Manheim shows you what cars sold for.
CarCast shows where prices are going.
Manheim runs the largest wholesale auto auction in America — 7 million+ vehicles annually. CarCast adds the forward view: whether today's auction price will be higher or lower next month, before you ever place a bid.
The auction edge: CarCast + Manheim together
Before auction: Check CarCast — is the segment trending up or down over the next 30 days?
At auction: Use Manheim MMR to validate the current wholesale value.
Bidding: CarCast's trend classification gives you a forward-looking read to pair with the current MMR number. (Informational analytics only — not financial advice.)
Why auction buyers add CarCast to their workflow
MMR tells you where prices have been. CarCast tells you where they're going.
The market you buy in today is not the market you sell into next month
Manheim MMR is the industry benchmark for what a vehicle is worth in the wholesale channel right now. Every dealer buying at auction references it. But in a volatile market driven by fluctuating new car supply and seasonal demand swings, last week's price can be meaningfully different from next month's price. CarCast shows you the direction before you commit capital.
Proprietary AI forecasting — not just historical index data
The Manheim Used Vehicle Value Index tracks national trends backward. CarCast's proprietary AI forecasting generates segment-level projections forward — a 30 and 60-day forecast specific to vehicle segments like “2022 Ford F-150 XLT” or “2023 Toyota RAV4 LE.” The confidence bands tell you the likely range of outcomes, not just a point estimate.
Fixed monthly cost — not per vehicle
Manheim charges transaction fees on every vehicle you buy — costs that scale with your volume. CarCast is a flat monthly subscription: $0 for the free plan, $149/month for Pro covering all 798 segments. One subscription gives you forecasting intelligence for every sourcing decision you make, regardless of where you buy.
A plain-English trend for every segment you track
CarCast distills forecasts into a Rising / Stable / Softening trend classification per segment. If CarCast shows the F-150 segment softening 2% over the next month, that's forward-looking context to pair with the current MMR number. If CarCast shows a Rising trend, the retail side is projected to move up. Informational analytics only — not financial advice.
Feature comparison
As of 2026. Manheim and CarCast are complementary tools, not direct replacements.
| Feature | CarCast | Manheim |
|---|---|---|
| 30-day price forecast by segment | ||
| 60-day price forecast | ||
| P10/P50/P90 confidence bands | ||
| Rising / Stable / Softening trend classification | ||
| Historical price trends (52wk) | Limited | |
| Current wholesale market value (MMR)Manheim strength | ||
| Live vehicle auctionsManheim strength | ||
| Vehicle inspections & condition reportsManheim strength | ||
| Logistics & transportManheim strength | ||
| Weekly price digest email | ||
| Price drop / spike alerts | ||
| 798 segments tracked | N/A | |
| REST API for dealers | Agency plan | |
| Free plan | ||
| Cost | From $0/mo | $100–$350+/vehicle |
Which tool is right for you?
Choose CarCast if...
- You want to know whether to buy at this week's auction or wait for a better price next month
- You need 30–60 day price direction for specific vehicle segments
- You want to protect margins by knowing which segments are softening before you source
- You want weekly alerts when segments you track move significantly
- You want a fixed monthly cost rather than per-vehicle fees
Choose Manheim if...
- You need to actually buy or sell vehicles at wholesale auction
- You need current MMR valuations as part of your appraisal workflow
- You need vehicle condition reports and inspection services
- You need vehicle transport and logistics coordination
Most professional auction buyers use both — Manheim to transact, CarCast to time those transactions.
Frequently asked questions
How does CarCast work with Manheim?
CarCast is not a replacement for Manheim — it's a companion tool. Manheim is where you buy and sell wholesale vehicles. CarCast tells you whether the price you're about to pay at Manheim will be higher or lower in 30–60 days. Use Manheim MMR to understand today's wholesale value, and CarCast to know if that value is about to rise or fall.
Is CarCast a Manheim MMR alternative?
CarCast is not a direct MMR replacement — MMR shows recent transaction prices at wholesale auctions, which CarCast doesn't replicate. CarCast adds a forward-looking layer: AI-powered 30 and 60-day price forecasts that tell you whether the current MMR value will go up or down. Think of it as 'MMR + a forward-looking view.'
Can CarCast predict Manheim auction prices?
CarCast forecasts used car market prices by segment (e.g., '2022 Ford F-150 XLT') using proprietary AI forecasting. While it doesn't predict individual auction results, it forecasts the direction of market prices — which directly influences what vehicles will sell for at Manheim over the next 30–60 days. If CarCast shows a segment trending down, you know to bid lower or wait.
How much does Manheim cost vs CarCast?
Manheim charges per-transaction fees (typically $100–$350+ per vehicle bought at auction) plus annual registration. CarCast is $0 on the Free plan (5 segments), $149/month for Pro (all 798 segments), or $499/month for Agency (API access + unlimited). CarCast is a fixed monthly cost regardless of volume — Manheim's costs scale with every vehicle you buy.
What is the Manheim Used Vehicle Value Index?
The Manheim Used Vehicle Value Index (MUVVI) tracks wholesale used car price trends nationally. It's a backward-looking index based on actual auction sales. CarCast provides similar trend tracking but at the individual segment level (e.g., Ford F-150, Toyota Camry) and projects forward 30–60 days with P10/P50/P90 confidence bands — something the MUVVI does not offer.
Know where auction prices are heading
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