According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, prices for used cars and trucks are 54.75% higher in 2026 versus 1989 (a $10.95 difference in value).
Between 1989 and 2026:Used cars and trucks experienced an average inflation rate of 1.19% per year. In other words, used cars and trucks costing $20 in the year 1989 would cost $30.95 in 2026 for an equivalent purchase. Compared to the overall inflation rate of 2.63% during this same period, inflation for used cars and trucks was lower.
In the year 1989: Pricing changed by 2.09%, which is above the average yearly change for used cars and trucks during the 1989-2026 time period. Compared to inflation for all items in 1989 (4.83%), inflation for used cars and trucks was lower.
Below are calculations of equivalent buying power for Used cars and trucks, over time, for $20 beginning in 1989. Each of the amounts below is equivalent in terms of what it could buy at the time:
| Year | USD Value | Inflation Rate |
|---|---|---|
| 1989 | $20.00 | 2.09% |
| 1990 | $19.52 | -2.38% |
| 1991 | $19.62 | 0.47% |
| 1992 | $20.45 | 4.27% |
| 1993 | $22.23 | 8.70% |
| 1994 | $23.52 | 5.81% |
| 1995 | $25.98 | 10.44% |
| 1996 | $26.08 | 0.38% |
| 1997 | $25.10 | -3.77% |
| 1998 | $25.01 | -0.34% |
| 1999 | $25.25 | 0.95% |
| 2000 | $25.87 | 2.45% |
| 2001 | $26.35 | 1.89% |
| 2002 | $25.24 | -4.24% |
| 2003 | $23.73 | -5.96% |
| 2004 | $22.14 | -6.71% |
| 2005 | $23.16 | 4.59% |
| 2006 | $23.25 | 0.39% |
| 2007 | $22.54 | -3.03% |
| 2008 | $22.24 | -1.32% |
| 2009 | $21.09 | -5.21% |
| 2010 | $23.77 | 12.72% |
| 2011 | $24.75 | 4.11% |
| 2012 | $24.96 | 0.89% |
| 2013 | $24.89 | -0.29% |
| 2014 | $24.76 | -0.53% |
| 2015 | $24.43 | -1.32% |
| 2016 | $23.83 | -2.47% |
| 2017 | $22.96 | -3.64% |
| 2018 | $22.98 | 0.09% |
| 2019 | $23.21 | 1.00% |
| 2020 | $23.95 | 3.19% |
| 2021 | $30.33 | 26.63% |
| 2022 | $34.19 | 12.75% |
| 2023 | $31.76 | -7.13% |
| 2024 | $29.86 | -5.96% |
| 2025 | $30.74 | 2.92% |
| 2026 | $30.95 | 0.69%* |
* Not final. See inflation summary for latest details.
** Extended periods of 0% inflation usually indicate incomplete underlying data. This can manifest as a sharp increase in inflation later on.
Raw Consumer Price Index data from U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics for Used cars and trucks:
| Year | 1952 | 1953 | 1954 | 1955 | 1956 | 1957 | 1958 | 1959 | 1960 | 1961 | 1962 | 1963 | 1964 | 1965 | 1966 | 1967 | 1968 | 1969 | 1970 | 1971 | 1972 | 1973 | 1974 | 1975 | 1976 | 1977 | 1978 | 1979 | 1980 | 1981 | 1982 | 1983 | 1984 | 1985 | 1986 | 1987 | 1988 | 1989 | 1990 | 1991 | 1992 | 1993 | 1994 | 1995 | 1996 | 1997 | 1998 | 1999 | 2000 | 2001 | 2002 | 2003 | 2004 | 2005 | 2006 | 2007 | 2008 | 2009 | 2010 | 2011 | 2012 | 2013 | 2014 | 2015 | 2016 | 2017 | 2018 | 2019 | 2020 | 2021 | 2022 | 2023 | 2024 | 2025 | 2026 |
| CPI | 28.400 | 26.733 | 22.742 | 21.475 | 20.683 | 23.150 | 24.008 | 26.808 | 25.058 | 26.017 | 28.383 | 28.733 | 29.950 | 29.775 | 29.033 | 29.958 | 30.900 | 30.875 | 31.225 | 33.008 | 33.058 | 35.192 | 36.692 | 43.858 | 50.283 | 54.742 | 55.850 | 60.208 | 62.317 | 76.917 | 88.775 | 98.725 | 112.517 | 113.708 | 108.783 | 113.092 | 117.967 | 120.433 | 117.567 | 118.125 | 123.167 | 133.883 | 141.658 | 156.450 | 157.042 | 151.125 | 150.608 | 152.033 | 155.758 | 158.700 | 151.975 | 142.917 | 133.325 | 139.442 | 139.992 | 135.747 | 133.951 | 126.973 | 143.128 | 149.011 | 150.330 | 149.887 | 149.094 | 147.119 | 143.488 | 138.259 | 138.385 | 139.763 | 144.221 | 182.628 | 205.908 | 191.222 | 179.823 | 185.082 | 186.367 |