What is a good annual depreciation rate for a used car?

Many value holding models depreciate about 5 to 10 percent per year after the first few years, depending on segment, mileage, demand, and condition.

Which types of vehicles usually hold value best?

Trucks, small and midsize SUVs, and reliable compact and midsize cars often retain value well due to strong demand and practical appeal.

How do mileage and service records affect resale value?

Lower mileage for age and thorough, documented maintenance typically improve buyer confidence and support higher resale value.

Do safety ratings and features influence depreciation?

Yes. Strong crash test ratings and desirable driver assistance features broaden buyer appeal and can slow depreciation.

How can I estimate future resale before I buy?

Review historical resale trends for the model, compare owner costs, and evaluate regional demand. Use valuation tools and market trend resources to plan ahead.

Best Used Cars With Low Depreciation: Keep More Value Over Time

If you want a used car that holds its value, this guide to the best used cars with low depreciation is for you. Depreciation is the quiet cost that can make two similar vehicles very different in total ownership cost. By focusing on models with strong resale value, you can protect your budget and make a smarter long term choice. Below you will find expert tips on what affects depreciation, which segments and brands tend to hold value, and how model year, mileage, features, and condition play a role. You can explore related resources like used car depreciation insights, resale value rankings, and ownership cost analysis as you compare options. When you are ready to browse vehicles, the used inventory and research pages on our site make it easy to take the next step with confidence.

Depreciation is not one size fits all. Certain compact cars, midsize SUVs, and full size trucks historically lose value more slowly, especially when paired with proven reliability and lower operating costs. Use our research tools, market trend articles, and model specific guides to narrow your shortlist. You can also compare long term value, owner ratings, and maintenance expectations to choose a vehicle that fits your budget, commute, and plans for future resale.

What Low Depreciation Really Means

Depreciation is the steady drop in a vehicles market value over time. The pace of that drop depends on demand, reliability, reputation, supply, incentives, fuel economy, feature desirability, and ownership cost. Low depreciation models lose value more slowly than average, which can save thousands over the years you own the vehicle and then sell or trade it.

To dig deeper into the numbers and how markets shift, see our research guides at used-car-depreciation-guide, used-car-depreciation-by-brand, and used-car-ownership-cost-analysis. You can also compare what shoppers are looking for on pages like most-popular-used-cars-in-america and see which models tend to rebound the fastest in used-cars-with-best-resale-value.

Key Factors That Help Vehicles Hold Value

Brand reliability history and owner satisfaction. Explore most-reliable-used-cars, used-cars-with-highest-owner-satisfaction, and brand spotlights like most-reliable-used-toyota-models and most-reliable-used-honda-models.
Lower operating costs including fuel, maintenance, and insurance. Compare used-cars-with-high-mpg, used-cars-with-lowest-maintenance-costs, and used-cars-with-low-insurance-costs.
Safety and durability. See used-cars-with-best-safety-ratings, safest-used-cars, and used-cars-known-for-durability.
Balanced miles and service history. Look for verifiable maintenance and appropriate mileage for age. Use our used-car-inspection-checklist and used-car-vin-check-guide.
Right options and trims that buyers want, like advanced safety tech or all wheel drive in cold climates.

Vehicle Segments Known For Low Depreciation

While every model is different, certain categories tend to keep value better due to sustained demand and strong brand reputations.

Compact and Midsize Cars

Efficient, reliable sedans often retain value because they are affordable to own and easy to sell later. Start with research on best-used-compact-cars, best-used-sedans, and commuter focused picks at best-used-commuter-cars. If budget is a priority, see most-reliable-used-cars-under-15000 and best-used-cars-under-10000.

Small and Midsize SUVs

Family friendly SUVs with strong safety scores and utility remain popular, supporting resale value. Explore best-used-suvs, best-used-midsize-suvs, and best-used-crossover-suvs. If you need more seats, see best-used-3-row-suvs and options for winter driving such as best-used-awd-vehicles and best-used-vehicles-for-winter-driving.

Full Size SUVs and Trucks

Full size SUVs and half ton trucks remain in high demand due to towing, payload, and versatility. That demand translates into slower depreciation compared with many other segments. Check best-used-full-size-suvs, best-used-trucks, and purpose focused lists like best-used-vehicles-for-towing and best-used-trucks-for-work. For budget ranges, see best-used-trucks-under-20000.

Hybrids and Electric Vehicles

Fuel saving technology and growing buyer interest can support value retention for select hybrid and EV models. Battery warranty length, charging demand in your area, and tax credit history all influence resale. Compare options at best-used-hybrid-cars, best-used-electric-vehicles, and budget friendly picks like best-used-hybrid-cars-under-20000 and best-used-electric-cars-under-25000.

Luxury Vehicles

Luxury cars can depreciate quickly from new, but certain well equipped certified like models can stabilize at the right age and mileage. Focus on strong brand reliability, extended coverage, and features that used buyers seek. See best-used-luxury-cars and best-used-luxury-suvs, plus value focused options at best-used-luxury-cars-under-30000.

Model Year and Mileage Sweet Spots

Depreciation is steepest in the first years, then levels out. Many shoppers find the best balance between price and future resale on vehicles that are three to six years old with average mileage for age. Certified pre owned coverage can help, but certification is not required for strong value if maintenance is documented. Learn more at certified-pre-owned-vs-used and browse historical favorites at top-used-cars-by-year.

Features and Trims That Support Resale

Advanced driver assistance like adaptive cruise and blind spot monitoring.
All wheel drive in regions with snow. See best-used-cars-for-winter-states and best-used-cars-for-snow.
Popular interior packages, heated seats, and smartphone integration.
Towing packages on trucks and SUVs. Explore best-used-vehicles-for-towing-boats and best-used-vehicles-for-hauling.

Ownership Costs That Influence Depreciation

Total cost of ownership affects demand and resale. Buyers look for predictable spending on fuel, maintenance, insurance, and repairs. Vehicles that are inexpensive to service and have accessible parts supply often hold value better because more shoppers want them. Compare categories at used-cars-with-lowest-cost-of-ownership, and review maintenance expectations at best-used-cars-with-low-maintenance-costs. If you plan to keep a car for many years, look into models known for longevity at used-cars-with-longest-lifespan and used-cars-that-last-over-200000-miles.

How To Shop For Low Depreciation Used Cars

Start with a focused shortlist by segment and budget. Use used-inventory, then compare performance on used-cars-with-best-resale-value and used-cars-with-low-mileage-value.
Review history reports and service documentation. Use how-to-check-used-car-history and used-car-vin-check-guide.
Inspect condition carefully with help from our used-car-inspection-checklist and what-to-look-for-when-buying-a-used-car.
Use pricing research to avoid overpaying. See how-to-value-a-used-car, used-car-wholesale-vs-retail-pricing, and how-dealers-price-used-cars.

Planning For Future Resale

If you already know that you will resell in a few years, choose colors, features, and trims that appeal to the widest group of buyers in your region. Keep records for every service appointment and any accessories added. Maintain the vehicle on schedule and avoid modifications that reduce appeal to mainstream shoppers. When it is time to sell or trade, review current market conditions at used-car-market-trends and pricing at used-car-price-trends. Estimating your current position is easier with our value-my-trade resource and model popularity insights at top-selling-used-cars and most-searched-used-cars.

Budget Focused Picks That Often Hold Value

Budget shoppers can still find low depreciation vehicles. Reliability first compacts and crossovers, popular midsize sedans with strong safety ratings, and base trim trucks with towing packages often keep demand high. Explore hand picked lists by price such as best-used-cars-under-8000, best-used-cars-under-15000, best-used-cars-under-20000, best-used-suvs-under-15000, and family friendly choices at best-used-family-cars-under-20000.

Financing and Protection For Long Term Value

Lower interest and the right coverage can help preserve equity. Compare guidance at how-does-used-car-financing-work, used-car-loan-interest-rates, and options for different credit situations at can-you-finance-a-used-car-with-bad-credit. To reduce risk of unexpected costs that can affect resale, review our used-car-warranty-guide, extended-warranty-for-used-cars, and used-car-gap-insurance-explained.

Who Benefits Most From Low Depreciation Cars

Commuters who plan to upgrade in a few years. See best-used-cars-for-commuters and best-used-cars-for-long-commutes.
Families balancing safety, space, and value. Explore best-used-family-cars and safest-used-suvs.
Small businesses and contractors who rely on predictable resale. Visit best-used-cars-for-small-business-owners and best-used-cars-for-contractors.
First time buyers and students who want to protect equity. See best-used-vehicles-for-first-time-buyers, best-used-cars-for-college-students, and best-used-cars-for-teens.

Helpful Links

Frequently Asked Questions About Low Depreciation Used Cars

Many solid value holders depreciate about 5 to 10 percent per year after the early years. Actual results vary by segment, mileage, and condition. Review segment specifics at used-car-depreciation-guide.

Popular trucks, small and midsize SUVs, and reliable compact and midsize cars often hold value well. Explore category leaders at best-used-trucks and best-used-suvs.

Lower mileage for age and documented maintenance typically increase buyer confidence and resale value. Use our used-car-inspection-checklist and used-car-vin-check-guide to verify condition and history.

Yes. Strong crash test scores and desirable features like advanced driver assistance systems broaden buyer appeal and help slow depreciation. Compare options at used-cars-with-best-crash-test-ratings.

Review historical trends for the same model, compare owner costs, and evaluate regional demand. Use resources like used-cars-with-best-resale-value, used-car-price-trends, and value-my-trade to plan ahead.

Next Steps In Your Research

Continue your low depreciation search by comparing shortlists for your budget and lifestyle. For deep dives by body style, visit best-used-suvs, best-used-sedans, best-used-trucks, and best-used-minivans. For special use cases, see best-used-cars-for-road-trips, best-used-vehicles-for-outdoor-adventures, and best-used-cars-with-third-row-seating. When you are ready to review availability, our used-inventory and sold-inventory pages show recent examples that fit the criteria described here.