When buying a new car, one of the big considerations is always going to be how much value it will lose by the time you come to sell.

For driving instructors who tend to change their training vehicle every two or three years, its resale value is an important business consideration. A lower rate of depreciation ultimately means that the car costs you less over the duration of time.

The research, carried out by Zutobi, reveals that the Volkswagen Polo and Golf are the lowest depreciators over three years. They are closely followed by the Land Rover Range Rover & BMW 6 Series Gran Turismo.

 

The cars with the lowest depreciation rates after 3 years…

These are the cars that retain the most value, therefore costing the least over the lifetime of ownership:

 

Rank Make Model List Price Average Value After 3 Years Average 3 Year Depreciation Rate Average Value Lost
1 Volkswagen Polo £15,045 £13,649 9.28% £1,396
2 Volkswagen Golf £20,955 £18,867 9.96% £2,088
3= Land Rover Range Rover £83,665 £75,184 10.14% £8,481
3= BMW 6 Series Gran Turismo £43,790 £39,351 10.14% £4,439
6= Porsche 718 Cayman £44,074 £39,229 10.99% £4,845
5= Mercedes-Benz C-Class £28,995 £25,807 10.99% £3,188
7= Citroen Berlingo £19,430 £17,127 11.85% £2,303
7= Toyota C-HR £21,885 £19,291 11.85% £2,594
7= Lotus Evora £75,100 £66,198 11.85% £8,902
10 Porsche Panamera £67,898 £59,791 11.94% £8,107
11= Porsche Macan £46,913 £40,543 13.58% £6,370
11= BMW Z4 £40,815 £35,273 13.58% £5,542
11= Suzuki Celerio £8,999 £7,777 13.58% £1,222
11= Porsche 718 Boxster £44,758 £38,680 13.58% £6,078
15 Suzuki Ignis £11,499 £9,838 14.44% £1,661
16= Lamborghini Huracan £155,400 £132,952 14.45% £22,448
16= Audi SQ7 £76,360 £65,329 14.45% £11,031
16= Mercedes-Benz GLA-Class £25,120 £21,491 14.45% £3,629
19 Citroen C3 £16,120 £13,511 16.18% £2,609
20 Land Rover Discovery £47,445 £39,766 16.19% £7,679

 

The Polo’s price reduces by 9.28%, whilst the Golf decreases by 9.96%.

The two stalwarts of the Volkswagen brand are some of the most popular and best-selling cars in the UK. A brand-new Volkswagen Polo will cost £15,045, which will decrease to £13,649 after three years.

Following the two VW’s, the Land Rover Range Rover and the BMW 6 Series Gran Turismo are in third place. Both cars depreciated in value by 10.14%, with the Range Rover still retaining a value worth more than £75,000 after three years. Though I know of few ADIs training in these luxury motors, but it would make an interesting option.

 

The cars with the highest depreciation rates after 3 years…

These are the cars that lose the most value, therefore costing the most over the lifetime of ownership:

 

Rank Make Model List Price Average Value After 3 Years Average 3 Year Depreciation Rate Average Value Lost
1 Mitsubishi Shogun Sport £37,840 £15,745 58.39% £22,095
2= Audi A6 Allroad Quattro £54,555 £22,713 58.37% £31,842
2= Vauxhall Combo Life £20,135 £8,383 58.37% £11,752
4 Infiniti Q50 £43,440 £18,972 56.33% £24,468
5= Lexus IS £31,900 £14,255 55.31% £17,645
5= BMW 7 Series £69,565 £31,087 55.31% £38,478
7 Audi A8 £71,695 £32,761 54.31% £38,934
8= Audi S8 £83,925 £39,191 53.30% £44,734
8= Maserati Quattroporte £74,320 £34,706 53.30% £39,614
10 Jeep Compass £23,450 £11,185 52.30% £12,265
11 Peugeot 5008 SUV £27,545 £13,157 52.23% £14,388
12= Peugeot 3008 SUV £25,395 £12,364 51.31% £13,031
12= Nissan Leaf £31,495 £15,334 51.31% £16,161
14 Peugeot 508 £25,044 £12,441 50.32% £12,603
15= Hyundai i800 £27,400 £13,881 49.34% £13,519
15= Mercedes-Benz E-Class £36,070 £18,274 49.34% £17,796
15= Vauxhall Viva £10,485 £5,312 49.34% £5,173
18= Kia Sportage £20,670 £10,674 48.36% £9,996
18= Peugeot 508 SW £40,819 £21,079 48.36% £19,740
20 Volvo XC60 £37,785 £19,881 47.38% £17,904

 

On the other end of the scale, the Mitsubishi Shogun Sport has the highest average rate of depreciation over three years, with 58.39% of its value lost.

The start price for a Shogun Sport is £37,840, but in just three years, it is only worth £15,745, making it the highest depreciating car in the UK.

The off-road vehicle is only narrowly followed by the Audi A6 Allroad Quattro and the Vauxhall Combo Life, with both cars having a depreciation rate of 58.37%.

You can view the full research here.