LAWRENCEVILLE, Ga.--Black Book, a division of Hearst, said its seasonally adjusted Used Vehicle Retention Index rose 2.3% in February to 145.0, up from 141.7 in January. Despite the monthly increase, the index remains 1.0% below its level a year earlier, when it stood at 146.4.
The firm attributed the improvement to stronger auction demand and a recovery in several mainstream vehicle segments that had experienced steep depreciation late in 2025.
“At the close of January, we saw the first signs of a seasonal lift in the auction lanes, with values posting early-year gains that carried through February and drove the Index up 2.3%,” said Laura Wehunt, vice president of data and analytics at Black Book.
According to Wehunt, several vehicle categories that declined sharply during the fourth quarter posted notable rebounds. Mid-size crossovers rose 3.2% during the month, while full-size cars increased 3.6%. Auction conversion rates also remained strong, holding above 60% throughout February, signaling steady buyer demand.
The Black Book Used Vehicle Retention Index tracks the wholesale value of two- to six-year-old used vehicles as a percentage of their original manufacturer’s suggested retail price. The measure is weighted by vehicle registration volume and adjusted for seasonality, age, mileage and condition.