I had to look at some stats the other day and it seems that electric cars outperform diesel and petrol when it comes to holding their value. Apparently a study of more than 7000 cars by our sister title What Car? revealed electric and hybrid models retain most value over three years and 30,000 miles, with diesels depreciating the fastest.
That’s interesting, because for me it brings into sharp focus just how irrelevant resale value is. Apparently everyone now buys cars on a PCP basis, so although the future value affects the monthly payments, the used cash buyer wants to hear the bad resale news because it makes that model cheaper for them to buy.
Just so you know, the new car money is going into the premium brands. They will be buying Range Rover Evoque P250 R-Dynamics, which lost the lowest percentage over three years (retaining over 70% of its £38,675 price tag) and 30,000 miles. Audi A3 e-tron, Porsche Cayenne E-Hybrid and Toyota RAV4 all retain more than 63% of their purchase value in specific trim configurations.
The less resilient ’lecky and hybrid cars are headed by Renault’s Renault Zoe in R110 i Dynamique Nav trim, holding just 26.6% of its value. Meanwhile, the other high depreciators are all oil-fired and include the Fiat Doblo and Fiat Tipo, Vauxhall Astra Sports Tourer and Peugeot 308 SW diesel. A prestige badge, however, does not protect anyone from a drop in value, so the Maserati Quattroporte V6 diesel, BMW 420d convertible and Jaguar XJ V6 are also at the bottom end of the chart.
So there’s your instant guide to what you should be buying in a few years’ time when the PCP expires. I would leave it even longer for a full shakeout of values, and, mostly for the stupidest of reasons, it doesn’t look at all good for diesels.
It’s a great time then to buy an XJ 2.7 TDVi or two as a tidy 2006 example with just over 100,000 miles is £4500 and falling. These are not skanky private sales but car dealer ones with warranties and include long-wheelbase Executive spec examples. If that’s a bit rich, drop a zero and for £450 a 2005 Renault Clio 1.5 dCi Expression with a functioning MOT is yours. It delivers EV levels of minimal cost but with a stress-free range. It will always be worth nothing, or something provided it remains roadworthy.
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Again Ruppert?
Once again Ruppert is telling us to go and buy old diesels that had 10 times the current level of harmful emissions allowed - and that was before they became 13 years old!! I don't want these cars driving outside my house as I walk my young children to school thank you James. This dinosaur of a reporter is nearly as out of date as the cars he is promoting!
Deputy wrote:
Well they haven't been banned from roads as yet and keeping old cars going is a lot healthier for the environment. I bet there are lots of 13+ year old cars passing you on your walk to school with the kids.
Deputy wrote:
Your post strongly suggests that you have read his columns previously...so treat them in the same way as one does when a tv programme does not appeal...reach for the off button, or in this case, cease and desist reading his output and leave the rest of us to enjoy his opinions.