Hedonic Methods of Price Measurement for Used Cars

A hedonic technique for calculating the consumer price index for second-hand cars was introduced in May 2003. The hedonic technique adjusts for quality by using regression analysis to measure the impact of product features on sale price. In this manner price changes that are due to quality shifts in specific features can be separated mathematically from “pure” price changes and purged. The following essay describes the methods underlying the hedonic price index for used cars.