Equipment
Used Class 8 retail sales fall as inventory tightens and prices rise
· Source: ACT Research
ACT Research reported that same-dealer used Class 8 retail sales fell 24% from July in August, while the average retail price rose 2.2% to $64,367. Compared with August 2025, sales were 12% higher and prices were 11% higher.
Summary and practical context by RoadHouse Recruiting · Reviewed
Lower availability supported higher prices
ACT said the August retail decline ran counter to the typical seasonal pattern and was more likely tied to tightening inventory than weaker demand. Fewer new-truck deliveries and trades can reduce the supply of newer used equipment.
The report is a market sample
ACT's report uses a sample of industry data and tracks selling price, mileage and age. A national average does not establish the value or condition of a specific tractor.
What buyers should calculate
RoadHouse perspective: compare purchase price with financing, warranty coverage, mileage, maintenance history, emissions-system condition and expected downtime. A cheaper older unit can be more expensive if repairs interrupt revenue.
Understanding the update
These are August used-truck market observations published September 29, not a forecast or appraisal for an individual vehicle.
What it means for drivers and carriers
Treat tighter supply and rising averages as a negotiation signal, then inspect total ownership cost unit by unit.
Questions to consider
- How does the unit compare on mileage, age and maintenance history?
- What repairs and downtime should be budgeted in the first year?
- Does financing erase the purchase-price advantage versus newer equipment?
Read the original reporting
This page provides an original summary and practical commentary. The linked source contains the full reporting. Older stories reflect information available on their published dates.
Read the source at ACT Research ↗ (opens in a new tab)