Carmoola’s analysis of 40 million car sales, in collaboration with Brego, has revealed that the Hyundai i10 is the most depreciation-proof car sold in the UK.
It lost on average 16.6% of its original value in the first three years or 36,000 miles. At a current average sale price of £9,134, a Hyundai i10 would only lose £1,516 in that time.
Aidan Rushby, founder and CEO of Carmoola, said: “While traditional petrol and hybrid vehicles continue to demonstrate steady value retention, it’s apparent that rapid advancement of technology and concerns about battery longevity is continuing to impact the EV market.
“For savvy consumers, this underscores how smart it can be to invest in a used car. A three-year-old vehicle, for example, often offers much of the same tech and aesthetics as a brand-new model, but at a significantly lower cost. It’s a prime example of making a financially savvy and sustainable choice.
“Among budget-friendly options, the Hyundai i10 stands out as the most cost-effective purchase, combining excellent value retention with affordability and practicality.”
Porsche topped the list as the brand with the best value as vehicles lose just 24.1% of their value after three years.
Cars from French DS tend to lose half (50.2%) of their value within three years.
Hybrids lose 60% of their value by year ten, followed by petrol cars at 63%, but EVs experience the sharpest depreciation as they lose 43% of their original value after the first three years.
The Renault ZOE and Nissan Leaf saw two-thirds of their original value depreciate – dropping 67.4% and 64.6% from their original price, respectively. At a current average sale price of £9,175, a Renault ZOE would lose £6,184 in a three year period.
Car colour also plays a significant role in depreciation. Traditional shades (black, grey, and silver) depreciate the fastest. Vibrant colours (orange, purple, and yellow) retain more of their value.
By year ten, orange cars lose only 61% of their initial value, while purple and yellow maintain 62% and 65%, respectively.