If someone in your family needs a small run around, you may have a gut reaction about what car to buy.
You might think, “I’ll buy a Ford or Fiat because it will be cheap.”
You might think, “A Volkswagen because it may be expensive, but won’t lose much.”
These are all reasonable guesses, but as Used Car Expert’s latest depreciation index reveals, they can be completely wrong, depending on the specification you choose. Here are three picks based on having had a heavy depreciation loss over the last 12 months – which makes them cheap for you to buy:
Volkswagen Polo
Bigger safer and more refined than before making it deservedly one of the better small car buys. You will have to save up though as prices are very firm indeed.
Most economical: 1.4TD
Best used buy: 1.9 TDI
UsedCarExpert.com checks: 9
Used Car Expert price guide: A 2004 1.9 TDI with average mileage of 50,000 will be around £4833, having lost 34% of its value over the last year.
Fiat Punto
Very good value when new and very cheap when used. Plenty of room inside which makes it extremely practical and running costs are low. The perfect small shopping and commuting hatch.
Most economical: 1.5D Multijet
Best used buy: 1.2 Active Plus
UsedCarExpert.com checks: 8
Used Car Expert price guide: A 2006 1.2 Active Plus with 25,000 miles will be around £4308, having lost 34% of its value over the last year.
Renault Modus
Renault's response to the Honda Jazz is clever use of space that creates a very practical alternative to the Clio.
Most economical: 1.2 P
Best used buy: 1.2 Expression
UsedCarExpert.com checks: 0
Used Car Expert price guide: A 2006 1.2 Expression with average mileage of 23,000 will be about £5151, having lost 34% of its value over the last year.