2026 Used Vehicle Market Trends – Q1 Overview

LONDON, Ontario--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Apr. 20, 2026-- CARFAX Canada releases its Q1 Used Vehicle Market Insights arming the auto industry with the knowledge to decode market trends, sharpen buying and selling strategies, and navigate an increasingly complex vehicle marketplace with confidence.

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Based on the world’s largest database of vehicle records, CARFAX CanadaUsed Vehicle Market Insights provide a unique view of used vehicle inventory volume, national average listing prices, and top searched models and values.

"What sets our Used Vehicle Market Insights apart is the sheer scale of data behind it — billions of North American vehicle records," said Shawn Vording, President of CARFAX Canada. "That foundation allows us to deliver a level of market intelligence that is unmatched in the industry, providing automotive professionals with the clarity and confidence they need to make better-informed decisions."

Key Takeaways

• The national average used vehicle listing price reached $31,907in March — up 0.5% month-over-month and down 2.3% year-over-year.
• March inventory rose 31.6% from February and saw a 3.1% year-over-year increase.
• SUVs continue to dominate consumer preference, now making up 55.3% of all used inventory and taking market share away from passenger cars.
• EV prices are down 6.5% year-over-year, with more volatility on the horizon.

CARFAX Canada Insights
With the spring selling season underway, the Canadian used vehicle market continues to show signs of normalization.

Listing Price:
Average listing prices have increased steadily since the end of 2025 but now appear to be levelling off. March registered a modest 0.5% month-over-month increase from February, and prices are down 2.3% year-over-year, reflecting a more stable market as supply constraints lessen.

Inventory:
Overall inventory is starting to build for spring, with March supply jumping up 31.6% compared to February and increasing 3.1% year-over year. SUVs are driving the growth, claiming a majority inventory share of 55.3%, up from 51.1% just a year ago. More consumers are prioritizing the additional capacity and perceived safety that these vehicles have to offer. Meanwhile, passenger cars are falling further out of favour, representing just 27.0% of used listings in March, down from 30.6% at the same time last year. Passenger car average pricing is also down 4.3% year-over-year.

EV Market:
The EV market remains volatile. Used EV prices are down 6.5% year-over-year, as the market continues to shift. The Federal government’s new Electric Vehicle Affordability Program is now in full swing and the prospect of additional new vehicle supply from Chinese manufacturers coming this year will continue to make this market segment highly unpredictable. While Canada has officially reopened its doors to Chinese EV manufacturers at a reduced 6.1% tariff rate, true low-cost models from OEMs, like BYD and Geely, are unlikely to arrive in meaningful quantities until 2027.

Regional Breakdown:
At a regional level, the western provinces continue to exhibit the highest average prices nationwide driven in part by higher demand for trucks and SUVs, and higher costs of living. The Atlantic provinces and Quebec remain the most affordable markets overall.

A Look Ahead:
The used vehicle market performance in the coming months will hinge on consumer confidence. Buyers are likely to be cautious with the Bank of Canada holding its key interest rate in March, elevated oil prices, and ongoing global economic uncertainty.

_{Source: CARFAX Canada Used Vehicle Market Report, April 2026}

About CARFAX Canada
CARFAX Canada, a part of S&P Global (NYSE: SPGI), is Canada’s definitive source of automotive information, delivering vehicle history, valuation and service solutions. Drawing on billions of data records from thousands of sources, its products enable used vehicle buyers, sellers and vehicle service providers to make informed decisions. CARFAX Canada is dedicated to transparency and is trusted to provide vehicle history, valuation and service information to dealerships, vehicle manufacturers, consumers, service shops, major auctions, governments, insurance providers and police agencies.

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Media Contact

Claudia Jaimes
Manager, Public Relations and Social Media
CARFAX Canada
cjaimes@carfax.ca
+1.519.709.4941

Source: CARFAX Canada