How to Avoid Car Depreciation

What is Car Depreciation?

Quite simply put, depreciation is the difference between the amount your car costs when you buy it and the amount you trade in or sell your car for. It is also inevitable; all vehicles will suffer some form of depreciation.

That amount of depreciation varies between manufacturers and models. However, most cars will suffer their biggest loss in value in the first year and gradually slow down over the next three years. By the eighth year, most cars depreciation will be negligible. To give you figures as a comparison, in the first year a car can depreciate between 15 and 35%. With up to a 50% depreciation over a three year period.

Depreciation is often overlooked as a factor when buying a new car, with consumers often focusing on other factors such as fuel consumption. However, choosing a car that has a slower depreciation value will save you more money in the long run.

What Are the Main Causes of Depreciation?

Running Costs and Fuel Consumption:

We are moving towards a far greener economy, as such cars that guzzle gas are becoming less desirable. Carbon emissions play a factor in a car’s desirability. Larger vehicles that require more fuel are as such suffering the biggest hit in the depreciation stakes.

The type of fuel is also beginning to be a consideration when consumers are in search of a new vehicle. Whereas Diesel used to be considered the most economic and environmentally friendly of the fuels, it has been demonised somewhat in recent years.

Likewise, cars with larger petrol engines are seen to be undesirable by many who wish to reduce their carbon footprint.

Duel fuel and electric cars are slowly becoming more popular as an alternative, so are possibly going to hold their value for longer.

However, it is worth remembering that not everyone has the same needs and while change is happening, it is not immediate.

Size and Type of Vehicle:

Larger and more luxurious models often depreciate faster than their smaller counterparts. This is mainly due to the higher running, repair and maintenance costs.

High Mileage:

The average annual mileage of a vehicle is 10,000 miles per year. So if your car has clocked less than the average mileage it will be more valuable. However, if the mileage is more than 10,000 miles per year, it will depreciate faster and be worth less than the average.

Poor Condition of the Vehicle:

Obviously, a car that has visible signs of damage to the bodywork, interior or electronics will make the vehicle less valuable than one that is in pristine condition.

Poor Service History:

A well-maintained car that has a full-service history will reassure a potential buyer that the car is in good condition. However, if you do not have a full-service history, this will lead to your vehicle being worth less than one that has a full history.

High Number of Owners:

A vehicle that has a single previous owner is more desirable than one that has many. So, the more previous owners a car has, the more the value of the car is likely to depreciate.

Bad Reputation:

A reputation for unreliability is a major factor that can turn a consumer off. Some cars have a poor reputation due to reviews in the media that have damaged their re-sell prices quite significantly.

High Road Tax:

All cars are not created equal when it comes to road tax. The higher the fuel consumption, the higher the tax and the lower the re-sell value.

Undesirables:

Unfortunately, we are in a society where having the latest features matter. If you have a car that is an older model that doesn’t have all the newest design feature, it will be less desirable to potential buyers than the model that is all bells and whistles.

How to Minimise the Depreciation

All is not lost, there are things you can do to help your car’s depreciation rate slow down. Not all of the following tips will be able to be applied to your current car. Hopefully, they will be able to inform your choice when buying a new car.

Warranty

If your car has a manufacturer’s warranty, selling it with some of the warranty left could increase its value. Most manufacturers will offer a standard 3-year warranty, while some will offer up to 7-years. If your car has a good proportion of the warranty left on it, this will help give you a better price when selling.

While buying a more in-demand car that has low running costs, such as city cars, may lessen your depreciation, these cars are obviously not right for everyone.

Record Keeping

As such it is important to take measures to avoid as many of the pitfalls described above. Keep comprehensive records of services, MOT certificates and any repairs carried out. Try to keep your mileage low and your maintenance high. A car that is seen to be in good condition will be worth much more than one that is not well maintained and looks shabby.

Modifications

While keeping good records is essential, one thing that does seem to lower the cost of resale is adding on your own modifications. Added spoilers, bigger exhausts and tinted windows, for example, may give the impression of a ‘boy racer’ vehicle which could put many buyers off. While these may be appealing to some people, most will want the car without modifications.

Another thing you should do before buying a car in the first place is shop around. Buying a car for a lower price initially will reduce the percentage of depreciation when you come to sell the car.

Avoid Brand New Cars

Also buying a car that is used or nearly new will negate you suffering the loss of that high initial depreciation when you come to re-sell.

Try to avoid ‘custom’ colours. Not everyone will want a bright pink car for example. Cars that sell the best are usually grey, black, white, or silver.

Timing

The time of year you decide to sell your car may also impact on the amount you get for it. Not many people will go looking for a convertible for example during a long cold rainy winter. Traditionally larger vehicles and 4×4’s sell better in the colder months. Convertibles and sports cars generally are most popular in the summer months.