Used-Car Prices Rose 0.7% in September: Houston Buyers

The short answer

Used-car prices rose again at the retail level in September. The Bureau of Labor Statistics says the used cars and trucks index climbed 0.7% for the month on a seasonally adjusted basis, after gains of 0.4% in July and 0.4% in August (BLS CPI, September 2026). Over the full year, the unadjusted index is still down 1.5% from September 2025. At the same time, wholesale prices fell, with Cox Automotive's Manheim index down 1.1% from August (Cox Automotive). For a Houston buyer, that means prices aren't running away, but they aren't falling at the retail level either. Your financing and the total out-the-door cost matter more than trying to time the market.

What the September numbers say

From BLS Table A, the U.S. city average:

• Used cars and trucks: +0.7% in September (seasonally adjusted); −1.5% over 12 months (unadjusted)
• New vehicles: +0.2% in September; +0.6% over 12 months
• Gasoline: +9.1% in September (seasonally adjusted); +34.2% over 12 months
• All items: +0.6% in September; +3.7% over 12 months

These are national numbers, not Houston figures, and an index measures price changes, not the price of any one car.

What wholesale is doing

Cox Automotive's Q3 Manheim report put the September Manheim Used Vehicle Value Index at 205.9, down 0.6% from a year ago and 1.1% from August. Cox said depreciation accelerated in the third quarter amid higher fuel costs, rising interest rates, and broader economic pressure, and it lowered its year-end outlook to about +0.2%.

Wholesale is what dealers pay at auction. Retail is what you pay on the lot. They don't always move together month to month, and September was a split month.

What this means if you're buying

1. Focus on the total cost, not the trend line. A 0.7% monthly move matters less than your APR, the loan term, and the amount financed. Run the numbers in five numbers to check before signing.

2. Fuel costs belong in your budget. Gasoline was up 34.2% over 12 months in the CPI. When you compare vehicles, include what you'll spend to drive them. We covered how fuel economy is showing up in values in this Cox fuel-economy post.

3. Trading in? Don't expect retail for your car. If wholesale is softening, your trade value follows wholesale, not lot prices. Get the trade number and the purchase price as separate figures.

4. Inspect before you sign. Prices moving either way don't change the value of an independent inspection.

Where I fit

I'm Steven Wilson, Sales and Social Media & Marketing Manager at Kramer Autoplex in Livingston, TX. I help people in Houston and East Texas get financed with good credit, bad credit, thin credit, or no credit. I shop each application across a wide lender network, including lenders that work with damaged or limited credit. Live lot inventory is on the site; I won't quote stock or prices in a blog post. Free delivery is available anywhere in Texas, and nationwide delivery is available outside Texas, so you don't have to come to Houston for an answer.

The first step is your name plus a phone number or email. It takes about 20 seconds, and there's no credit check yet. The full application, which does include a credit check, comes after. A same-day answer on where you stand, meaning what you qualify for and the monthly payment, is typical. It isn't a guarantee of approval or of a specific payment.

Bottom line

September's CPI showed retail used-car prices up 0.7% for the month, but still 1.5% below a year ago, while wholesale values slipped. For Houston buyers, the market isn't sending a "wait" signal or a "rush" signal. Get your financing numbers first, then shop the car that fits the total cost.

Want to know where you stand before you shop? See what you qualify for. It takes about 20 seconds to start, with no credit check at that step. Same-day answers are typical, not guaranteed.