Convertible cars are the slowest depreciating models in the UK market, new research has revealed.
EurotaxGlass’s, Europe's leading supplier of automotive business intelligence, has shown that six of the ten models that retain the most value are soft tops, with the Mini Hatchback (rated as the best performing used car) leading the way - retaining 71 per cent of its original price after three years.
In second place was The Mercedes SLK200 Kompressor Convertible, with 69.5 per cent, followed by the Volkswagen Golf 3.2 R32 at 65.5 per cent.
Making up the top 5 were Nissan’s 350Z 3.5 Coupe and the Porsche Carrera 2/4 (997) Coupe and Cabriolet models.
EurotaxGlass’s said used cars were less likely to depreciate in value if they were: convertibles, lower-medium sized models, powered by a diesel or small-sized engine or produced by a prestige carmaker.
The residual values of convertibles consistently outperformed those of the more practical saloons and hatchbacks, the analysts added.
The Citroen C5 3.0 V6 was named as the worst used car purchase, retaining just 17.5 per cent of its value after three years, while the Proton Wira and Hyundai Elantra followed in second and third place, retaining 18.5 and 19 per cent respectively.
