Car Depreciation Calculator UK

On average, a new car loses 15-35% of its value in the first year and around 50-60% over three years. The exact rate depends on the make, model, fuel type, mileage, and condition. Premium and luxury cars tend to depreciate fastest in absolute terms, while economy cars hold a higher percentage of their value.

The sweet spot for most categories is 2-3 years old. By this point, the car has already taken its biggest depreciation hit (year 1), but still has plenty of life, warranty, and modern features. You typically save 35-45% compared to buying new.

Yes. In our database of 1,000,000+ UK price observations, diesel cars lose roughly 3-4% more value per year than equivalent petrol models — driven by emissions concerns, ULEZ charges and shifting buyer preferences. This is especially pronounced in cities with clean air zones.

Not yet, on average. Across our 1,000,000+ UK price observations, used EVs are currently losing roughly 6-7% MORE value per year than equivalent petrol cars — falling new-EV prices and range anxiety on older models have dragged used values down. Hybrids are the strongest performers in our data, holding value around 3-4% per year better than petrol.

Higher mileage accelerates depreciation. In our data, cars driven over 12,000 miles per year lose roughly an extra 3% annually compared to average-mileage cars, while low-mileage cars (under 6,000 miles per year) hold their value slightly better and command a premium on the used market. For traders, sourcing low-mileage stock is one of the best ways to maximise resale value.