When is the best time to sell a 3 year old Honda Accord?
Sell your 3-year-old Honda Accord right now in early 2026. Data shows it keeps strong value at this point. Kelley Blue Book lists resale at $25,713 with 73% residual value. CarMax offers range from $19,600 to $21,400 for low-mileage models. Wait longer, and depreciation speeds up.
Why Now Holds Top Value
Honda Accords depreciate slowly at first. After three years, your 2023 model loses just 29% from its $35,000 original price. Here's the breakdown from owner data:
| Years Old | Resale Value | % Retained | Annual Drop | |::::: -|::::::: |:::::: |:::::: -| | 1 | $26,949 | 74% | $9,292 | | 2 | $26,634 | 73% | $9,607 | | 3 | $25,789 | 71% | $10,452| | 4 | Lower | Drops | Steeper |
This table comes from CarEdge analysis of verified sales. Your Accord rates "Better" for value among midsize sedans. Low miles under 35,000 boost offers to $21,400. High miles near 60,000 pull it to $19,600.
Key Factors That Time Your Sale
Market shifts fast. As of February 2026, used 2023 Accords sell for $21,700 at dealerships. Honda's reliability keeps demand high. Owners rate it 4.8 out of 5. But new 2026 models start at $28,900. They flood the market soon and push used prices down 10-15% yearly after year 3.
Spring buying peaks lift values 5-10% from winter lows. Sell before summer road trips end. Avoid fall when new car deals spike.
- Check mileage: Under 36,000 miles? List now for top dollar.
- Fix small issues: Clean interior adds $500 to offers.
- Shop offers: CarMax pays $20,400 average; private sale hits $25,000+.
- Track trends: Values drop $1,900 more by late 2026.
Action Steps to Maximize Your Sale
- Get free quotes from CarMax, Kelley Blue Book, and Carvana today.
- Clean and detail your Accord. Photos sell 30% faster.
- Time it: List mid-February to April for peak demand.
- Use Sidekick to score your exact timing. It pulls real owner data on 47,000+ Accords and flags your best sell window.
Sidekick updates monthly with fresh market values. Owners who time sales right keep $2,000 more in pocket. Don't let depreciation eat gains. Act fast on your 3-year-old Accord.