May’s used-vehicle sales total is either up or down, depending on which way you look at the numbers released Wednesday by CNW Research.

CNW tabulated there were 4,126,844 used-vehicle sales last month, combining activity at franchise and independent dealerships as well as private-party sales. That figure represents an 11.9-percent gain from April, but a 1.4-percent dip against May 2010.

“Franchised new-car dealers, putting more emphasis on used cars because of shortages of the most in-demand fuel-efficient models at Toyota and Honda, were able to eke out a slight gain versus year ago,” shared CNW president Art Spinella, who added that franchise stores moved 1,503,084 used units in May. That total was 2.8 percent higher than the same month last year.

Independent dealers sold 1,490,749 used vehicles in May, a decline of 4.4 percent from a year ago, according to CNW. However, the amount was 10.8 percent more than what independent lots moved in April.

“The competition for prime used vehicles has put independents at a disadvantage at auction where the well-funded franchised dealers are sucking up inventory as quickly as possible,” Spinella surmised.

“Toyota and Honda dealers, dealt a blow by the Japanese earthquake, need to focus on used sales because of the shortages of popular new models,” he emphasized.

Spinella went on to mention private-party sales slipped nearly 3 percent year-over-year. This segment represented 1,133,011 sales last month.

“Individuals are taking advantage of offers from franchised dealers for above-book trade-in values,” Spinella concluded.