Free car depreciation calculator — see how your vehicle's value decreases over 1-10 years. Plan trade-in timing for maximum return.
Understanding depreciation helps you make smarter buying decisions. Some vehicles hold value dramatically better than others.
Depreciation is the single largest cost of car ownership — often more than fuel, insurance, and maintenance combined.
Knowing how your vehicle depreciates helps you make better purchase decisions, time your trade-ins optimally, and avoid being upside-down on your loan.
Key Features & Benefits
- Year-by-Year Projection — See your vehicle's projected value for each year of ownership from 1-10 years — based on average depreciation curves.
- First-Year Drop — New cars lose 20-30% of value in the first year. See the exact dollar impact for your vehicle.
- Optimal Trade-In Timing — Find the sweet spot between depreciation and reliability to maximize your trade-in value.
- Category Comparison — See how depreciation rates differ between sedans, SUVs, trucks, luxury cars, and EVs.
Frequently Asked Questions
How fast do cars depreciate?
On average, a new car loses 20-30% of its value in the first year, about 15% per year for years 2-3, and 10% per year after that. After 5 years, most cars are worth 35-45% of their original MSRP.
Which cars hold their value best?
Trucks (Toyota Tacoma, Ford F-150), SUVs (Toyota 4Runner, Jeep Wrangler), and select brands like Porsche and Lexus consistently hold value best. Luxury sedans and EVs tend to depreciate fastest.
When is the best time to trade in my car?
The sweet spot is typically 3-4 years of ownership. You've passed the steepest depreciation curve, the car is still under or near warranty, and it has enough remaining value to make a meaningful trade-in. After 7+ years, trade-in values flatten significantly.
Do electric vehicles depreciate faster than gas cars?
Currently, most EVs depreciate faster than comparable gas vehicles — losing 50-60% of value in the first 3 years. However, high-demand EVs like Tesla Model 3/Y are exceptions with competitive retention. As EV adoption grows and battery technology improves, depreciation rates are expected to normalize.
How does mileage affect depreciation?
Higher-than-average mileage accelerates depreciation. The average is about 12,000 miles/year. Vehicles with 20,000+ miles/year lose 10-15% more value than average-mileage vehicles. Low-mileage vehicles under 8,000/year retain 5-10% more value — a significant advantage at trade-in time.