Used EVs Are Reshaping the Wholesale Market — And 2026 Will Be the Tipping Point

Insights pulled from Cox Automotive / Manheim’s latest MUVVI call presentation (Jan 8, 2026)

The used-vehicle market didn’t just “move” in Q4 — it signaled what’s coming next.

The latest Manheim Used Vehicle Value Index (MUVVI) call shows a clear reality: used EVs are no longer behaving like a niche segment. They’re separating from ICE vehicles in key wholesale metrics — right as a major influx of used EVs is expected to enter the market in 2026.

Cox’s Strategic Move Most Dealers Missed

Cox Automotive’s acquisition of Alliance Inspection Management created the largest off-site inspection force in the industry, significantly enhancing Manheim’s inspection capabilities.

This matters because EVs bring a different kind of risk into the lanes — and dealers need more clarity, not less:

• Battery-related uncertainty directly impacts value confidence
• Range and condition questions are harder to “eye-test” than ICE
• Inspection scale and consistency = faster, more confident buying decisions

Retail Was Mixed — Wholesale Stayed Resilient

The report noted new retail sales were muted, while used declined (quarter-over-quarter), even as used EV retail sales were up year-over-year.

EVs Are Separating From ICE — And the Gap Is Widening

The year-end data makes the divergence hard to ignore:

• EV Index finished +2.5% year-over-year
• Non-EV Index increased +0.4% year-over-year
• All primary segments show lower values YoY, while EVs are up the most against last December

That’s the big topic heading into 2026: EVs are outperforming as the market prepares for a much larger supply wave.

Retention by Fuel Type: EVs Improved While ICE and Hybrid Slipped

On 3-year-old retention at auction, the monthly direction was telling:

• EV values rose 2 points in December
• ICE and hybrid retention both fell by 3 points in the month

EV Sales & Depreciation: Wholesale Momentum Is Real

• Manheim EV sales rose 47% in Q4
• Used EV retail sales were up 13% YoY, but declined from Q3
• EV depreciation rates declined over the past year as demand for used EVs increased

Translation: EVs are beginning to stabilize — but they still behave differently than ICE cars in pricing, depreciation curves, and buyer confidence.

The Dealer Takeaway: 2026 Requires a Different EV Playbook

A wave of used EVs is coming in 2026 — and EVs don’t behave like ICE vehicles in:

• Depreciation curves
• Risk assessment and reconditioning decisions
• Pricing cadence and market timing
• Auction vs retail strategy

Dealers who understand those differences will find opportunity. Dealers who don’t will feel it in their inventory.

Source: Cox Automotive / Manheim Used Vehicle Value Index (MUVVI) call presentation (Jan 8, 2026).