Top 5 Used Cars That Hold Their Value

Value loss is the main expense in car ownership, averaging 29.3%. After leaving the dealership, a new car loses in price by about 15%. And in the first three years of operation, models lose on average 20% to 40% of their original value.

Compact crossovers lose the most – about 34%, followed by compact cars (31.8%) and mid-size models (31.6%). Sub-compact cars and mid-size crossovers lose less: 27.9% and 21.3%, respectively. The figures may differ within the same segment. For example, VW Tiguan loses 42% in three years, while the Hyundai Creta cars hold their value and lose only 18%.

Sports cars are a separate group, where mileage is decisive. If such a car was operated tightly and covered more than 10 thousand miles a year, it will lose its price much faster than mass models.

On the secondary market, the cost of cars is determined by the level of demand, unlike the new cars market, where price tags directly depend on exchange rates and tax rates. In the pandemic, the market uptake for used cars has jumped noticeably. As a result, the prices of pre-owned cars are growing.

All other things being equal, cars with the maximum configuration and expensive factory options lose less in price. Our experts ranked the car models that will lose the least in value in the aftermarket.

• BMW 5 Series . The most profitable car in terms of sales in the aftermarket is the BMW 5 Series premium sedan. In three years, the cost of this model will be 73%, and in five years – 63%.
• Toyota Tacoma . This popular Toyota pickup takes second place among the cars that hold value. After three years of operation, cars of this model will cost 70.3% of the initial price, and after five years – 57%.
• Jeep Wrangler . This SUV is also in our top-three in value conservation. The Wrangler will cost 67.6% of the initial price in three years of use. In five years, this figure will drop to 55.4%.
• Lexus ES . This model will cost 65% from the initial price after three years and 47% after five years.
• Honda CR-V. Honda will save 64.7% of the starting price after three years and 50.7% after five years.

When you buy one of these used cars,  high chances are you will get the value after selling them in a couple of years.

Premium cars retain their charm even in second hand. It will be more comfortable, more prestigious, and will give you a pleasure that you are unlikely to obtain from a budget model. Less competition on the market brings pluses and minuses: not many offers on the market can attract to your premium car more potential buyers. But if you own a very exclusive car, it could be more difficult to sell it as few people can afford it even on the used car market.

Unlike new cars, there is no strict pricing policy on the used vehicle market. Especially unpredictable in this regard are used luxury cars, the cost of which often depends on the appetites of the previous owner than on the objective state or stuffing.

But if you come to a used car dealership, you can investigate many models at the same car lot and choose the one for your budget. This way, you get a car of the higher class for the same money you would have to pay for a new one.

If you ever have bought a new vehicle, you know the bitter feeling when, immediately after the car leaves the gates of a dealership, it significantly loses in price. Luxury cars are also susceptible to this effect and, in daily use, manage to lose most of their value over several years.

When it comes to pre-owned cars, the price does not melt so rapidly. Bad news for the first owner, but quite a pleasant nuance for all subsequent ones.

Another plus of buying a used luxury car is that you usually get a high-class interior with the finest materials used. The only thing that can ruin the purchase is noticeable signs of wear and tear and minor malfunctions, but here you will have to be careful in the selection process.

Many will say that this factor does not matter. However, your image depends on the car prestige as much as on an expensive watch or a pair of shoes. And luxury brands manage to keep the charm around their cars for years, unlike conventional manufacturers that offer relatively inexpensive vehicles.

With premium models of previous years, manufacturers kept the production quality at a level inaccessible to modern mass production.

The weak point of all used cars is outdated technology. Recently, the pace of system development has accelerated. The electronic assistants which 5 years ago were considered a breakthrough in the world of technology are now available on almost every model. In this regard, premium cars with extensive life experience may seem outdated due to their technological lag behind modern trends. Against the new models equipped with LCD screens and sensors, cars even five or ten years old sometimes look and feel a little archaic. However, such a feature of old vehicles may be pleasant: this is a matter of personal taste.

In the first years, the fall in prices occurs most intensively, and later it slows down. It may turn out that, after a couple of years, your used car will cost the same money you have bought it for. It may even add value due to the market situation.

Now, in the used car market, the price situation can change very quickly and dramatically. Don’t miss out on great deals – check out the available cars now and come to Indy Auto, Indianapolis to buy the car that will be your best investment!  Our car lot also serves Westfield, Fishers, Carmel, Avon, Zionsville, Southport, Beech Grove, and Greenwood. And don’t worry, if you need a lift to the dealership, we’ll provide you with a 30-mile Uber drive for free!