The 10 fastest-depreciating cars 2026
We don't want to diminish your excitement of buying a new car, but it's important to remember how much your shiny new purchase is going to be worth when you come to sell it. And the rate at which your car sheds pounds and pence – known as depreciation – varies wildly depending on which car you go for.
While depreciation rarely factors into the buying decisions of most people, it should. That's because, alongside other costs such as fuel consumption, servicing and road tax, depreciation is incredibly important. It's still important if you're buying a used car rather than a new one, too, because while high depreciation is bad news for a car's first owner, it could be good news for anyone buying used.
In this story, we've analysed the data from our free car valuation calculator to reveal the models which will lose the biggest percentage of their value over a typical ownership period of three years or 36,000 miles.
If anything takes your fancy, simply click on the relevant link to read our full review or see how much you could save by using our free New Car Deals service.
Or if you'd rather see which models make our list at a glance, we've included a table below. Or if you'd rather just know which model depreciates the most straight away, the answer is the DS 3 E-Tense Etoile, which is worth just 29% of its original purchase price after three years of typical ownership according to our data.
| Make and model | List price (new) | % value retained @ 3yrs / 36k miles | Value @ 3yrs / 36k miles | Value lost |
| DS 3 E-tense Etoile | £39,595 | 29% | £11,483 | £28,112 |
| DS No 4 E-Tense Etoile | £47,090 | 30% | £14,127 | £32,963 |
| Subaru Solterra 71.4kWh Touring Auto AWD | £55,505 | 32% | £17,762 | £37,743 |
| DS No 7 E-Tense Etoile | £52,290 | 32% | £16,733 | £35,557 |
| Vauxhall Combo Life Electric Ultimate | £36,055 | 33% | £11,898 | £24,157 |
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Best buy: E-TENSE 54kWh Pallas Auto 5dr
Strengths
- Plush and classy interior
- Quiet cruising manners
- Plenty of standard kit
Weaknesses
- Expensive to buy new
- Sub-par electric range
- Cramped rear seats
Model E-Tense Etoile | List price £39,595 | 36k/3yr resale value £11,483 | Price drop £28,112 | Retained value 29%
This small electric SUV counts the Hyundai Kona Electric, Kia EV3 and Volvo EX30 among its key rivals, but loses more value once you've covered 36,000 miles than all of those.
While the DS 3 isn't as fast as those cars, the 9.0sec 0-60mph sprint time afforded by its 154bhp electric motor will still be plenty quick enough for most drivers. And the DS does a good job of soaking up ruts and bumps in the road, with its soft suspension giving a comfortable ride, with none of the jostling you'll experience in the firmer Kona Electric.
In terms of range, the DS 3's 50.8kWh battery gives an official range of 248 miles – and our experience in the real world suggests that around 200 miles should be possible between charges.
It's a shame that the DS 3 isn't cheaper to buy in the first place – its list price is more than most small electric SUV rivals – and only undercuts the Tesla Model 3 by a small margin. At least you get plenty of kit with this Etoile version, with luxuries including 18in alloy wheels, keyless entry and Alcantara leather interior trim.
As for a warranty, DS gives you a three-year, 60,000-mile plan, which is fairly standard for this class. It's not as strong as Kia's seven-year warranty, though.
Read our full DS 3 E-Tense review
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Available now from: £24,795
RRP from: £33,385
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What Car? indicative Personal lease example (subject to status)
DS 3 E-Tense
| Expected annual mileage | 5000 |
| Term months | 60 |
| Deposit months | 12 |
| Monthly payment | £467.77 |
| Initial payment | £5,613.24 |
Step-by-step
Leasing works a bit like a long-term rental. You drive it, but you don’t own it.
- Choose your car, pick your terms and apply for lease credit online
- Pay monthly rental payments for your chosen term length
- Drive it, enjoy it, then give it back at the end
What you get
When you lease with Autotrader you get all of this:
- Full manufacturer’s warranty
- Road tax and roadside assistance included
- Free returns within 30 days*
- Lower total monthly cost than PCP/HP
- No balloon payments
- Road tax included
Best buy: 1.2 Hybrid Pallas e-DSC Euro 6 (s/s) 5dr
Strengths
- Upmarket interior
- Generally comfortable ride
- Quiet at motorway speeds
Weaknesses
- Poor interior space
- Rivals are more engaging to drive
- There are small electric cars with much better electric ranges
Model E-Tense Etoile | List price £47,090 | 36k/3yr resale value £14,127 | Price drop £32,963 | Retained value 30%
This premium take on the electric family car counts the Cupra Born, Renault Megane E-Tech and Volkswagen ID 3 among its key rivals, as well as entry-level versions of the Tesla Model 3.
Power comes from a single 211bhp electric motor driving the front wheels, giving the No 4 more power than you'd find in the closely related Peugeot e-308 or Vauxhall Astra Electric. Indeed, the No 4 can reach 62mph in 7.1 seconds, which is quicker than either of those two cars. There are many other electric cars which feel quicker still, though, including the Cupra Born.
The No 4 is definitely a car built for comfort rather than an especially engaging drive. And generally speaking, the DS does a good job of protecting you from sharper ruts and bumps inthe road. That said, the suspension still leaves the No 4 fidgeting and jostling occupants in their seats, even at lower speeds. Things settle down once you're on the motorway, though.
An official range of 280 miles should be enough for the needs of most drivers, while a 20-80% charge should take about 30 minutes if you use a charging point capable of delivering the No 4's maximum rate of 120kW.
Read our full DS No4 E-Tense review
What is What Car? best price?
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Available now from: £24,995
RRP from: £32,615
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What Car? indicative Personal lease example (subject to status)
DS No 4 E-Tense
| Expected annual mileage | 5000 |
| Term months | 60 |
| Deposit months | 12 |
| Monthly payment | £441.85 |
| Initial payment | £5,302.20 |
Step-by-step
Leasing works a bit like a long-term rental. You drive it, but you don’t own it.
- Choose your car, pick your terms and apply for lease credit online
- Pay monthly rental payments for your chosen term length
- Drive it, enjoy it, then give it back at the end
What you get
When you lease with Autotrader you get all of this:
- Full manufacturer’s warranty
- Road tax and roadside assistance included
- Free returns within 30 days*
- Lower total monthly cost than PCP/HP
- No balloon payments
- Road tax included
Best buy: 71.4 kWh Limited Auto AWD 5dr
Strengths
- Capable off-road for an electric car
- Small enough for easy manoeuvring
- Comfortable
Weaknesses
- Higher starting price than Toyota bZ4X
- Kia EV6 and Tesla Model Y can be charged faster
- No front boot to boost practicality
Model 71.4kWh Touring Auto AWD | List price £55,505 | 36k/3yr resale value £17,762 | Price drop £37,743 | Retained value 32%
If you need an electric car which can handle some light off-roading, and which you might want to tow a small caravan or trailer, then the Subaru Solterra is well worth considering.
Being only available in one fairly poytent form, the Solterra has two motors which deliver a combined 215bhp to all four wheels. That four-wheel drive, combined with driving modes which optimise the car's settings for off-road driving, mean that the Solterra can keep going through the rough stuff long after other electric cars have given up.
You'll like sitting inside the Solterra if you're the kind of driver who likes to sit high up. That's because, like the closely related Toyota bZ4X, you sit in a raised position which means you can see over some of the other road traffic you're likely to encounter.
As for space, a couple of six-footers will find that they have plenty of room to stretch out inside the Solterra, even if they're sitting behind front occupants of a similar hegight. And while some EVs offer even more boot space, the Solterra's 452-litre boot is large enough for the weekly shop.
It's a shame that the Solterra loses its value so readily, but at least the price for buying one in the first place is competitive next to its rivals.
Read our full Subaru Solterra review
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The What Car? best price shows you the cheapest way to buy your new car, whether it's by choosing an in-stock car through our partner Autotrader or placing a factory order.
RRP from: £52,505
About our price indicator
What Car? indicative Personal lease example (subject to status)
Subaru Solterra
| Expected annual mileage | 6000 |
| Term months | 48 |
| Deposit months | 12 |
| Monthly payment | £731.98 |
| Initial payment | £8,783.76 |
Step-by-step
Leasing works a bit like a long-term rental. You drive it, but you don’t own it.
- Choose your car, pick your terms and apply for lease credit online
- Pay monthly rental payments for your chosen term length
- Drive it, enjoy it, then give it back at the end
What you get
When you lease with Autotrader you get all of this:
- Full manufacturer’s warranty
- Road tax and roadside assistance included
- Free returns within 30 days*
- Lower total monthly cost than PCP/HP
- No balloon payments
- Road tax included
Best buy: E-TENSE 73.7kWh Pallas Auto 5dr (22kW Charger)
Strengths
- Lots of standard equipment
- EV has an impressive official range
- Great interior quality
Weaknesses
- Quite expensive to buy
- Not that great to drive
Model E-Tense Etoile | List price £52,290 | 36k/3yr resale value £16,733 | Price drop £35,557 | Retained value 32%
This electric version of the DS No 7 SUV loses the same percentage of its original value over three years and 36,000 miles as the Subaru Solterra above, but the No 7 ends up losing less money overall, so it gets the preferential spot here.
You can have both front and four-wheel drive versions of the No 7, with the latter getting an extra electric motor, which boosts its available performance to 345bhp. That allows this heavy electric SUV to cover the 0-62mph sprint in a quick 5.4 seconds.
With a 97.2kWh (usable capacity) battery, the No 7 E-Tense can officially take you up to 421 miles between charges. That's further than most rivals, including all versions of the Kia EV6 and even the Tesla Model Y Long Range RWD can manage. We reckon about 300 miles is what you'll get in real-world conditions, though.
We've been impressed with the interior of the No 7, because not only does it look great, but it's coated in the kind of materials which help to justify its premium billing. It's certainly a step up over the rival Citroën ë-C5 Aircross.
Etoile versions of the No 7 get a light-up front grille and matrix LED headlights, as well as parking aids to help you avoid any embarrasing scrapes. And should anything go wrong, every No 7 is covered by a three-year, 60,000-mile warranty.
Read our full DS No 7 review
What is What Car? best price?
The What Car? best price shows you the cheapest way to buy your new car, whether it's by choosing an in-stock car through our partner Autotrader or placing a factory order.
RRP from: £38,290
About our price indicator
What Car? indicative Personal lease example (subject to status)
DS No7
| Expected annual mileage | 5000 |
| Term months | 48 |
| Deposit months | 12 |
| Monthly payment | £439.90 |
| Initial payment | £5,278.80 |
Step-by-step
Leasing works a bit like a long-term rental. You drive it, but you don’t own it.
- Choose your car, pick your terms and apply for lease credit online
- Pay monthly rental payments for your chosen term length
- Drive it, enjoy it, then give it back at the end
What you get
When you lease with Autotrader you get all of this:
- Full manufacturer’s warranty
- Road tax and roadside assistance included
- Free returns within 30 days*
- Lower total monthly cost than PCP/HP
- No balloon payments
- Road tax included
Best buy: 52kWh Design Auto 5dr (7.4kW Charger)
Strengths
- Great practicality
- Decent performance despite its size
- Lots of standard safety kit
Weaknesses
- Fiddly infotainment system
- Low-rent interior
- The range could be better
Model Ultimate | List price £36,055 | 36k/3yr resale value £11,898 | Price drop £24,157 | Retained value 33%
Vauxhall's electric MPV is worth almost exactly a third of its original value after you've driven it for three years or 36,000 miles. And that's especially a shame when you consider that the Combo Life Electric is priced above entry-level versions of the closely related Citroën e-Berlingo and Peugeot e-Rifter to begin with.
Still, if space is your top priority, the Combo Life Electric is a good tool for the job. You can have it in five or seven-seat forms, and although we've so far only tried it with the former, but found that it was very spacious indeed. Your rear passengers will find they have plenty of room to stretch out, while the two outer rear seats have Isofix child seat mounting points.
The Combo Life Electric shares its 134bhp motor and battery pack with its Stellantis-badged siblings, and like those cars it can travel for an official 174 miles before you'll need to plug it in to recharge. We've been especially impressed with the Combo Life Electric's refinement, because wind and noise is well contained. Plus, the Combo Life Electric rides well over most lumps and bumps.
The combustion-engined Volkswagen Touran ultimately handles better than Combo Life Electric, but the Vauxhall does a decent job of containing body lean and it has accurate steering.
Read our full Vauxhall Combo Life Electric
What is What Car? best price?
The What Car? best price shows you the cheapest way to buy your new car, whether it's by choosing an in-stock car through our partner Autotrader or placing a factory order.
Available now from: £31,630
RRP from: £32,340
About our price indicator
What Car? indicative Personal lease example (subject to status)
Vauxhall Combo Life Electric
| Expected annual mileage | 5000 |
| Term months | 48 |
| Deposit months | 12 |
| Monthly payment | £292.88 |
| Initial payment | £3,514.56 |
Step-by-step
Leasing works a bit like a long-term rental. You drive it, but you don’t own it.
- Choose your car, pick your terms and apply for lease credit online
- Pay monthly rental payments for your chosen term length
- Drive it, enjoy it, then give it back at the end
What you get
When you lease with Autotrader you get all of this:
- Full manufacturer’s warranty
- Road tax and roadside assistance included
- Free returns within 30 days*
- Lower total monthly cost than PCP/HP
- No balloon payments
- Road tax included
Best buy: 51kWh Yes Auto 5dr
Strengths
- Reasonably priced
- Respectable charging speeds
- Plenty of standard kit
Weaknesses
- Disappointing Euro NCAP safety rating
- Rivals are better to drive
- Poor reliability record
Model GS | List price £31,240 | 36k/3yr resale value £10,309 | Price drop £20,931 | Retained value 33%
The regular Vauxhall Corsa is one of the best-selling new cars in the UK, and this pure electric version offers many of the same benefits of that car – namely, that includes a keen price and lots of standard kit for your money. However, it's also the small car which loses the biggest percentage of its value over three years and 36,000 miles of ownership.
The Corsa Electric is capable of charging up relatively quickly – minimising the time you'll need to spend at public charging stations – and it has a decent range of up to 246 miles between charges according to official figures. That's similar to the rival Peugeot e-208, but it's also worth noting that the rival MG4 has a longer range, is also keenly priced, and is better to drive.
Inside, you'll find materials which aren't quite up to the standard of the best in this class – a Renault 5 feels substantially plusher – and simple to use controls. It's a shame that adjustable lumbar support is limited to top-spec versions, though.
Read our full Vauxhall Corsa Electric review
What is What Car? best price?
The What Car? best price shows you the cheapest way to buy your new car, whether it's by choosing an in-stock car through our partner Autotrader or placing a factory order.
Available now from: £17,499
RRP from: £27,505
About our price indicator
What Car? indicative Personal lease example (subject to status)
Vauxhall Corsa Electric
| Expected annual mileage | 5000 |
| Term months | 60 |
| Deposit months | 12 |
| Monthly payment | £372.99 |
| Initial payment | £4,475.88 |
Step-by-step
Leasing works a bit like a long-term rental. You drive it, but you don’t own it.
- Choose your car, pick your terms and apply for lease credit online
- Pay monthly rental payments for your chosen term length
- Drive it, enjoy it, then give it back at the end
What you get
When you lease with Autotrader you get all of this:
- Full manufacturer’s warranty
- Road tax and roadside assistance included
- Free returns within 30 days*
- Lower total monthly cost than PCP/HP
- No balloon payments
- Road tax included
Best buy: EQE 350+ 96kWh Sport Edition Auto 4dr
Strengths
- Impressive range
- Comfortable ride
- Very refined
Weaknesses
- Poor rear visibility
- Back seats are uncomfortable on long trips
- Teslas have a better charging infrastructure
Model 53 AMG Night Edition (Premium Plus) 4Matic+ | List price £115,870 | 36k/3yr resale value £39,396 | Price drop £76,474 | Retained value 34%
This range-topping version of the Mercedes EQE gets a huge 90.6kWh battery, which is good for 290 miles. Now, that might not be as far as some rival electric cars, but let's consider the performance on offer. With 616bhp on offer, the EQE can hit 62mph in just 3.5 seconds – that's quicker than the rival BMW i5 M50 can manage.
Any version of the EQE looks premium inside, with supportive, comfortable seats and an infotainment system which is both glitzy to look at and easy to get along with. It's just a shame that while it all looks impressive, the Audi E-tron GT, BMW i5 and Porsche Taycan all feel better put together.
There's not a huge amount of space in the rear of the Mercedes EQE, because the rear bench is fixed quite low in relation to the floor. That means anyone sitting back there will find their knees are bent at an awkward angle. Plus, the swooping roofline restricts head room for taller passengers – the BMW i5 is better in this regard.
Read our full Mercedes EQE review
What is What Car? best price?
The What Car? best price shows you the cheapest way to buy your new car, whether it's by choosing an in-stock car through our partner Autotrader or placing a factory order.
Available now from: £68,365
RRP from: £69,365
Strengths
- Competitive battery range
- Well equipped
- Practical boot
Weaknesses
- Disappointing ride and handling
- Tight rear head room
- Below par safety rating
Model E-Tense Pallas | List price £51,590 | 36k/3yr resale value £17,541 | Price drop £34,049 | Retained value 34%
There's no getting away from the fact that, with four cars represented on this list, DS cars tend to lose more of their value over the first three years of ownership than most rivals. That's certainly the case with the range-topping No 8, which counts the Audi Q4 e-tron Sportback, BMW i4 and Tesla Model 3 among its key rivals.
There are three variants to choose from, but the most powerful gets you four-wheel drive and a combined 345bhp to play with. That's enough to hit 62mph from a standing start in just 5.4 seconds, which is on a par with performance-minded versions of both the i4 and the Volkswagen ID 7.
Super-light steering makes weaving the No 8 along tight urban roads a doddle, but at faster speeds that steering does little to inspire confidence. And with soft suspension, there's plenty of body lean through corners, which makes the No 8 feel rather ponderous to change direction, especially compared with rivals like the Model 3.
You can't say that the interior of the No 8 is in any way drab – indeed, it will probably be the first topic of conversation with any new passengers. It's a shame that the quality used inside is inconsistent, though, with hard plastics mid-way down its doors and on the centre console. A Model 3 feels like a more uniformly premium option.
Read our full DS No 8 review
What is What Car? best price?
The What Car? best price shows you the cheapest way to buy your new car, whether it's by choosing an in-stock car through our partner Autotrader or placing a factory order.
Available now from: £53,780
RRP from: £50,790
About our price indicator
What Car? indicative Personal lease example (subject to status)
DS No 8
| Expected annual mileage | 5000 |
| Term months | 24 |
| Deposit months | 12 |
| Monthly payment | £380.37 |
| Initial payment | £4,564.44 |
Step-by-step
Leasing works a bit like a long-term rental. You drive it, but you don’t own it.
- Choose your car, pick your terms and apply for lease credit online
- Pay monthly rental payments for your chosen term length
- Drive it, enjoy it, then give it back at the end
What you get
When you lease with Autotrader you get all of this:
- Full manufacturer’s warranty
- Road tax and roadside assistance included
- Free returns within 30 days*
- Lower total monthly cost than PCP/HP
- No balloon payments
- Road tax included
Best buy: Standard Range 50kWh PLUS Auto 5dr (7.4kW Charger)
Strengths
- Relaxing ride
- Hushed at motorway speeds
- Entry-level version is well priced
Weaknesses
- Average official range
- Not as roomy as some rivals
- Extended Range version is relatively expensive
Model Sense Plus Auto | List price £33,705 | 36k/3yr resale value £11,460 | Price drop £22,245 | Retained value 34%
This electric version of the Citroën C4 is one of the cheapest models on this list to buy new, and it's competitive next to rivals too – a Fiat 600e will cost you slightly less, while a Jeep Avenger Electric is more expensive. When it comes to how much value is left once you've covered 36,000 miles over three years, however, it's the ë-C4 which draws the short straw.
And that's something of a shame, because objectively the ë-C4 is a reasonably good car. Like most Citroëns, it's been tuned for comfort rather than an engaging drive, so it cushions you well against many of the lumps and bumps you'll find on battered British roads. The downside is that it can also feel rather bouncy when you're driving along a winding country road.
With an official range of 219 miles between charges, the ë-C4 can travel further than the Mini Aceman E, but not quite as far as the Avenger Electric, Renault 4 or Volkswagen ID 3. Extended Range versions up that figure to 256 miles, but that's still not as far as the entry-level Kia EV3 can manage.
In terms of space for people, a couple of six-footers will fit into the rear seats, but they won't be able to stretch out quite as far as they would in an EV3. Likewise, the Kia has slightly more space in its boot, taking six carry-on suitcases in our tests compared with the ë-C4's five suitcases.
Read our full Citroën ë-C4 review
What is What Car? best price?
The What Car? best price shows you the cheapest way to buy your new car, whether it's by choosing an in-stock car through our partner Autotrader or placing a factory order.
Available now from: £22,490
RRP from: £28,715
About our price indicator
What Car? indicative Personal lease example (subject to status)
Citroën ë-C4
| Expected annual mileage | 5000 |
| Term months | 60 |
| Deposit months | 12 |
| Monthly payment | £421.05 |
| Initial payment | £5,052.60 |
Step-by-step
Leasing works a bit like a long-term rental. You drive it, but you don’t own it.
- Choose your car, pick your terms and apply for lease credit online
- Pay monthly rental payments for your chosen term length
- Drive it, enjoy it, then give it back at the end
What you get
When you lease with Autotrader you get all of this:
- Full manufacturer’s warranty
- Road tax and roadside assistance included
- Free returns within 30 days*
- Lower total monthly cost than PCP/HP
- No balloon payments
- Road tax included
Best buy: 54kWh Yes Auto 5dr
Strengths
- Pretty comfortable
- Decent electric range
- Plenty of standard kit
Weaknesses
- Depreciates quickly
- Cheap-feeling interior
- Regular versions aren’t as fast as some rivals
Model Ultimate | List price £38,105 | 36k/3yr resale value £13,337 | Price drop £24,768 | Retained value 35%
Ultimate versions of this small electric SUV aren't left wanting for kit, with matric LED headlights, adaptive cruise control and wireless phone charging included among the list of standard equipment. That pushes the price up, though, and ultimately means that the, erm, Ultimate, loses the most value out of any model in the Mokka Electric line-up.
The Mokka Electric can cover a similar number of miles on a charge as key rivals including the Renault 4 and Ford Puma Gen-E, and no matter which version you choose, a maximum charging speed of 100kW means that a 0-80% top-up could take as little as half an hour.
If you regularly cover lots of motorway miles, then you'll find the Mokka Electric to be a very comfortable companion. That's because its suspension is set up to be quite soft, meaning that it does a good job of gliding over imperfections in the road surface.
A tall window line and tapered roof means that the rear seats of the Mokka Electric can make you feel a bit hemmed in. The rival Hyundai Kona Electric offers more space, as does the EV3 and Volvo EX30.
Read our full Vauxhall Moklka Electric review
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Read more: The 10 slowest-depreciating cars >>
What is What Car? best price?
The What Car? best price shows you the cheapest way to buy your new car, whether it's by choosing an in-stock car through our partner Autotrader or placing a factory order.
Available now from: £23,000
RRP from: £32,505
About our price indicator
What Car? indicative Personal lease example (subject to status)
Vauxhall Mokka Electric
| Expected annual mileage | 5000 |
| Term months | 60 |
| Deposit months | 12 |
| Monthly payment | £417.04 |
| Initial payment | £5,004.48 |
Step-by-step
Leasing works a bit like a long-term rental. You drive it, but you don’t own it.
- Choose your car, pick your terms and apply for lease credit online
- Pay monthly rental payments for your chosen term length
- Drive it, enjoy it, then give it back at the end
What you get
When you lease with Autotrader you get all of this:
- Full manufacturer’s warranty
- Road tax and roadside assistance included
- Free returns within 30 days*
- Lower total monthly cost than PCP/HP
- No balloon payments
- Road tax included
