Ten fastest depreciating new cars revealed: Nine are EVs and lose up to 72.7% of value

The new cars that lose the biggest chunk of their value after three years have been revealed – and the majority of them are electric vehicles.

Out of 20 of the fastest-depreciating cars in the UK, 15 are EVs. And looking only at the top ten models that are losing the most value, nine are electric.

The ten biggest depreciating new cars are set to lose between 69 and almost 73 per cent of their original price when they reach 36 months old, which typically translates to tens of thousands of pounds, analysis of CDL Vehicle Information Services data by Auto Express shows

One luxury electric vehicle retains just 27 per cent of its value by the time it is three years old and has covered an average of 36,000 miles – leaving owners who paid £51,000 new with a motor worth just £14,000.

Steve Walker, of Auto Express, says depreciation is 'one of the biggest costs of running a car' and adds that the data shows that it’s not always the most expensive models that lose the most money.

Depreciation hits hardest in the first 12 months but slows down significantly after years three to five.

Research shows that, on average, a vehicle on the UK market loses 45 per cent of its value by the time it is three years old. But the cars featured here are haemorrhaging a lot more than that...

Out of the top 10 fastest depreciating new cars in the UK, nine are electric. This is Money, using Auto Express analysis, can exclusively reveal which new models lose their value the fastest 

To work out which cars are depreciating at the quickest speed, Auto Express looked at the on the road price of each model, and then its predicted retained value three years later and with 36,000 miles on the clock.

The three-year story tells it all: the top 20 quickest-depreciating cars fail to hold onto even a third of their original value over 36 months.

Why is this rapid depreciation happening?

'With more choice, falling prices and heavy discounting in the new car market, some models are losing value particularly quickly,' Walker explains.

'That’s bad news for new buyers, but a potential opportunity for used-car shoppers to pick up a bargain.' 

But while new electric cars are prone to shedding thousands of pounds in value, the rising in cost of petrol and diesel has seen an increase in values for older electric cars in recent weeks.

This is because the initial depreciation they have suffered has made them inexpensive options for those on tighter budgets looking to ease the strain of soaring fuel prices on their household spending. 

Data shared with This is Money shows that some three-year-old EVs have increased in price by as much as 28 per cent in the last six months alone.

In 10th place is the Mercedes EQE - the first Mercedes electric saloon on the list. It retains only 31% of its value after three years

10. Mercedes EQE – 69% depreciation

The Mercedes EQE is a luxury electric saloon that rivals the BMW i5. With a range of up to 422 miles on a single charge, it's capable of covering long distances.

New prices start from £69,365, but the average amount Britons pay – according to Auto Express – is a heftier £86,615.

And yet, after three years or 36,000 miles, the EQE's average part-exchange value is just £26,850 – representing an average retained value of just 31 per cent.

The second Mercedes saloon in the top 10: The EQS is the EV equivalent of the S-Class. The ultra-luxury EV depreciates fast with a 69% value drop in three years

9. Mercedes EQS – 69% depreciation

The EQS is another electric Mercedes saloon, but this one is ultra-luxurious – a distinct step above the EQE. Essentially the electric equivalent of the S-Class, it is primarily designed as a chauffeur car.

As well as being more luxurious than the EQE, it also boasts a superior range – up to 500 miles on a full battery, with 199 miles of range added in just ten minutes of charging.

But none of that helps it hold its value: despite an eye-watering average new price of £104,540, the EQS retained only 31 per cent of its value after three years leaving it worth just £32,375.

The Audi e-tron GT is a luxury grand tourer that depreciates quickly. It loses 69.3% of its value in three years

8. Audi e-tron GT – 69.3% depreciation 

The Audi e-tron GT is a four-door electric performance car featuring the brand's legendary quattro technology in a sporty, high-end electric package.

The grand tourer can sprint from 0-62mph in four seconds and boasts 576bhp. It can also manage up to 384 miles on a single charge and recharge from 10 to 80 per cent in 18 minutes. However, its second-hand value retention pales in comparison to its acceleration figures. 

On average, Britons spend £107,875 on a new one but after three years it retains just 30.7 per cent of its value. That means an average part-exchange value after three years of £33,150.

The Fiat 500e isn't expensive to start with but it doesn't retain its value well: it saw a 69.8% depreciation in three years

7. Fiat 500e – 69.8% depreciation

The Fiat 500e ranking in seventh place shows that heavy depreciation isn't confined to luxury cars – budget EVs are feeling the pinch, too.

The retro EV delivers 199 miles of range and a tight 9.6m turning circle – making it a nimble city runaround. It can also be relatively affordable, with new models available from £20,995.

However, based on an average price of £28,035, Auto Express found that it's worth just £8,475 in part-exchange value after three years or 36,000 miles.

Subaru's only all-electric offering depreciates fast. The Solterra SUV retains just 29.7% of its value after three years

6. Subaru Solterra – 70.3% depreciation

The Solterra SUV is Subaru's sole all-electric offering and is the sister car to the Toyota bZ4X.

Buying into the Japanese brand's electric debut will prove costly three years down the line, with Auto Express revealing the model retains just 29.7 per cent of its value at this stage.

The £52,495 EV fetches an average part-exchange value of just £15,575 at the three-year mark – leaving owners with little to show for their investment.

The Audi A8 is the only combustion car in this top 10. It loses 70.7% of its value in three years

5. Audi A8 - 70.7% depreciation

The Audi A8 is the only non-electric model to make the list of fastest-depreciating new cars. That said, the luxury limo was discontinued in the UK earlier this year, though you can still buy zero-mileage examples from existing stock at dealers today.

The executive saloon – offering up to 282bhp – carried a hefty average price tag of £103,620 new. 

Analysing that price point, Auto Express found that the average part-exchange value just three years later is a paltry £30,325, meaning the A8 holds onto just 29.3 per cent of its original value.

The Vauxhall Corsa Electric may be popular but it retains only 28% of its value at the three-year mark

4. Vauxhall Corsa Electric – 71.6% depreciation

The first of two Vauxhalls on the list, the Corsa Electric is a popular choice that offers an easy transition for first-time EV buyers thanks to its familiarity with the petrol version.

With an average new price of £32,635, it sits on the more affordable end of the EV spectrum and offers up to 220 miles of range. However, popularity and accessibility haven't protected its long-term value.

Auto Express found the Corsa Electric retains just 28 per cent of its value after three years or 36,000 miles, yielding an average part-exchange return of just £9,275.

The Vauxhall Astra Electric is the third fastest depreciating car losing 72% of its value by year three

3. Vauxhall Astra Electric – 72% depreciation

The Vauxhall Astra Electric offers a practical, family-friendly vehicle with zero tailpipe emissions and almost price parity with its combustion-engine brethren. 

And it's pretty leggy too: it boasts up to 281 miles of range on a single charge, which is among the highest for a family EV.

While a new Astra Electric typically costs an average of £37,250, Auto Express found it is worth a modest £10,425 via part-exchange after three years or 36,000 miles, retaining just 27 per cent of its value.

The second fastest depreciating car is the Citroen e-C4. The French electric car drops 72.3% in value in three years

2. Citroen e-C4 - 72.3% depreciation

The Citroen e-C4 electric hatchback features a 380-litre boot, 271 miles of range and two trim options.

With an average new price of £32,895, Auto Express revealed that it retains virtually none of its value after three years, holding onto just 27.7 per cent.

A part-exchange after three years or 36,000 miles will fetch owners just £9,125 back.

The Lexus UX 300-e is the fastest depreciating car. It retains just 27.3% of its value after three years

1. Lexus UX 300-e – 72.7% depreciation

Topping the list as the fastest-depreciating car in the UK is the Lexus UX 300e – a luxury SUV costing over £50,000 new that sheds value at an alarming rate.

The Japanese electric compact SUV was discontinued late last year, but represented Lexus's first entry into the all-electric market. You can still get new examples from dealers.

While comfortable and premium, it fell short on practical space and offered a modest 279-mile range.

Owners who paid the average £51,145 new price for a UX 300e will be dismayed to learn their SUV retains a meagre 27.3 per cent of its value after three years or 36,000 miles. With a part-exchange value of just £13,950 after that period, buyers face a steep loss on their investment.

Steve says: 'It’s unusual to see a Lexus among the fastest-depreciating cars, as the brand’s reputation for reliability and quality, combined with relatively limited supply, usually helps its models hold their value. But even Lexus hasn’t escaped the depreciation hitting many electric cars.'

TOP 20 FASTEST DEPRECIATING CARS

Rank	Model	Average new price	Average part-ex value (3 years/36,000 miles)	Average retained value (3 years/36,000 miles)
1	Lexus UX-e	£51,145	£13,950	27.3%
2	Citroen e-C4	£32,895	£9,125	27.7%
3	Vauxhall Astra Electric	£37,250	£10,425	28.0%
4	Vauxhall Corsa Electric	£32,635	£9,275	28.4%
5	Audi A8	£103,620	£30,325	29.3%
6	Subaru Solterra	£52,495	£15,575	29.7%
7	Fiat 500e	£28,035	£8,475	30.2%
8	Audi e-tron GT	£107,875	£33,150	30.7%
9	Mercedes EQS	£104,540	£32,375	31.0%
10	Mercedes EQE	£86,615	£26,850	31.0%
11	Peugeot 408	£48,860	£15,200	31.1%
12	Porsche Taycan	£162,255	£50,475	31.1%
13	BMW i5	£110,045	£34,650	31.5%
14	Citroen Berlingo	£25,330	£8,075	31.9%
15	Ford Mustang Mach-E	£74,550	£23,775	31.9%
16	Vauxhall Mokka-e	£38,105	£12,175	32.0%
17	BMW i7	£143,530	£46,050	32.1%
18	Mercedes-Maybach S-Class	£350,000	£112,700	32.2%
19	Mercedes-Maybach SL-Class	£243,450	£78,575	32.3%
20	Genesis GV60	£58,515	£20,750	35.5%
Source - Auto Express - analysis of CDL Vehicle Information Services (CDL VIS)