| Depreciation is the amount of money lost on the | | | | Buyers have so much choice; competitive prices are |
| purchase price of a car over a period of time. It is | | | | the only way sellers can shift them on. |
| unavoidable on all but the most desirable or exclusive | | | | - Large mainstream cars without the prestigious |
| cars and can seriously hurt your wallet. | | | | badges. They're expensive when new but not sought |
| This article will help you minimise the effect of car | | | | after second-hand. |
| value depreciation and also go as far as to show you | | | | - Big-engine cars, especially as fuel prices are rising |
| how to take advantage of it. | | | | year upon year |
| Avoiding Depreciation | | | | - Boring colours (most non-metallics) can be far |
| There are certain measures you can take to avoid | | | | cheaper than the popular ones. |
| depreciation, you should choose cars with: | | | | - The wrong specification such as executive cars |
| - Strong images. 'Prestige' brands are always in | | | | with cloth seats, or no air-conditioning |
| greater demand, and always command a healthy | | | | My Top Tip |
| premium over more mainstream manufacturers. | | | | Buying nearly new cars has traditionally been the |
| Although you'll pay more in the first place, you will | | | | safest way to save cash. New cars can lose |
| generally loose less in the long run. | | | | thousands just by driving them out of the |
| - Diesels. It is expected that these will command | | | | showroom, but one-year-old cars are often free of |
| increasingly large premiums over less-efficient petrol | | | | the biggest losses incurred by new cars. |
| models in the future | | | | Franchised dealers often have the pick of year-old |
| - Low list prices. Even if a car is renowned for stiff | | | | cars, thanks to the many schemes operated by |
| depreciation, a low initial price will naturally mean you | | | | manufacturers. Such cars will have a full service |
| lose less come trade-in time. Also, cheaper models | | | | history, be fully guaranteed and often sport low |
| are often the most popular in a range, so will naturally | | | | mileages. |
| depreciate less, anywayExploiting Depreciation | | | | You may not benefit from a brand-new registration |
| If you're a used car buyer you can make | | | | plate, but the guarantees are far stronger than with |
| depreciation work for you. The following models are | | | | imported cars. What's more, you could drive away on |
| ideal candidates for depreciation exploitation: | | | | the same day, but crucially be able to see, feel and |
| - Best-selling fleet cars often lose more than rarer | | | | drive the car before you part with cash. |
| models, simply due to sheer numbers on the market. | | | | |