Big Rigs · Nationwide · October 24, 2026

Used Class 8 Truck Sales Slip 5.7% in September, ACT Research Says

Sales of used Class 8 trucks cooled in September, but prices are still well above last year, according to ACT Research's latest State of the Industry report on U.S. Classes 3-8 used trucks, as reported by The Trucker.

The September numbers

According to ACT:

• Same-dealer used Class 8 retail sales slipped 5.7% from August, following a notable decline in August.
• The average retail sale price dropped 1.9% to $64,007.
• Compared with September 2025, retail sales were up 6%.
• Average prices were up 12% from a year earlier.

What ACT says is behind it

"The September decline in used Class 8 retail sales was directionally consistent with, but greater than, the typical seasonal drop," said Steve Tam, vice president at ACT.

Tam said auction volumes rebounded in the last month of the quarter, while retail and wholesale channels faced continued headwinds. "Higher average miles and an uptick in vehicle age contributed to downward pressure on pricing," he said, "but the market's longer-term trajectory remains positive, reflecting the resilience of carriers navigating a challenging operating environment."

Reading the numbers

The month-to-month figures show a pullback. The year-over-year figures show a market that is still higher than it was 12 months ago, both in how many trucks are selling and what buyers are paying. ACT attributes part of the price dip to the trucks themselves, with higher average miles and older vehicles in the mix.

For more on used truck values, Big Rig Daily recently reported that used sleeper truck prices are holding strong. Drivers weighing whether a truck payment fits their budget can run the numbers in the free owner-operator profit calculator.

A question for readers

The average used semi sold for $64,007 in September, about 12% more than a year earlier.

If you bought a used truck this year, did you feel like you got a fair price?

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