top of page

Slowest Depreciating Cars of 2025



One of the key factors in choosing your next car is how much it will depreciate, or its residual value. A car that holds its value well can lead to lower monthly payments on your financing, better trade-in offers, and more equity or cash when it’s time to sell.


A vehicle that retains more of its value than others can make your decision easier, potentially influencing which make or model you choose. To determine which cars hold their value the best, we look at the percentage of their value retained after 3 years and 36,000 miles, which is the industry standard.


With the arrival of 2024, data from CDL Vehicle Information Services has been analysed by Auto Express, revealing which cars retain their value better than the rest. On average, new cars retain 47.7% of their value after 3 years and 36,000 miles, regardless of fuel type.


When looking at the difference between vehicle types, electric vehicles (EVs) retain over 15% less of their value compared to combustion engine cars, according to Auto Trader’s data. As the availability of new combustion engine vehicles continues to shrink in the coming years, will this gap widen further? Only time will tell.


With that in mind, here’s our countdown of the Top 10 Slowest Depreciating Cars as of early 2025:


10 – Porsche Macan


The Macan has been one of Porsche’s top-selling models since its debut, with over half a million units sold worldwide since 2014. Thanks to the soaring popularity of SUVs and Porsche’s commitment to making the Macan one of the most fun to drive, it's easy to see why it’s such a strong seller.


What’s particularly interesting is that while the latest Macan has switched to an all-electric powertrain, the combustion engine version remains available in the UK and North America for the foreseeable future. It’s the petrol-powered model that currently holds 10th place among the slowest depreciating cars, despite the growing popularity of the new electric variant.


Starting at just under £56,000, the smallest of Porsche’s SUVs retains 63% of its value after 3 years and 36,000 miles, which means a part-exchange value of just over £35,000. Interestingly, the electric version is also one of the slowest depreciating EVs on the market, but it retains just 59.4% of its value, which falls short of the petrol model’s residual value. With the combustion engine variant likely to be phased out as a new vehicle in the coming years, this could mean it holds its value even better moving forward.


9 – Mercedes V-Class


If you need to transport more than 7 people and their luggage at once, your options as a new car buyer are fairly limited. Aside from opting for a minibus or using two cars, you're left with choices like the Ford Transit-based Tourneo Custom, the Land Rover Defender 130, or the Mercedes-Benz V-Class. When it comes to brand prestige, the Defender certainly carries the same luxury badge as the Mercedes, but it falls short in terms of space and practicality. On the other hand, while the Ford offers the same seating capacity and the added benefit of windows, it may still carry the “white van man” image that some buyers might want to avoid.


The Mercedes-Benz V-Class offers an executive level of comfort and refinement for all 8 passengers, while easily accommodating a significant amount of luggage. Its versatility and reliability mean that, even with a limited selection of models available for transporting multiple people, you don’t have to sacrifice luxury or desirability.


Despite its starting price of just over £75,000, the V-Class retains more than 63% of its original value, meaning that after 3 years and 36,000 miles, its trade-in value is around £47,800. Larger executive vehicles often struggle to maintain their value over time, but the V-Class seems to defy that trend—perhaps due to the rarity of a vehicle that can comfortably seat 8 people.


8 – Dacia Duster


Who would have expected that among this collection of luxury cars from some of the most coveted brands in the automotive world, there would also be a budget-friendly option? With the cost of almost everything—especially new cars—rising sharply in recent years, it’s not so surprising that affordable alternatives are in high demand. Though Dacia was founded in 1966, it was primarily popular in Eastern Europe, especially in its home country of Romania. After being acquired and rebranded by Renault in 2008, the brand was set to expand across Europe, and in 2013, it made its debut in the UK.


Given the rising popularity of SUVs in recent years, it's no surprise that the Dacia Duster has become one of the brand's best-sellers. In fact, it’s second only to the Sandero and accounts for nearly a quarter of all Dacia vehicles ever sold, totalling around 2.4 million cars. Starting at just £18,850, the Duster offers off-road capability, ample space for the whole family and their luggage, plus a host of tech features such as a touchscreen display, lane-keep assist, traffic sign recognition, cruise control, hill-start assist, parking sensors, tyre pressure monitoring, and more—all as standard.


This exceptional value for money has fuelled growing demand, and the Duster’s strong residual values reflect that. Thanks to its ability to retain value, the Duster depreciates slowly, losing an average of just £6,870 after 3 years and 36,000 miles. That’s only 36.7% of its original value, leaving a residual value of 63.3%. This proves that while you’re saving money upfront, you’re not sacrificing the value it holds when it’s time to sell.


7 – Land Rover Discovery


The Land Rover Discovery was originally launched as a bridge between the rugged, utilitarian Defender and the comfort and luxury of the Range Rover. Its goal was to offer all the off-road capability you could ever need, while also being versatile enough for everyday use, like the school run, without ever having to leave the tarmac. After 5 generations and 36 years, the Discovery has evolved into a sub-brand of its own within the Land Rover/Range Rover family.


Even though the current Discovery 5 has been around for nearly 8 years, its appeal and desirability are still going strong among buyers. The latest version is more refined and luxurious than ever, offering the premium feel of the Range Rover, along with top-tier technology and off-road capability, all at a significantly lower price. Its size also makes it a more versatile and well-equipped option for those in search of the perfect family SUV that can handle any terrain.


With a starting price of over £52,000, the Discovery retains 63.8% of its value, meaning it loses just over £19,000 after 3 years and 36,000 miles. Despite being due for a replacement soon, the Discovery's popularity and demand remain high, which is reflected in its strong residual value. With the next model likely to feature hybrid or even electric power, it remains to be seen if it will maintain the same level of appeal. However, with the current model being the best version of the Discovery to date, it’s likely to remain in demand for some time to come.


6 – Toyota Land Cruiser


The Land Cruiser has been on sale in one form or another for nearly 75 years. With over 10 million units sold during that time, the model has seen 15 different iterations across Light-Duty, Heavy-Duty, and Station Wagon versions. Remarkably, the heavy-duty variant is only in its third generation, with the current J70 model having been available, largely unchanged, since 1985. In contrast, the '40 Series' was replaced after just 25 years. The Light-Duty version, however, is the only one focused on luxury and enhanced on-road capability, and it’s the one that’s received the most significant redesign with the introduction of the all-new model.


Many of the latest models on the market have taken design inspiration from their iconic past, with plenty of brands offering one or two classic models that continue to have a loyal following. However, only the very best can successfully tap into that nostalgic appeal when launching a new model heavily influenced by a legendary vehicle. For their latest smaller iteration, Toyota has drawn inspiration from the likes of the G-Class, Defender, and even the Suzuki Jimny, blending retro styling with modern updates—a trend many manufacturers are embracing today.


The new 2024 Land Cruiser is widely regarded as the best-performing version on the road to date. With its styling reminiscent of classic Land Cruiser models, it’s also seen as the most visually appealing and a strong contender against the latest Defender. Starting at £75,000, the Land Cruiser isn’t exactly affordable, but then again, what premium cars are these days? Thanks to its strong demand and desirability, it's currently unavailable for purchase directly through Toyota’s website, and its value is holding up impressively well in the pre-owned market. A 3-year-old model with 36,000 miles is expected to retain just under £48,000 of its value—an impressive 64%.


5 – Bentley Flying Spur


Large executive saloons typically don’t retain their value well, but the saloon version of the hugely popular Continental GT defies that trend. While it may have a higher starting price compared to rivals from Mercedes, Audi, Porsche, and BMW, it offers superior luxury, a more prestigious image, and exceptional refinement. Despite the higher initial cost, it manages to hold its value better than many competitors. With the recent announcement of a hybrid-assisted Continental GT and a potential Flying Spur variant on the horizon, now could be the perfect time to secure the current, purely combustion-powered model.


While large luxury saloons are typically known for depreciating significantly over relatively short periods, the Flying Spur defies this trend. With a starting price of over £175,000, a loss of more than £60,000 after 3 years and 36,000 miles might seem steep. However, when you consider that’s just 34.4% of its original value, the Flying Spur has actually outperformed many of the models on last year’s list, climbing from 10th to 5th place for best residual value.


4 – Porsche 911


While large luxury saloons are typically known for depreciating significantly over relatively short periods, the Flying Spur defies this trend. With a starting price of over £175,000, a loss of more than £60,000 after 3 years and 36,000 miles might seem steep. However, when you consider that’s just 34.4% of its original value, the Flying Spur has actually outperformed many of the models on last year’s list, climbing from 10th to 5th place for best residual value.


Porsche owners and buyers are some of the most picky when it comes to looking for the perfect specification to ensure their 911 is exactly the way they want it. From the options that merely make the car look just right, to the ones that make it perform better on the road or around a racetrack, for some it just has to have the right boxes ticked. As a result, the 911 remains a very in demand model especially those with all the right equipment.


A well specified 911, perhaps a GTS or Targa, is the best chance (of the non-GT products) of seeing the most return on your original purchase price. With a reasonable specification GTS costing around the £150,000 mark, it manages to retain around 68% of its value after 3 years and 36,000 miles, with a part exchange price of a little over £100,000. Whilst losing around £48,000 of the value isn’t small change, it does outperform its competitors.


3 – Mercedes Benz G-Class


The G-Class has always been a formula that shouldn’t work, yet it remains an incredibly desirable vehicle. Its utilitarian design and retro styling combined with the latest technology and Mercedes-Benz luxury may seem like an odd mix, but in the G-Class, it comes together perfectly, and its popularity is as strong as ever. Originally designed for military use to navigate the toughest terrains, the latest G-Class is a far cry from its humble beginnings, more likely to be spotted on the most exclusive streets than showcasing its off-road prowess.


While many people associate the G-Class with the powerful G63 AMG, there are actually several models in the lineup. The recent announcement of an all-electric G-Class is likely to attract new buyers and boost sales, but it’s unlikely to diminish the appeal of the current range of combustion engine models. For those not seeking the full AMG experience, there’s also the G450 Diesel and the G500. However, it’s the 605hp G63 that holds its value the best.


Aside from the coveted 'Magno Edition' and the 'Manufaktur Edition', it’s the well-specified ‘base’ G63 that retains the most residual value. With a few added options, the price tag is close to £200,000 for the ultimate AMG SUV experience. On average, a 3-year-old G-Class with 36,000 miles will retain around £130,000 of its value—about 68% of its original price. With its iconic retro looks and the roaring V8 engine, the G63 offers the ultimate G-Class experience, and while this model may not be around forever, demand is only expected to grow until then.


2 – Land Rover Defender


It remains to be seen whether the fans of the 'original' Land Rover Defender are the same as those who are drawn to the 'new' model, but the demand for the latest version has clearly exceeded even Land Rover’s expectations. Despite selling in the tens of thousands, the Defender’s strong demand has kept its residual values impressively high. With its unbeatable off-road performance, on-road comfort, and just the right mix of retro styling and utilitarian design, the Defender continues to enjoy widespread popularity.


While the Range Rover and Range Rover Sport are set to receive all-electric versions soon, there’s been no mention of an electric Defender for the time being. That’s likely to come with a completely new version, meaning the 2025 Defender, aside from some minor updates, will largely look the same as it did when it launched in early 2020. This consistency helps keep variations between models minimal, ensuring demand stays high without the presence of a “pre-facelift” model that could cause a dip in values.


As a result, the Defender remains the brand’s best performer in terms of depreciation. With a wide range of trims, engine options, and sizes, there’s a Defender to suit every need. The 5-door Defender 110, particularly in a high-spec version with the petrol-hybrid powertrain, holds its value the best. In a well-equipped X-Dynamic HSE with a few options, your Defender will cost around £86,000. Thanks to its "cool factor" and the current popularity of hybrids, a 3-year-old model with 36,000 miles can still fetch nearly £60,000 in part-exchange. That’s a retention of almost 69%, earning it second place on our list.


1 – Porsche 718 Cayman


Porsche continues to dominate our list of depreciation champions for another year, once again with one of their most remarkable models. The previous year's GT3 RS has been succeeded by its equally impressive counterpart, the 718 Cayman GT4 RS. Many view the GT4 RS as a fitting farewell to the combustion engine version of this iconic sports car, showcasing the full extent of Porsche's decades of motorsport engineering expertise.


With 500hp from a naturally aspirated 4.0-litre flat-six engine derived from the GT3, a top speed approaching 200mph, and a complete overhaul of everything from aerodynamics to weight-saving and suspension, the GT4 RS is a powerhouse of performance. Its legendary reputation, rarity, and the fact that Porsche doesn’t just sell it to anyone, makes the GT4 RS the slowest depreciating car on the market right now.


The GT4 RS has a starting price of £128,000, but due to high demand and anticipation, it was often selling for far more than list price for months after launch. According to data, after 3 years and 36,000 miles, the part-exchange value is nearly 70% of the original price, coming in at just under £90,000. However, try finding one for sale at that price and you’ll be disappointed. Even at this trade-in value, it remains the slowest depreciating car available. In fact, a quick search on Auto Trader reveals that even the earliest 2023 models—often with extensive options—are priced well above the entry-level cost, proving just how high the demand for this car is.

AMF-WHITE-LOGO-V1.png
NACFB-1.png
NACFB-2.png
Insights
Finance Products
About
Finance Calculator
Terms & Privacy
  • LinkedIn
  • Instagram
  • Facebook
  • X
  • Youtube
GOOGLE LOGO.png

Copyright © 2024 Approved Motor Finance is a trading style of Approved Business Finance Ltd. All rights reserved.

 

Approved Business Finance Ltd is an independent asset finance brokerage and not a lender, as such we can introduce you to a wide range of finance providers depending on your requirements and circumstances. We are not independent finance advisors and so are unable to provide you with independent finance advice. Approved Business Finance Ltd will receive payment(s) or other benefit from the finance provider if you decide to enter into an agreement with them. Approved Business Finance Ltd aims to provide our customers with the highest standards of service. If our service fails to meet your requirements, we will endeavor to find a resolution. 

 

Approved Business Finance Ltd is an Appointed Representative of AFS Compliance Ltd, which is Authorised and Regulated by the Financial Conduct Authority, firm number 625035. Approved Business Finance Ltd is a Franchisee of Asset Finance Solutions (UK) Ltd. Approved Business Finance Ltd is incorporated in England and Wales (company number: 11914104) with its registered office at Witan Studios, Witan Gate, Milton Keynes, MK9 1EJ

bottom of page