Depreciation - save now, pay later - Introduction

A low list price can make a car seem good value – but it’s what a car costs over three years that’ll make a difference to your bank balance

It's the way of the world: a Mazda costs less than a Mercedes-Benz and a Vauxhall is cheaper than a Volkswagen. You pay extra for a premium badge, and the only thing you get in return is something posh to plonk on your driveway – accept it, move on.

Wait a minute, though. This might seem the case if you glance at the prices of new cars, but dig deeper into the overall cost of ownership and often it can be the more expensive car that ends up saving you money in the long run.

It’s all down to the costs of running a car – primarily depreciation, but also running bills. Adding up these costs gives the What Car? Three-Year Cost, and proves that you really can have your cake and eat it.