The current shortage of new cars has pushed up used prices, but there are still some models that lose a huge proportion of their value over three years…
Depreciation is often overlooked when people are deciding what car to buy. But while other running costs, such as fuel consumption, servicing and road tax, are important, they rarely add up to as much as the amount a new car loses in value over the first few years of ownership.
True, depreciation isn’t all bad news; if you’re buying used and choose carefully, it can allow you to get a lot of car for your money. Just bear in mind that a car that loses a lot of value initially is likely to continue depreciating faster than rivals.
Here, then, we’ve used our latest resale value data to reveal the 10 models that are expected to lose the highest percentage of their original price in the first three years. All figures are based on the trade-in value for an example that’s covered 36,000 miles.
10. Maserati Ghibli
Model V8 Trofeo List price £107,420 36k/3yr resale value £41,400 Price drop £66,020 Retained value 38.54%
The Ghibli looks special and could be the departure from the norm some buyers seek, especially in V8 Trofeo form. However, this is one of those instances where standing out carries a high price – specifically, £66k in depreciation over three years.
Read our full Maserati Ghibli review or see how much we can save you to offset the depreciation
9. Fiat 500L
Model 1.4 Hey Google List price £20,825 36k/3yr resale value £8025 Price drop £12,800 Retained value 38.53%
While it shares part of its name with Fiat’s iconic city car, this five-seat MPV is in no way compact, so even six-footers will be comfortable in the back. Unfortunately, the 500L feels its age in most other respects, with that reflected in low second-hand prices.
Read our full Fiat 500L review or see how much we can save you to offset the depreciation
8. DS 9
Model 1.6 Puretech 225 Rivoli List price £44,705 36k/3yr resale value £16,750 Price drop £27,955 Retained value 37.47%
Most people in the market for a prestige saloon buy from one of the big German brands, which explains why our residual value experts expect this little-known French model to suffer heavy depreciation. The fact that it’s inferior to drive probably doesn’t help its cause, either.
Read our full DS 9 review or see how much we can save you to offset the depreciation
7. BMW 8 Series Convertible
Model 840i sDrive M Sport List price £83,975 36k/3yr resale value £31,200 Price drop £52,775 Retained value 37.15%
The BMW 8 Series Convertible shows that a premium badge doesn’t guarantee strong resale values, but there’s still a lot to like about it. Performance is effortless, it handles surprisingly well for such a big drop-top, and its infotainment system is the best around.
Read our full BMW 8 Series Convertible review or see how much we can save you to offset the depreciation
6. Peugeot 108
Model 1.0 72 Collection List price £14,960 36k/3yr resale value £5550 Price drop £9410 Retained value 37.10%
As a city car, you’d expect the 108 to feel nimble in town, and it doesn’t disappoint. What’s more it’s very cheap to run – right up until the point when you sell it and you see how much you’ve lost in depreciation.
Read our full Peugeot 108 review or see how much we can save you to offset the depreciation
5. Lexus LS
Model 500h List price £82,125 36k/3yr resale value £28,850 Price drop £53,275 Retained value 35.12%
Lexus’s flagship saloon offers hybrid power, a high-quality interior and loads of standard equipment. However, it’s let down by its lumpy ride, disappointing engine refinement and weak resale values.
Read our full Lexus LS review or see how much we can save you to offset the depreciation
4. Fiat Tipo
Model 1.0 List price £19,595 36k/3yr resale value £6850 Price drop £12,745 Retained value 34.96%
The Tipo family hatchback is spacious and safe, plus big discounts are available if you buy through our free New Car Buying service. You’ll need every penny you can save upfront, though, to offset what you’ll lose in the first three years.
Read our full Fiat Tipo review or see how much we can save you to offset the depreciation
=2. Fiat 500C
Model 1.0 Yachting List price £22,145 36k/3yr resale value £7575 Price drop £14,570 Retained value 34.21%
Lots of people love the 500C’s retro styling, so it’s a huge seller. However, that’s a double-edged sword, with the sheer number of secondhand examples that are available pushing down values.
Read our full Fiat 500C review or see how much we can save you to offset the depreciation
=2. Maserati Quattroporte
Model V8 Trofeo List price £130,140 36k/3yr resale value £44,525 Price drop £85,615 Retained value 34.21%
The Quattroporte is supposed to be a sporty take on the luxury saloon, but in reality it doesn’t feel especially sharp. What’s more, the ride can be brittle and the infotainment system feels dated. All of this makes it easy to understand why it depreciates as quickly as the V8 Trofeo version accelerates.
1. Audi A8
Model 50 TDI quattro Vorsprung L List price £102,935 36k/3yr resale value £34,075 Price drop £68,860 Retained value 33.10%
Sometime you just don’t get what you deserve in life. The A8 is more refined than its chief rival, the Mercedes S-Class, plus its ride is incredibly supple and the interior feels like it’s been constructed to the very highest standards. Yet despite all these strengths, it loses a higher proportion of its value than any other car currently on sale.
Read our full Audi A8 review or see how much we can save you to offset the depreciation
Keyword: The 10 fastest-depreciating cars 2022