the past seven months.”

RB Global data shows spot rates now average more than $3 per mile after being stuck below $2 from 2023 to 2025. The company even reported an increase in tractors, trailers and medium-duty equipment overall in the second quarter compared with the first. Slavin noted that the values of certain equipment have followed freight rates upward as expected.

“While we don’t anticipate a return to the extreme price spikes of 2021-2022, values across all major tractor OEMs remain significantly stronger than 2023–2025 levels,” Slavin said. “Another key trend in [the first half of the year] has been regional price equalization. Where the West and Southwest previously fetched premium prices, we are now seeing consistent pricing nationally.”

RB Global data shows that the value for a 2020 Freightliner Cascadia sold on the sleeper market increased in the second quarter. Those in the 400,000- to 800,000-mile range rose an average of $7,500 per unit sequentially, while others in the 400,000-to-550,000 range jumped between $7,700 and $11,600. Day cabs experienced a similar surge with 8-year-old models becoming the highest-volume traders, especially the 2019 Freightliners with DD13 engines.

“Although new Class 8 truck sales are expected to build momentum, cumulative supply shortfalls from previous years continue to keep overall secondary market supply low,” Slavin said. “We expect these inventory constraints to support solid equipment pricing through the remainder of the year.”