(Based on the large family car section of Used Car Expert Magazine Edition 4 2009)
In the large family sector, depreciation on nearly new cars sees main stream and premium brands all delivering firm residual prices. Good news for owners but not really a opportunity for the used car buyer. Interestingly, with older cars, for example the 2004 performers, it is the brands that are no longer in production such as MG and Daewoo that have completely bottomed out. These makes will deliver some of the cheapest motoring around. Both owners looking to hold on to their car and buyers wanting to be thrifty can benefit. With hardly any depreciation, all you have to worry about is the fuel and service bills.
Car buyers looking to get a lot of value for their money, especially if they are planning to hold the car for a few years, can find a number of exciting deals. A 2004 Jaguar S-Type for example, having lost nearly half its value over the year before doesn’t have much more to lose. So you can have luxury motoring for next to nothing and without the threat of more big losses.
Best performers
|
Year
|
Make
|
Model
|
Variant
|
Depreciation
|
|
2004
|
Daewoo
|
Nubira
|
Xtra Cool
|
1
|
|
2004
|
MG
|
ZT-T
|
ZT-T 120
|
1
|
|
2004
|
Nissan
|
Primera
|
TD S
|
1
|
| |
|
|
|
|
|
2005
|
Honda
|
Accord
|
VTEC Executive
|
1
|
|
2005
|
Mercedes
|
E-Class
|
E270 CDi Elegance
|
3
|
|
2005
|
Vauxhall
|
Vectra
|
16v DTi Club
|
3
|
| |
|
|
|
|
|
2006
|
Kia
|
Magentis
|
CRDi GS
|
1
|
|
2006
|
Nissan
|
Primera
|
16v SX
|
1
|
|
2006
|
Ford
|
Mondeo
|
Edge
|
2
|
| |
|
|
|
|
|
2007
|
Ford
|
Mondeo
|
Edge
|
1
|
|
2007
|
Mercedes
|
E-Class
|
E200K Avantgarde
|
2
|
|
2007
|
Subaru
|
Outback
|
SE
|
4
|
| |
|
|
|
|
|
2008
|
Vauxhall
|
Vectra
|
i 16v SRi
|
3
|
|
2008
|
Ford
|
Mondeo
|
Zetec
|
3
|
|
2008
|
BMW
|
5-Series
|
530d Sport
|
3
|
*Depreciation is percentage (%) lost over last 12 months on average.
Worst performers
|
Year
|
Make
|
Model
|
Variant
|
Depreciation
|
|
2004
|
Jaguar
|
S-Type
|
V8 S/Charged Auto
|
45
|
|
2004
|
Saab
|
9--5
|
t Arc
|
46
|
|
2004
|
Citroën
|
C5
|
I 16V Exclusive
|
47
|
| |
|
|
|
|
|
2005
|
Volvo
|
S80
|
D5 SE Luxury
|
36
|
|
2005
|
Mercedes
|
E-Class
|
E320 CDi Elegance
|
38
|
|
2005
|
Citroën
|
C5
|
I 16V Exclusive
|
41
|
| |
|
|
|
|
|
2006
|
Audi
|
A6
|
T FSI SE
|
39
|
|
2006
|
Ford
|
Mondeo
|
Edge
|
39
|
|
2006
|
Citroën
|
C5
|
I 16v VTR
|
54
|
| |
|
|
|
|
|
2007
|
Kia
|
Magentis
|
SE H-Matic
|
33
|
|
2007
|
Mazda
|
6
|
S
|
33
|
|
2007
|
Saab
|
9--5
|
t Vector
|
38
|
| |
|
|
|
|
|
2008
|
Honda
|
Accord
|
CDTi Sport
|
27
|
|
2008
|
Volvo
|
S80
|
D5 Executive
|
29
|
|
2008
|
Peugeot
|
407
|
Sport V6 HDi FAP Automatic
|
32
|
Depreciation is percentage (%) lost over last 12 months on average
For a full price on any of these cars, average mileage and depreciation trends, see the price guide magazine.