Calculator
Depreciation Calculator
Depreciation is the largest cost of owning an expensive car and the only one you never receive a bill for. Here is what it looks like year by year.
Starting point
Depreciation is measured from what you actually paid, not from sticker.
Retention differs sharply by class. Supercars hold value; large luxury sedans and EVs do not.
Value curve
Modeled resale value at each year end.
Value lost in 5 years
$45,600
38% of the purchase price
$760 per month in value change
62% retained
15% in twelve months
$18,000 lost
Year by year
| Year | Value | Annual change | Total change | Retained |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | $102,000 | −$18,000 | −$18,000 | 85% |
| Year 2 | $92,400 | −$9,600 | −$27,600 | 77% |
| Year 3 | $85,200 | −$7,200 | −$34,800 | 71% |
| Year 4 | $79,200 | −$6,000 | −$40,800 | 66% |
| Year 5 | $74,400 | −$4,800 | −$45,600 | 62% |
Three-year retention, ranked
The share of the original price still standing after three years, across every model on this site.
Holds value best
Loses value fastest
- 1Lucid Air Sapphire38%
- 2BMW i743%
- 3Audi RS e-tron GT46%
- 4Tesla Model S Plaid47%
- 5BMW XM47%
- 6Porsche Taycan47%
What drives the curve
Production volume
The dominant factor. A car built in the hundreds behaves like a scarce asset; a car built in the tens of thousands behaves like a used car. This is why the Urus depreciates faster than the Huracan despite the same badge.
End of an era
Discontinuation of a beloved powertrain resets demand. The last naturally aspirated V10s and V12s stopped depreciating on schedule once buyers realized nothing would replace them.
Technology aging
Cars sold on their technology date fastest. Infotainment, driver assistance, and battery systems all make last year's flagship feel obsolete, which is why large luxury sedans and EVs lead every depreciation table.
Repair cost anxiety
Used buyers price in what they fear a major failure will cost. Brands with expensive or unpredictable out-of-warranty repairs carry a permanent discount, regardless of how good the car is to drive.
Frequently asked questions
- How much does a luxury car depreciate in the first year?
- Most luxury cars lose 20% to 30% of their value in the first twelve months. The spread is wide: a full-size electric luxury sedan can shed over 35%, while an allocation-limited supercar may lose under 10% or even appreciate. The single biggest predictor is how many the manufacturer built relative to how many people want one.
- Which luxury cars hold their value best?
- Supply-constrained models with strong brand demand. The Mercedes G63, limited-run Porsche GT cars, and mid-engine Ferraris consistently lead the segment, with some retaining over 80% after three years. Cars that were discontinued while still desirable, such as the V10 Audi R8, often see their curves flatten or reverse entirely.
- Why do luxury EVs depreciate so quickly?
- Three forces compound. Battery and charging technology improves fast enough that each model year is meaningfully better than the last, which devalues older cars. Manufacturers cut new-car prices directly, and used values follow immediately. And used buyers discount for uncertainty about long-term battery health and replacement cost.
- Does mileage matter more than age on an exotic?
- Yes, far more than on an ordinary car. Exotic buyers pay a substantial premium for low-mileage examples, and the penalty for high mileage is steeper than the depreciation curve alone suggests. A five-year-old supercar with 5,000 miles and one with 40,000 miles are effectively different products to the market.
- Do options and specification affect resale value?
- They affect it, but they almost never pay for themselves. As a rule, expect to recover roughly 25 to 40 cents on the dollar for factory options. The exceptions are the specific configurations the used market prizes — a manual gearbox where one was rare, a desirable factory color, or a performance package that changes the car's character.
Keep going
Depreciation drives the residual, which drives the lease payment.