Cars That Best Hold Their Value

Sorry, sorry, sorry... but vehicles tend to lose money like a bad gambler. In fact, depreciation is often the most significant expense motorists face. But not all machines are created equal. Whereas some plummet in value others maintain a high percentage of their original sale price. As such, This is Money and car valuation experts Glass has compiled a fascinating countdown of potentially sound investments. This is based on petrols and diesels registered on “59” plates, that have covered 37,000 miles. Let us start with petrols:

Position 5: Suzuki Jimny 1.3 83bhp JLX Est 3d. New price: £9,641. Current value: £6,075. Percentage held: 63%.

Position 4: Fiat 500 Convertible. New price: £11,210. Current value: £7,150. Percentage held: 63.8%.

Position 3: Audi Q7 3.6 FSI V6 276bhp Quattro S Line Stn Wag 5d Tiptronic. New price: £42,635. Current value: £28,000. Percentage held: 65.7%.

Position 2: Ford Focus RS 2.5 301bhp RS H/b 3d. New price: £24,730. Current value: £16,375. Percentage held: 66.2%.

Position 1: Fiat 500 1.2 69bhp Sport H/b 3d. New price: £9,140. Current value: £6,275. Percentage held: 66.7%.

That brings us to diesels:

Position 5: Land Cruiser Amazon 4.2 TD Stn/wag 5d 24v TD Amazon auto. New price: £49,575. Current value: £34,625. Percentage held: 69.8%.

Position 4: Skoda Octavia 2.0 TDi PD 140bhp Scout Est 5d. New price: £20,100. Current value: £14,200. Percentage held: 70.7%.

Position 3: Audi Q5 2.0TDI 141bhp quattro S Line Stn/wag 5d. New price: £30,120. Current value: £22,475. Percentage held: 74.6%.

Position 2: Skoda Yeti 2.0TDI CR 4x4 140bhp Elegance Stn Wagon 5d. New price: £21,115. Current value: £16,050. Percentage held: 76%.

Position 1: Toyota Land Cruiser 4.5 D-4D Stn/wag 5d auto. New price: £54,510. Current value: £43,325. Percentage held: 79.5%.

This raises a fascinating question. Why do some vehicles maintain a high percentage of their value? The answer is supply vs. demand. If second-hand stock of a particular model is limited - and lots of people want it – prices tend to be high. There have also been occasions when used vehicles have been worth more than new, identical, examples. Why? Because they were available immediately whereas new buyers were placed on waiting lists. As for why specific models are coveted, this is subjective – but factors such as fashion, longevity, and capability play theirs parts. Where can I buy a cheap Land Cruiser?