Used cars are lingering longer at dealerships—and green is suddenly in demand
Two years ago, buying any car felt like winning the lottery. Delivery times stretched close to a year, discounts had vanished, and buyers had little choice but to accept whatever was available. That balance has now completely flipped. New annual figures from RDC show dealers are drowning in stock, cars are sitting idle for months, and buyers are finally back in control. For consumers, that shift translates into one thing: leverage.
The key indicator is turnover speed—and it’s slowing fast. In 2024, more than half of used cars were sold within 30 days. By 2025, that number drops below 49 percent. At the same time, the group of vehicles sitting unsold for two to six months is growing rapidly, tying up dealer capital and putting pressure on showroom floors.
The reason is a toxic mix of supply and hesitation. Large volumes of ex-lease cars are flooding the market, while demand remains cautious because prices—pushed sky-high during the pandemic—still feel excessive to many buyers. Dealers have been reluctant to cut prices sharply, hoping for a rebound. RDC’s conclusion is blunt: that strategy isn’t working, and action is unavoidable.
Translated into everyday terms, that action means discounts. Cars that have been online for months—check the ad date—now come with a strong negotiating advantage. The old attitude of “if you don’t buy it, someone else will” has disappeared. Buyers who are patient and informed are suddenly holding the upper hand again.
At the same time, something unexpected is happening with color choices. Gray, black, and white still dominate, but cracks are showing. White sales are down nearly 10 percent, while red and orange continue to fade. The standout winner for 2025 is green. Sales of green cars jumped an impressive 37.6 percent, surpassing 8,000 units, helped by bold launch colors and a growing association with electric, sustainable, and modern design.
The takeaway is clear. The old rule—don’t buy color if you care about resale value—no longer holds. A sea of anonymous gray has made distinctive shades more desirable, not less. With inventory piling up and demand softening, 2026 is shaping up as a buyer’s year. Choose boldly, negotiate firmly, and don’t hesitate to make a low offer on that green car that’s been quietly waiting in the corner for months.