May 9, 2026
As the price of new and used cars continue to climb on dealership lots across the U.S., more consumers are hunting for deals. That's the opportunity Hertz is betting on. On March 5, the rental car giant announced a partnership with eBay (1) that will bring 8,000 used rental vehicles to the online marketplace.
The listings will feature near-new certified cars with perks designed to appeal to budget-conscious buyers, including warranty coverage, haggle-free pricing and return options.
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Chris Berg, Hertz's executive vice president of global fleet management, called the partnership "natural next step" (2) as the company expands both its used car operations and online retail presence.
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"It gives us access to millions of in-market shoppers on a trusted platform, supports a scalable retail model, reduces our reliance on wholesale channels, and puts our near-new, certified inventory in front of more customers than ever before," Berg said.
Rising costs are reshaping the auto market
Used car prices (3) averaged $25,390 in March, while the average new vehicle cost nearly doubled that at $49,275, pushing more Americans to rethink not just what they drive, but where they buy it.
The 25% tariff on imported vehicles and certain auto parts President Donald Trump imposed (4) last year is still in place, affecting the cost of auto production and the finished cars themselves.
In fact, analysts at J.P. Morgan (5) said the tariff could add $41 billion to automakers' costs, working out to roughly $2,580 more per vehicle, or a 5.8% increase on the average retail price.
"For the most part, we see automakers and consumers paying the year one $41 billion tab," said Ryan Brinkman (6), Head of U.S. Autos and Auto Parts Research at J.P. Morgan Global Research.
Now eBay and Hertz have seen an opportunity in the market, partnering to bring thousands of used fleet vehicles online for consumers hunting for value.
"We're connecting shoppers with a world-class selection of near-new certified vehicles, all backed by eBay's Secure Purchase which enables a seamless, end-to-end buying experience online," Andrea Wielgoss, GM of Vehicles at eBay U.S., said in a statement (7).
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The Hertz eBay listing features a range of affordable cars and luxury purchases. For example, they have a 2023 Chevrolet Malibu LT (8) listed for $14,469 and a 2025 Toyota Highlander (9) listed for $38,960.
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Are ex-rental cars actually a good deal?
Former rental cars can look appealing to budget-conscious shoppers. They're often newer models that come with lower price tags than comparable used vehicles. There's plenty of inventory. But they come with some baggage.
In a Consumer Reports (10) member survey, roughly one in four respondents said they had received rental cars with mechanical or maintenance-related issues during rentals. But while ex-rental cars have a reputation for being driven hard, that doesn't tell the full story.
Since rental vehicles are core business assets, major companies tend to stay on top of routine maintenance and repairs. Renters are also usually held financially responsible for damages under rental agreements, which can discourage reckless driving.
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"Depending on which company you buy from, used rental cars can also come with warranty protections that can reduce financial risk," Michael Crossen (11), lead technician at CR's Auto Test Center, told USA Today.
Crossen recommends looking for used rentals from larger companies like Hertz, Enterprise or Avis, which often include limited warranty coverage — commonly around 12 months or 12,000 miles from the date of purchase. He said he wouldn't buy from a company offering less protection than that.
Before buying a former rental car, experts recommend taking a few extra precautions:
- Have the vehicle inspected by an independent mechanic to spot hidden issues
- Make sure it includes essentials like the owner's manual, floor mats and two sets of keys
- Purchase a vehicle history report through services like Carfax (12)
- Check for free VIN reports through the National Insurance Crime Bureau (13)
If everything checks out, you could drive that ex-rental home for good.
Article Sources
We rely only on vetted sources and credible third-party reporting. For details, see our ethics and guidelines.
eBay (1),(8),(9); USA Today (2),(7),(11); Kelley Blue Book (3); The White House (4); J.P. Morgan (5),(6); Consumer Reports (10); Carfax (12); National Insurance Crime Bureau (13)
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Victoria Vesovski is a Toronto-based staff reporter at Moneywise covering personal finance, lifestyle and trending news. She holds degrees from the University of Toronto and New York University, and her work has appeared on platforms including Yahoo Finance, MSN Money and Apple News.
