Used cars and trucks price inflation, 2003→2026

Used Cars And Trucks Inflation Calculator

Prices for Used Cars And Trucks, 2003-2026 ($20)

According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, prices for used cars and trucks are 30.40% higher in 2026 versus 2003 (a $6.08 difference in value).

Between 2003 and 2026:Used cars and trucks experienced an average inflation rate of 1.16% per year. In other words, used cars and trucks costing $20 in the year 2003 would cost $26.08 in 2026 for an equivalent purchase. Compared to the overall inflation rate of 2.49% during this same period, inflation for used cars and trucks was lower.

In the year 2003: Pricing changed by -5.96%, which is significantly below the average yearly change for used cars and trucks during the 2003-2026 time period. Compared to inflation for all items in 2003 (2.27%), inflation for used cars and trucks was much lower.

Price Inflation for Used cars and trucks since 1952

Consumer Price Index, U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics

Years with the largest changes in pricing: 2021 (26.63%), 1981 (23.43%), and 1975 (19.53%).

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Buying power of $20.00 since 2003

Below are calculations of equivalent buying power for Used cars and trucks, over time, for $20 beginning in 2003. Each of the amounts below is equivalent in terms of what it could buy at the time:

Year	USD Value	Inflation Rate
2003	$20.00	-5.96%
2004	$18.66	-6.71%
2005	$19.51	4.59%
2006	$19.59	0.39%
2007	$19.00	-3.03%
2008	$18.75	-1.32%
2009	$17.77	-5.21%
2010	$20.03	12.72%
2011	$20.85	4.11%
2012	$21.04	0.89%
2013	$20.98	-0.29%
2014	$20.86	-0.53%
2015	$20.59	-1.32%
2016	$20.08	-2.47%
2017	$19.35	-3.64%
2018	$19.37	0.09%
2019	$19.56	1.00%
2020	$20.18	3.19%
2021	$25.56	26.63%
2022	$28.82	12.75%
2023	$26.76	-7.13%
2024	$25.16	-5.96%
2025	$25.90	2.92%
2026	$26.08	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

Adjust used cars and trucks prices for inflation

Start with the inflation rate formula:

CPI in 2026 / CPI in 2003* 2003 USD value = 2026 USD value

Then plug in historical CPI values from above. The CPI for Used cars and trucks was 142.917 in the year 2003 and 186.367 in 2026:

186.367 / 142.917* $20 = $26.08

Therefore, according to U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, $20 in 2003 has the same "purchasing power" as $26.08 in 2026 (in the CPI category of Used cars and trucks).

Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics began tracking the Consumer Price Index for Used cars and trucks in 1952. In addition to used cars and trucks, the index produces monthly data on changes in prices paid by urban consumers for a variety of goods and services.