What is car depreciation?
Have you ever wondered why a car you bought a few years ago is worth much less now? The amount a car depreciates varies depending on the make and model, but on average, it's between 15-35% in the first year and up to 50% or more over three years. So, if you bought a medium-sized family car three years ago, it could have lost over £12,500 in value by now. Experts at CAP Automotive say that choosing a car that holds its value well is more important in the long run than focusing on fuel efficiency. So, when you're considering buying a car, it's worth researching which models hold their value better over time.
![Car Speedometer](https://assets.nexuspointapex.co.uk/tenant_d9013b5a-4990-4f3e-beec-4e1fc85990eb/media/uploads/chuttersnap-gts-eh4g1lk-unsplash-1.jpg)
What affects a car’s depreciation rate?
Here are the reasons why some cars depreciate more quickly than others.
- Mileage – the more miles, the less the car is worth.
- Reliability – cars with a reputation for unreliability tend to depreciate faster.
- Number of owners – fewer previous owners means higher value.
- General condition – damage to the bodywork, interior, and exterior reduces value.
- Service history – a complete service history enhances value.
- Length of warranty – longer warranties increase the car's value.
- Desirability – more recent or face-lifted models tend to hold their value better.
- Size – larger luxury cars tend to depreciate more than smaller cars.
- Fuel economy – better fuel efficiency increases the car's value.
- Road tax and emissions – fuel-guzzling cars that cost more to tax or don't meet emission standards may depreciate faster.
Tips for minimising depreciation
- Keep the mileage down.
- Look after your car and repair any damage as soon as possible.
- Buy a nearly-new or used car to avoid the steepest depreciation.
- Avoid unnecessary modifications such as spoilers, wide wheels and flared wheel arches.
- Sell at the right time of year – for example, convertibles in the summer and 4x4s in the winter.
- Stick to popular colours – an outrageous shade might appeal to you, but will put off many buyers when you want to sell your car.
- Consider leasing rather than owning – then there’s no worry about the car’s depreciation, which will be built into your monthly payments.
- Do your research before buying a car – see how much values have gone down on older models and similar vehicles from the same manufacturer.
- Choose the right options when you buy – for example, metallic paint and leather are best on executive cars, while built-in sat nav and air con are desirable on mainstream cars.
- Maintain your car well – a full service history gives potential buyers peace of mind. So remember to keep all your car documents including service records and receipts safe and in one place.
- Sell your car well before its replacement model arrives in the showrooms.
![Cars lined up](https://assets.nexuspointapex.co.uk/tenant_d9013b5a-4990-4f3e-beec-4e1fc85990eb/media/uploads/koons-automotive-nfz9uz8ctkm-unsplash.jpg)
Sell your next car with Swansway
If you’re looking to sell your car before it depreciates too much then get a competitive quote in under 60 seconds with Swansway. With over half a century of experience, you can trust that selling your car from Swansway is simple, risk-free and competitive.