A Glass’s Guide report has revealed that the cars with the best residual value in the UK are from MINI, with first year depreciation running at just 16.4 per cent.

When it comes to buying a car, many of us decide how much we can afford to spend and then go and look for a car that fits our budget. But what we should really be looking at is how the car we want will be worth in the future – its residual value. Glass’s study scrutinised cars at one, three, five and seven years old to obtain fair depreciation figures.

According to Glass’s, the MINI depreciated by as little as 16.4 per cent in its first year, the strongest residual values of any of the 34 car manufacturers Glass’s looked at, and even the options added by many buyers saw the residual values higher still.

Glass’s Andrew Jackson said:
"Considering that MINI operates within a classically high-RV-performing segment, combined with the desirable nature of the brand, meant that even for vehicles aged seven years, the percentage of cost new that can be expected from a MINI was appreciably more than any other brand."

So before you jump in to a new car based on its headline price, have a look at the total cost of ownership over the time you have the car – you’ll probably discover a ‘more expensive’ MINI will actually cost you less in the long term than a car with a lower headline price.

Read more:
Which car has the best residual value? A MINI

 

First-year depreciation is only a real factor if you are selling after one year. If you keep the car three years, the cumulative three-year depreciation is important.

If you keep the car until it falls apart, depreciation isn't much of a factor at all...

 

MINIs are addictive. You'll want more.

 

Meh if you are buying a car with the intention of getting rid of it in a year or two, you should by certified pre-owned cars and just bounce between them. Waste of money in my opinion to buy a car and trade it a year later.

 

No car holds it value. If you're going to spend the money for a nice car, get something that makes you happy. If your thinking of residual value, then you should just lease a car or like Porthos said, find a certified used car. For me I personally don't care what my residual value is on my cars or my motorcycles. I buy what makes me happy.