Cars often shed about 60% of their original purchase price within the first five years. When the time comes to sell your car, you may find that depreciation has greatly reduced the expected trade-in value for what could still be a well-functioning automobile.
After two years, your car's value decreases to 69% of the initial value. After three years, your car's value decreases to 58% of the initial value. After four years, your car's value decreases to 49% of the initial value. After five years, your car's value decreases to 40% of the initial value.
How much will my car depreciate? According to iSeeCars, in 2023 the average car lost 38.8% of its value over five years. However, different cars depreciate at different rates, with SUVs and trucks generally holding their value longer than other types of vehicles.
How is car depreciation calculated? While it varies by a vehicle's make and model, depreciation is calculated by taking the initial value of a vehicle and applying the average percentage decrease to it each year you plan to own it.
The residual value of cars is often expressed as a percentage of the manufacturer's suggested retail price (MSRP). For example, residual may be expressed this way: $30,000 MSRP * Residual Value of 50% = $15,000 value after 3 years.
How long should you keep a car? A typical car is expected to last 200,000 miles or more, with electric or hybrid vehicles going up to 300,000 miles. If you drive the average number of miles for an American, a typical car should last you about 14 years and an electric car will last about 21 years.
Vehicles depreciate due to many factors. Some cars hold their value better, such as pickup trucks, SUVs, and sports cars. Electric vehicles and luxury sedans are reported to lose their value faster.
There's no pre-determined rate at which a vehicle will depreciate. Within the first year, many cars will lose up to 20% of their value. After that, they may lose about 15% more per year until the four-or five-year mark.
Reliability of Established Models: Many well-known car models are designed to last well beyond a decade. If the vehicle has been consistently maintained and has a reputation for reliability, a 10-year-old car can still offer dependable transportation.
In general, the average mileage on a car is assumed to be between 12,000 and 15,000 miles per year, according to AARP. That means you can expect a 5-year-old car to have between 60,000 and 70,000 miles on the odometer.
Price Drop in Used Cars Per Mile
For the first three thousand miles or so, cars usually drop about $5,000-$10,000, so it averages out to around $1.50 to $3 per mile. After that, the price drop is lower, and can go from around $. 25 to $. 5 per mile.
Most vehicles depreciate over time, but there are some cars that increase and appreciate in value.
Car depreciation rates usually slow down after a vehicle's odometer hits 100,000 miles. Of course, there are exceptions. Very popular and desirable car models receive higher trade-in deals regardless of age, mileage, and condition.
Investopedia explains that the actual cash value (ACV) is the resale price of your vehicle before it was involved in a major accident. The insurance company will search recent sales in your area of vehicles similar to yours and compare them to current listings to find your car's ACV.
Several factors can affect the resale value of your car. These include mileage, age, condition, location, color, make and model. You can retain your car's value by regularly maintaining it and avoiding modifications that could decrease its appeal to buyers.
At the top of the list, the Maserati Quattroporte loses nearly two-thirds of its value after five years. First introduced in 1963, the car is Maserati's flagship, and is on its sixth iteration as a four-door luxury sedan, with a high performance Ferrari–made V6 or V8 engine.
Vehicles 2-3 years old have newer safety features and fewer age-related repairs but have higher prices. Used cars 5-7 years old typically have lower prices while still having modern features that impact your daily driving experience. They might need repairs every couple of years.
A conventional car can last for 200,000 miles. Some well-maintained car models will reach 300,000 or more miles total. The average passenger car age is currently around 12 years in the United States. Choosing a well-built make and model can help extend your car's longevity.
At a certain point, repair costs may outweigh what the car is worth. Safety and Reliability – Modern cars have vastly improved safety features and computerized systems. A newer car may provide safety like airbags, antilock brakes, and stability control that a 20-year-old car lacks.
The table below shows the present value (PV) of $5,000 in 20 years for interest rates from 2% to 30%. As you will see, the future value of $5,000 over 20 years can range from $7,429.74 to $950,248.19.
The money can add up: If you kept the funds in a retirement account for over 30 years and earned that 6% average return, for example, your $10,000 would grow to more than $57,000.