Predicted UK depreciation

[Red & White Cooper 2]

Obviously, with the Mini being on sale for less than a year, depreciation can only be a prediction. Nevertheless, depreciation is (or should be) a major consideration when buying a new car. This week's Autocar includes the percentage of list price retained after 3 years/30,000 miles (source: What Car? Used Price Guide)

Figures are as follows

Mini One 63% (£6 490) a loss of £3 810
Mini Cooper 65% (£7 540) a loss of £4 060
Mini Cooper S 67% (£9 715) a loss of £4 785

These figures are excellent in comparison to other cars e.g.

VW Lupo GTI 54% (£7 010) a loss of £5 970
Peugeot 206GTI 44% (£6 020) a loss of £9 030
Honda Civic Type R 55% (8 795) a loss of £7 200

Of course, few of us have paid list price for our Minis (an average of £2 000 in extras) and it's not clear if these have already been "factored in" or whether the retained values are based on a (mythical?) basic model with no extras.

The figures also make convincing reading for anyone trying to justify buying a Cooper over a One, or an S over a Cooper (shame about the insurance though!)

[ScottyHP]

Thats interesting and I agree very pleasing, although the depreciation of the other cars is not too much of a suprise I would say in general pugs etc tend to depreciate rapidly regardless of model, (however when the 206 first came out all models tended to keep a highish resale value and the sportier models are still quite good)
This should be pleasent reading for MINI owners and potential buyers of new cars. The figures are allways normally based on standard versions, not telling you to suck eggs but if you add the depreciation amount to the figure after 3yrs it comes to £11600 for the Cooper for example.
I need to start picking Autocar up more often on my way to work to keep up with things, or I could just ask you!!!!

[Varse]

Blimey, What Car has been going with about 50% previously, 65% for a Cooper is mad...but good. I though 57% ish for an Audi A3 was good.

We have made a sound choice it looks like, with heart and wallet!!

Hang on, I've got Auto Express here and they are still saying 50%!! Are you sure?

[M]

Nice figures but I wouldn't give them too much credence just yet, I'm amazed they can try and predict three years into the future on a new car with no history. Knowing the trade the only thing I would say is think of a figure divide by two and take off a big chunk for good measure and you might get close to the sort of money traders will try and buy your car for. Their prices never relate to the values in the motoring press.

[ScottyHP]

Yes, I think your probably right M, but even after this short period of time it is evident the MINI is showing very small signs of depreciation, As with other cars like the 206 for example depreciate much more rapidly even from launch when demand was at its highest. As with all magazine articles of this nature they need to be taken with a pinch of salt as the new car industry is and always will be the quickest way for an owner to loose money, but in the MINI things look a lot more promising, Lets hope for minimal depreciation in the future.

[Damo]

Maybe it so high as owners WON'T want to sell there Mini's, and the ones that DO want to get rid of their mini's are rejecting them anyway So the one's being sold MUST be fault free, so hike's up the price ;p