Car depreciation | Which cars depreciate the least and the most? (2024)

The blogInsight into car depreciation: which vehicles retain their value best

October 12, 2023

How does depreciation affect the value of your car?

Car depreciation | Which cars depreciate the least and the most? (1)

If you've ever bought a new car, you've often heard that it loses up to 30% of its value as soon as you drive it off the lot. This immediate drop in value may not seem drastic, but it continues to decline.

Although exotic cars generally retain their value for longer, depreciation is fundamental in the automotive world. It's one of the reasons why drivers choose itsecond-hand carsor they use it to help calculateexchange value.

So what can you expect within the first year, or after a few years of driving a new car? Depreciation is simply a fact of life for any vehicle; it's just a matter of how much of that value is lost and why.

This blog explores what depreciation is, how to calculate it, and how to take a few simple steps to minimize it.

Click below to go to the main points:

What is depreciation on a car?
What causes a vehicle to deteriorate?
How is depreciation calculated for insurance?
How to protect your vehicle against depreciation
How much does a car depreciate per year?
Top 10 cars that depreciate the least
What should I do if my VIN has been tampered with?
Which car brands have decreased in value the least?
Which car brands have lost the most value?
Car depreciation over five years for all vehicle types
Frequently asked questions about car depreciation

What is depreciation on a car?

When it comes to cars,Depreciation explains how much the car's value has fallen over time. It's the difference between what you paid for the vehicle and its current value. Cars will fall for many reasons includinghow many kilometresyou drove and how well you maintained it.

With car insurance, depreciation can affect how much you get reimbursed when youfile a claim.

What causes a vehicle to deteriorate?

Vehicles fall due to many factors. Some cars retain their value better, such aspick-up trucks,SUV'sand sports cars.Electric vehiclesand luxury sedans are reportedly losing value faster. Some of the top cars with the lowest depreciation are Toyotas and Jeeps over BMW cars, which take three of the top ten spots for the highest rate. Here are a few more reasons why it will fall:

  • The more kilometers a vehicle has, the higher the depreciation.
  • If a car is 'like new', it retains its value for longer. The more scratches and damage, the lower the value.
  • Cars with betterfuel efficientis depreciated more slowly.
  • If your vehicle has a high safety and reliability rating, it will retain its value.
  • Technology such as Bluetooth, wireless charging and remote starting are becoming increasingly popular and even standard in most cars. If yours doesn't have it, it could lower the value.New car safety featuresis also a bonus.

How is depreciation calculated for insurance?

Insurance companies calculate the true cash value of a vehicle by taking into account its age, mileage, make and model, fuel economy and wear and tear. Older vehicles lose their value over time as new models are introduced to the market.

The value of a car decreases with the number of kilometers it has been driven. Cars with a better reputation and better fuel economy retain their value better. Cars known as "gas guzzlers" depreciate more quickly. Wear and tear also reduces the value of a vehicle.

How to protect your vehicle against depreciation

Depreciation is inevitable, but there are a few things you can do to minimize the impact on your vehicle. Here are a few tips to minimize depreciation:

  • Schedule regular maintenance:Follow plannedcar maintenance. Regular oil changes, adjustments and usewinter tirescorrectly can help extend the depreciation.
  • View mileage:If possible, avoid putting too many miles on your vehicle.
  • Be a safe driver:Accidents will have a huge effect on depreciation. Minimizedistraction while drivingand notdrove down.
  • To add an approval:Insurance companies offer a depreciation waiver, orinsurance approval, which covers the lowest purchase price of your vehicle, the manufacturer's recommended retail price, or the price of the same vehicle. If you're looking for insurance on a new vehicle, ask your licensed auto insurance broker if you qualify for depreciation waivers.

How much does a car depreciate per year?

Car depreciation | Which cars depreciate the least and the most? (2)

Although the largest amount occurs when driving from the ground,some cars can lose 20% of their original value within the first year. After the fifth year it could have lost up to 60% of its original value.

All vehicles depreciate at different rates, so exact depreciation varies significantly from vehicle to vehicle.Research shows that the number of new cars falls by 20-30% every year.

However, to get a rough estimate, you can look up the current market value of your car and subtract it from the purchase price. Don't forget to leave out any taxes or fees you paid.

If you're considering buying a car, look up the fair market value of older versions of the make and model to get an idea of ​​the car's value in the future. It's important to remember that every vehicle has a different depreciation rate.

Here is an example of a calculation that can help you estimate how much your new car will depreciate annually:

  • After year one = Purchase price x 0.20%
  • After year two = year one value x 0.10%
  • After year three = year two value x 0.10%

Based onOMNICalculator: If you spend $32,000 on a brand new vehicle, depreciation would reduce the value to approximately $25,920 after one year, $22,080 after two years, and $18,560 after three years. It's important to remember that every vehicle has a different depreciation rate when calculating yours.

Top 10 cars that depreciate the least

Different types of cars depreciate more slowly. This is possible thanks to the history of the vehicle and the improvements based on its construction - the manufacturers do not change much in the exterior and interior from year to year; That is why driving a new model is not much different than driving an older model. On average, the slowest speed cars depreciate 11% to 37% per year, compared to 50% or more.

VehicleAverage depreciation over 5 yearsAvg. $ difference from suggested retail price
Jeep Wrangler 7,3%$ 2.361
Jeep Wrangler Unlimited8,7%$ 3.344
Porsche 91114,6%$ 20.634
Toyota Tacoma14,9 %$ 5.926
Honda Civic16,3%$ 4.237
Subaru BRZ18,2 %$ 5.985
Ford Mustang19,4 %$ 7.528
Toyota Corolla19,8 %$ 4.617
Nissan Versa19,9%$ 3.183
Chevrolet Camaro20,2%$ 7.981

For some, buying a car is a major investment. However, some of these cars will experience a huge drop in depreciation - some will depreciate twice as much. Here's a look at the top 10 vehicles that are depreciating the fastest:

iSeeCars.com analyzed the above vehicles from 2017-2022.

Here is a table showing the five-year average depreciation of different vehicle segments. Electric cars and midsize SUVs have the highest depreciation rates, while midsize trucks and SUVs have the least depreciation.

Car depreciation is an unavoidable aspect of car ownership. However, you can minimize its impact by planning carefully and taking into account the factors that influence it. By choosing the right make and model, practicing responsible driving and taking good care of your vehicle, you can get the most out of your investment.

Car depreciation | Which cars depreciate the least and the most? (2024)
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