Car Depreciation: Real Curves by Model
New cars lose roughly 20% of their value in the first year and 40–50% over five years — on average. The average hides everything useful: some models hold value dramatically better than others. Check your model's real curve below — median used-market prices by model year from live listing data — or get a quick estimate with the depreciation calculator.
Car depreciation calculator
Estimate a vehicle's future value using an industry-average curve.
Estimated value after 5 years:
$20,300 – $24,800
roughly 50% below the $45,000 purchase price
Industry-average estimate (~20% first-year drop, ~11%/year after) — actual curves vary widely by model. The model pages below show real used-market medians by model year.
Real depreciation curves by model
Live used-market medians by model year — not projections.
Depreciation is the price you don't see on the sticker
The cheapest car to own is rarely the cheapest to buy. Search live inventory and compare what vehicles actually sell for — new and used — before the curve starts working against you.
Search live inventoryFrequently asked questions
How much do cars depreciate per year?
On average, a new car loses roughly 20% of its value in the first year and about 10–12% of its remaining value each year after — around 40–50% over five years. But the spread across models is enormous: strong-resale trucks and SUVs can hold value far better, while luxury sedans and many EVs fall much faster. That's why the per-model curves below use real listing data instead of one average.
How is depreciation measured on this site?
The model pages use the cross-sectional method: the median advertised price of each model year on the used market today, from live listing data. It answers the practical question — what does a 3-year-old example actually sell for right now — rather than projecting hypothetical futures.
What depreciates the least?
Historically: body-on-frame trucks and off-road SUVs (strong enthusiast demand, long service life) hold value best, while large luxury sedans and vehicles with fast product cycles fall hardest. Check the individual model pages for current, data-backed curves rather than folklore.
Should I buy a 2–3 year old car to skip the depreciation hit?
Often, yes — the steepest loss usually happens in the first two years, so the original owner pays it. But on flat-curve models the used discount is small enough that a new car (with full warranty and current incentives) can be the better total deal. Compare the model's real curve against new-car offers before assuming used wins.