Cars that hold their value

Depreciation rates: cars that hold their value - at Moneyweek.co.uk - the best of the week's international financial media.

If you are thinking about buying a new car, don't do so without considering the results of a recent study by Which? magazine. Which? found that new cars lose between half and three-quarters of their value during the first three years that you own them. The rate of depreciation depends on a range of factors, including the manufacturer's reputation, mileage, condition, reliability and running costs. But the number one factor is desirability. Stylish cars such as the Mini hold their value well, while the Nissan Primera - which Which? recommends for its safety, reliability and security - is bottom of the depreciation table. Why? Because nobody fantasises about owning a Nissan.

It is true that cars depreciate differently, but treat these statistics with caution, says Miles Brignall in The Guardian. Which? uses full list prices, and while that might make sense on a BMW, where discounting is thin on the ground, you can pick up a Primera from a broker for £11,400 - much less than the list price of £15,250. This "rather makes a mockery" of the Which? figures for depreciation. Also, more expensive cars often require more expensive parts and that makes them less good value over time.

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