Sadly, it’s a known fact that almost all new cars drop in value the moment you collect the keys and get behind the wheel for the first time. At this point, they’re no longer ‘new’ – and if you plan to sell up soon after, you’ll need to be prepared to take a significant loss on your investment. 

This point still applies even while used car prices continue to soar. At the same time, it’s worth knowing that not all new cars depreciate at the same rate. The slowest depreciators are typically those with high demand and good reputations for reliability and other factors. 

 

That being said, some high performers still depreciate fast because of high starting prices –making alternative purchase options like personal leasing more viable. But if you do want to buy outright, you might want to avoid the following five models to hold onto more of your cash. 

 

Mercedes-Benz S-Class

 

This German luxury saloon offers a smooth ride and plenty of tech, making it a popular choice for wealthy executives and high-earning businesses. But those of us with more restricted budgets should steer clear of a car which retains only 34.2% of its value across a three-year period, according to Auto Express. 


Audi A8

 

Sticking in the same category, the Audi A8 is a rival to the S-Class both in terms of performance and depreciation. The average A8 retains just 34.5% of its starting price of £73,338 – though this is close to half what a new S-Class will set you back, so the loss may not feel quite as grating. 

 

Subaru Impreza

 

Rally fans look away now. The latest Subaru Impreza lacks the appeal of its famous predecessors, and typically depreciates by close to £15,000 in its first three years or 36,000 miles. Cost-conscious readers may be better off choosing another model in the competitive SUV market.

 

Aston Martin Rapide

 

Ironically for a car named ‘Rapide’, this four-door Aston Martin depreciates frighteningly quickly. You’re likely to lose over 60% of its value through the first three years of ownership – so it’s worth looking at alternatives like the Porsche Panamera or Aston Martin DBX instead. 

 

BMW 2 Series

 

Many cars in the BMW range hold their value well due to the desirable reputation of the badge. But the 2 Series Active Tourer has failed to find much of a market, and subsequently sees £18,262 slashed from its value not long after purchase. For many would-be buyers, it seems this multi-purpose vehicle doesn’t quite fulfil any one purpose well enough. 

 

None of these cars are inherently bad, of course, with many respected names making it onto the list. But being aware of which models lose money faster will put you in a better position if you plan to upgrade in the near future.