As KAR Auction Services chief economist Tom Kontos explained it, those crossovers and SUVs that rolled over the curb during the past couple of years as leased units are now “coming home to roost.”

According to ADESA Analytical Services’ monthly analysis of wholesale used-vehicle prices by vehicle model class, Kontos and the analyst team determined wholesale used-vehicle prices in March averaged $11,095 — up 3.0% compared to February and up 2.5% relative to March of last year.

Kontos pointed out that all vehicle segments experienced month-over-month increases with car prices going up more than truck prices, on average.

“Average wholesale prices and retail used vehicle sales were strong in March, typifying the usual spring/tax season market uptick,” he said in his latest Kontos Kommentary released on Monday.

“In addition, our analysis increasingly indicates that prices for car segments are beginning to hold up better, while crossover and SUV truck segments may be starting to have a tougher go.  In recent years, the opposite has been true,” Kontos continued.

“As mentioned in previous commentaries, this is to be expected as more crossovers and SUVs start coming home to roost from strong new-vehicle sales over the last few years,” he added along with a video that can be seen here..

Kontos again took a closer look at fleet and lease trends for vehicles less than 3 years old and 45,000 miles on the odometer. When holding constant for sale type, model-year age, mileage and model class segment — using criteria that characterize off-lease units — Kontos noticed that prices climbed “significantly” on a year-over-year basis for midsize cars but dropped “substantially” for midsize SUV/CUVs.

Specifically, those car prices jumped $530 or 4.4% to $12,517 while those utility prices slid $688 or 3.3% to $20,336.

Kontos went on to mention all seller types saw monthly and annual average price increases in March. 

The update showed that average wholesale prices for used vehicles remarketed by manufacturers increased 3.7% month-over-month and edged 0.1% percent higher year-over-year.

Prices for fleet/lease consignors rose 4.3% sequentially and 2.3% annually, according to ADESA data.

Finally, Kontos noted average prices for dealer consignors increased 5.7% versus February and 2.0% relative to last March.

Source: ADESA Analytical Services.