Quick answer
According to WHEELSTREET data, Toyota, Porsche, and Lexus hold their value best in Lithuania, retaining 55-70% after 3 years. The average car loses 15-20% in the first year and 45-55% over 5 years — but choosing the right model, colour (black/white), and fuel type (hybrid) can save you €3,000-8,000 in depreciation.
A car is not an investment — but some models retain their value far better than others. Choosing wisely can save you thousands when it's time to sell.
TOP 10 Best Residual Values
After 3 Years (Average)
| Model | New price | After 3 years | Retains |
|---|---|---|---|
| Porsche 911 | 120,000 € | 100,000 € | 83% |
| Toyota Land Cruiser | 80,000 € | 64,000 € | 80% |
| Jeep Wrangler | 55,000 € | 43,000 € | 78% |
| Toyota Tacoma | 45,000 € | 35,000 € | 77% |
| Toyota RAV4 Hybrid | 45,000 € | 34,000 € | 75% |
| Subaru Outback | 42,000 € | 31,000 € | 74% |
| Honda CR-V | 40,000 € | 29,000 € | 72% |
| Mazda CX-5 | 38,000 € | 27,000 € | 71% |
| Toyota Corolla | 28,000 € | 20,000 € | 71% |
| Lexus RX | 65,000 € | 45,000 € | 69% |
Which Brands Hold Value Best?
Brands
- Toyota/Lexus — reliability reputation drives strong demand
- Porsche — prestige + build quality
- Honda — consistent popularity
- Subaru — niche appeal but loyal following
- Mazda — growing reputation for quality
Body Type
| Type | Residual value |
|---|---|
| SUV/Crossover | ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ |
| Pickup trucks | ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ |
| Sports cars | ⭐⭐⭐⭐ |
| Estates | ⭐⭐⭐ |
| Saloons | ⭐⭐⭐ |
| People carriers (MPV) | ⭐⭐ |
Fuel Type (2026 Outlook)
| Type | Depreciation outlook |
|---|---|
| Hybrid (HEV/PHEV) | ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ (strong demand) |
| Petrol | ⭐⭐⭐⭐ |
| Electric | ⭐⭐⭐ (still uncertain — rapid tech change) |
| Diesel | ⭐⭐ (depreciating faster due to city bans) |
Worst Residual Values
| Model | Retained after 3 years |
|---|---|
| BMW 7 Series | 45% |
| Mercedes S-Class | 47% |
| Audi A8 | 48% |
| Jaguar XF | 40% |
| Maserati | 35–45% |
Conclusion: Large luxury saloons depreciate fastest. You can buy one as a used car at a massive discount — but you'll take the same hit when you sell.
Why Does Diesel Depreciate Faster?
Low emission zones (LEZ) across European cities are restricting or banning older diesel vehicles. This is already affecting used diesel prices:
- Euro 4 and older diesels already restricted in Paris, Berlin, London
- Euro 5 diesel facing restrictions by 2027–2030 in multiple cities
- Buyers are wary of future restrictions → lower demand → faster depreciation
Practical implication: A Euro 6d diesel (2019+) is still fine for now, but the direction of travel is clear. For long-term value retention, hybrids and petrol are safer choices.
More on this: Diesel bans in Europe 2026
How to Preserve Your Car's Value
- Keep mileage reasonable — every kilometre reduces value
- Full service history — a complete stamped service book adds value visibly
- Popular colour — white, black, silver and grey are the safest choices; unusual colours limit your buyer pool
- Standard specification — heavily customised cars are harder to sell; buyers often won't pay for options they didn't choose
- Condition — no dings, scuffs, stains; clean interior and exterior when selling
- Keep all documentation — V5/registration, receipts, MOT certificates, handbook
FAQ
Which car holds its value best?
Consistently: Toyota Land Cruiser, Toyota RAV4 Hybrid, Porsche 911, and Subaru Outback. Among accessible models, Toyota and Honda broadly retain value better than European or Korean equivalents.
Do electric cars hold their value?
Currently, EV depreciation is mixed. Some Tesla models hold value well; others (especially older, shorter-range EVs) depreciate sharply as buyers seek longer range. The landscape is changing rapidly — this is worth monitoring when buying new.
Why do luxury cars depreciate so fast?
High initial prices + maintenance costs + fashion risk. A 120,000 € BMW 7 becomes 55,000 € after 3 years because the buyer pool for expensive-to-run large saloons is much smaller than for practical family cars.
How much does colour affect resale value?
Significantly. White, black and silver/grey account for the majority of buyers' preferences. Red or blue cars sell more slowly; unusual or custom colours (orange, matte wraps, yellow) can subtract 1,000–3,000 € from the achievable price.
Conclusions
Key rules for value retention:
- Toyota, Lexus, Honda, Mazda — best residuals among mainstream brands
- SUVs and hybrids — best residuals by type
- Diesel — depreciating faster; consider carefully for any car you plan to keep 5+ years
- Premium saloons — impressive to drive, but terrible investments
Practical recommendation: If resale value matters, buy a mainstream Japanese brand SUV or hybrid in a neutral colour with a full service history. You'll sell it in 3–5 years with far less value lost than a European premium equivalent.
Want a car that will hold its value? Contact WHEELSTREET — we'll help you choose a smart, well-valued option.
You might also find useful:
- 🏆 Toyota vs Volkswagen — which holds value better? — brand comparison
- 🚗 Used cars at WHEELSTREET — well-maintained, value-retaining models
- 🔍 Car sourcing service — experts will help you invest wisely
- ⚡ Hybrids vs EVs — which to choose?
WHEELSTREET ☎ +370 610 33377 | wheelstreet.lt
