Used Class 8 Truck Sales Fall 5.7% as Prices Ease

Same-dealer used Class 8 retail truck sales fell 5.7% from August to September, extending a late-summer slowdown in heavy-duty equipment transactions. TheTrucker.com reported October 23 that ACT Research also measured a 1.9% decline in the average retail price, bringing the September average to $64,007. The monthly pullback was larger than the market's usual seasonal decline.

ACT said auction volumes recovered during the final month of the quarter, while retail and wholesale channels continued to face headwinds. Higher average vehicle age and mileage contributed to downward pressure on prices. Even with that near-term weakness, the market remained stronger than it was one year earlier: retail sales were 6% above September 2025 and average prices were 12% higher year over year.

For small fleets and owner-operators, a softer monthly price does not automatically make every used tractor a good value. Buyers should compare engine hours, mileage, maintenance records, emissions-system history, tire and brake condition, available warranty coverage and the cost of financing. A lower purchase price can disappear quickly if the truck requires an aftertreatment repair, major engine work or weeks of downtime soon after delivery.

Sellers and dealers may need to document condition more clearly as buyers become selective. Fleets replacing equipment should calculate the existing tractor's repair trend and revenue lost to downtime before deciding whether to trade now or continue operating it. The September data suggest negotiating room may be improving in some channels, but year-over-year price growth shows that the used Class 8 market has not returned to last year's cost level.