Slowest depreciating cars: the cars that hold their value best

When you buy a new car, you don't need a calculator to know that depreciation will set in as soon as you drive it off a dealer's forecourt. Even if you're buying a car on finance, depreciation data is vital because the amount of money the car is predicted to be worth at the end of the finance agreement impacts how much you pay per month. It all means that getting a car that depreciates slowly will have a very positive effect on your overall running costs, so here are the UK’s slowest depreciating cars.

In simple terms, depreciation is the difference between what a buyer paid for the car and what it’s currently worth, otherwise known as its residual value. Place a new car’s depreciation in a graph, and the line will start at a high point and fall over time. Cars that depreciate slowly will be worth more than fast depreciating cars and will work out cheaper to own overall.

Unless you're buying a highly sought after limited-run performance car, then the new car you buy will probably suffer from depreciation at some level. It's just a fact of life, as a car that has been used by a previous owner isn't as attractive as a brand-new one. There are obviously older classic cars that appreciate in value as they become rare and more desirable over time, but with most modern vehicles the residual value is only going one way. There are cars out there, however, that can limit your losses.

We've listed the best depreciation performers on the market below using the latest depreciation data based on models three-years old with 36,000 miles on the clock. This irons out any initial spikes in desirability as a new car comes to market, and gives a good indication of how much a car will be worth over the lifetime of a typical finance deal. 

The 10 slowest depreciating cars in the UK

Our expert market analysis data shows that these are the models that hold their value best, read on to find them listed below...

10. Porsche Macan

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• Variant: Macan 2.0T
• Retained value: 63.04%
• Average new price: £55,675
• Average retained value: £35,100

This is one of the trends you’ll come to see a lot among the slowest-depreciating cars: the entry-level version of an otherwise highly desirable car. The regular four-cylinder Porsche Macan holds more than 63 per cent of its value after three years, with a ready market of used buyers only too willing to snap these cars up as soon as they hit the market, and with no more diesel, the 2.0T is the one that keeps running costs to a minimum. So although it’s far from being the best Macan to drive, and can’t touch the V6 models for performance or sound, it loses less value than any of them.  

9. Mercedes-Benz V-Class

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• Variant: V220 2.0d Extra Long Premium
• Retained value: 63.16%
• Average new price: £75,680
• Average retained value: £47,800

It’s no surprise to see a Mercedes among the slowest depreciating cars. It might be more of a surprise to see a V-Class. But then the Mercedes badge matters in just about any market segment, and with the V-Class being a favourite among high-end private hire firms, airport shuttle operators and similar, the Merc’s reputation, quality, space, and features, all ensure it holds more than 63 per cent of its value after three years on the road. This Extra Long model comes with seven or eight-seat layout options, and the 220d engine promises 47.1mpg. 

8. Dacia Duster

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• Variant: 1.0 TCe Bi-Fuel Essential
• Retained value: 63.35%
• Average new price: £18,745
• Average retained value: £11,875

The sole representative from the lower end of the car market, the smart-looking all-new Dacia Duster can be bought outright for less money than the depreciation alone of the other slowest-depreciating cars on this list. While the £11,875 it’s worth after three years doesn’t seem like a lot, that’s still more than 63 per cent of its new list price, in entry-level Essential trim. If you don’t fancy slumming it with the basic car though, the higher-spec Dusters don’t shed their value too rapidly either – being so affordable to start with, Dacias as a whole don’t seem to depreciate very quickly thanks to the value pricing when new and steady demand for used models.

7. Land Rover Discovery Sport

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• Variant: P270e PHEV
• Retained value: 63.81%
• Average new price: £152,770
• Average retained value: £33,675

Land Rovers and Range Rovers typically fare well with depreciation, in the UK at least. For all the tales of patchy reliability, their classy image, tastefully restrained styling, the promise of worry-free all-weather ability, and relatively limited supply means they’re permanently in demand, and that keeps values high. The Land Rover Discovery Sport earns a place on this list by retaining nearly 64 per cent of its value after three years, in P270e plug-in hybrid form, but it’s a great car too, with a practical seven-seat layout and a cosy, comfortable cabin.

6. Toyota Land Cruiser

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• Variant: 2.8D Invincible
• Retained value: 63.94%
• Average new price: £74,995
• Average retained value: £47,950

A nearly unsurpassed reputation for longevity and reliability means Toyota Land Cruisers tend to shed their value at a glacial rate, and the forecast is good for the very latest model, too. It no doubt helps that Toyota has stated it doesn’t plan to bring many into the country; as we write this, the UK’s allocation has already sold out, and Toyota can’t provide any details on future availability. New models are currently selling well over list as a result, but after three years, once the hype has died down a bit, our experts reckon it’ll still hold nearly 64 per cent of its new value.

5. Bentley Flying Spur

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• Variant: Flying Spur V8
• Retained value: 65.61%
• Average new price: £177,760
• Average retained value: £116,625

Life is just a little bit better from behind the wheel of a Bentley Flying Spur. Or indeed from the rear seats of one, or even just staring at it on your driveway. That sense of well-being with Bentley’s Continental GT-based saloon carries over to its values, too, which buck the trend for big luxury saloons; in V8 form, it’ll still be worth 65.61 per cent of its new value after three years, on average. Okay, that’s still a drop of around £60,000, but no other grand luxury saloon gets close for retained value. Plus, it’d be a shame not to hang onto the Spur for much longer than three years anyway.

4. Porsche 911 GT3

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• Variant: 911 GT3 (manual gearbox) 
• Retained value: 67.79%
• Average new price: £149,060
• Average retained value: £101,050

The data marks out that it’s the manual transmission-equipped model in particular that is the value-retention champ in the 911 GT3 range, and indeed the 911 range as a whole. PDK might be appealing for the new car buyer, but there’s a ravenous market of enthusiasts out there waiting to grab manuals whenever they filter onto the used market, which probably contributes to the GT3 manual holding onto nearly 68 per cent of its value three years and 36,000 miles down the line (though few GT3s are likely to have this many miles after three years). In the meantime, GT3 owners will enjoy one of the best engine and gearbox combinations in any new car.

3. Mercedes-Benz G-Class

• Variant: AMG G63 
• Retained value: 67.95%
• Average new price: £194,595
• Average retained value: £132,225

A darling among those who want to make a statement, the Mercedes-AMG G63 is the most expensive car among our top ten, yet also one of the slowest-depreciating, holding onto nigh-on 68 per cent of its £194,595 list price after three years and 36,000 miles. The G63’s bold and brash image, thundering V8 soundtrack and imposing form will all be in demand until the oil runs out (something the G63 seems to have little concern for) which keeps used values strong many years down the line.

2. Land Rover Defender

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• Variant: 110 P300e
• Retained value: 68.79%
• Average new price: £86,600
• Average retained value: £59,575

The only car to stay in the top ten since we last covered the slowest depreciating cars, and indeed, the only car to keep its exact spot, as the Land Rover Defender took second place last time, too. That said, it’s the mid-sized 110 model that seems to lose its value the slowest at the moment, rather than the short-wheelbase 90. In particular, the P300e plug-in hybrid is the model holding most of its value, at not far off 69% of what you’ll pay new – a car bought for £86k today should still be worth nearly £60k after three years.

1. Porsche Cayman GT4 RS

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• Variant: 718 Cayman GT4 RS
• Retained value: 69.64%
• Average new price: £128,300
• Average retained value: £89,350

Only one Porsche tops the GT3 for retained value, and it’s the madcap GT4 RS, the slowest-depreciating car in the UK. It has all the hallmarks of a slow-depreciating car: limited availability, the right badge, and it’s the most special variant of a car already in demand among motivated, enthusiastic buyers. The RS is the kind of car that tends to trade above its new price shortly after launch, but even a car doing 36,000 miles over three years should still be worth 69.64 per cent of its new value after that time. It just so happens to be one of the most exciting driver’s cars around, too.

Top 10 slowest depreciating new cars in the UK 

1. Porsche Cayman GT4 RS
2. Land Rover Defender
3. Mercedes-AMG G63
4. Porsche 911 GT3
5. Bentley Flying Spur
6. Toyota Land Cruiser
7. Land Rover Discovery Sport
8. Dacia Duster
9. Mercedes-Benz V-Class
10. Porsche Macan

​Car depreciation: the best of the rest

With the top 10 covered off, let’s take a look at some of the models that just missed the cut. The table below shows the top 20 slowest depreciating cars in the UK. If you’re looking for a new car, these are currently the safest places to put your cash.

That’s the models that hold their value best, now let’s take a look at the fastest depreciating cars…