Some new cars on sale in the UK could plummet to less than a quarter of their current value by 2007, according to consumer magazine Which?.

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The magazine said that, with used car prices in the UK still falling, buyers should consider how much depreciation costs them in hard cash and has published a list which predicts which cars will depreciate most – and least.


Bottom of the luxury car table is the Alfa Romeo 166 2.0 Twin Spark Lusso, which costs £24,400 new. By 2007, this car could lose 77% of its value, or whopping £18,630.


On the other hand, those who fork out £28,340 for a top line Mercedes-Benz E Class 200 Elegance, might lose 54% of its value, or £15,140, £3,490 less than the Alfa.


Even the best performing superminis will lose well over £1,000 per year, averaged over the first three years. The Suzuki Ignis 1.5 4GRIP costs £8,995 new, considerably cheaper than the Mini Cooper 1.6 at £12,100. But the Suzuki is predicted to lose 74% or £6,510 in three years, £485 more than the loss on the Mini (which might lose 50% or £6,025).

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The VW Beetle 1.6 costs £12,345. But, if it were sold in three years’ time, it should lose less money (£6,640 or 54%) than many of the lower-priced medium range models, such as the Hyundai Accent 1.3CDX (which could lose £7,660, or 74%) or the Citroen Xsara 1.4i Desire (which might lose £8,440, or 72%).


Which? also rated luxury cars, MPVs, sports and coupe cars, and off-roaders.


Editor Malcolm Coles said: “It can be worth paying up front for a more desirable car that holds its value well. Buying a cheaper car that depreciates rapidly is a false economy.”