{"id":15350,"date":"2023-12-22T11:48:34","date_gmt":"2023-12-22T01:48:34","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.privatefleet.com.au\/blog\/?p=15350"},"modified":"2024-01-08T13:11:56","modified_gmt":"2024-01-08T03:11:56","slug":"understanding-car-depreciation-how-to-maintain-the-value-of-your-car","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.privatefleet.com.au\/blog\/new-cars\/understanding-car-depreciation-how-to-maintain-the-value-of-your-car\/","title":{"rendered":"Understanding Car Depreciation: How to Maintain the Value of Your Car"},"content":{"rendered":"<p><img decoding=\"async\" class=\"aligncenter wp-image-15352 size-full\" src=\"https:\/\/www.privatefleet.com.au\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/12\/Blog-2-Image-1-Understanding-Car-Depreciation.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"1000\" height=\"667\" \/><\/p>\n<p><span data-contrast=\"auto\">Buying a new car is an exciting time. It\u2019s fun to wander up and down a dealership looking at all the new cars to find the perfect one.<\/span><span data-ccp-props=\"{&quot;201341983&quot;:0,&quot;335559739&quot;:160,&quot;335559740&quot;:259}\">\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span data-contrast=\"auto\">Of course, when buying a new car, there are several cost factors to consider, such as:\u00a0<\/span><span data-ccp-props=\"{&quot;201341983&quot;:0,&quot;335559739&quot;:160,&quot;335559740&quot;:259}\">\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<ul>\n<li data-leveltext=\"\uf0b7\" data-font=\"Symbol\" data-listid=\"37\" data-list-defn-props=\"{&quot;335552541&quot;:1,&quot;335559684&quot;:-2,&quot;335559685&quot;:720,&quot;335559991&quot;:360,&quot;469769226&quot;:&quot;Symbol&quot;,&quot;469769242&quot;:[8226],&quot;469777803&quot;:&quot;left&quot;,&quot;469777804&quot;:&quot;\uf0b7&quot;,&quot;469777815&quot;:&quot;hybridMultilevel&quot;}\" aria-setsize=\"-1\" data-aria-posinset=\"1\" data-aria-level=\"1\"><span data-contrast=\"auto\">on-road costs<\/span><span data-ccp-props=\"{&quot;201341983&quot;:0,&quot;335559739&quot;:160,&quot;335559740&quot;:259}\">\u00a0<\/span><\/li>\n<li data-leveltext=\"\uf0b7\" data-font=\"Symbol\" data-listid=\"37\" data-list-defn-props=\"{&quot;335552541&quot;:1,&quot;335559684&quot;:-2,&quot;335559685&quot;:720,&quot;335559991&quot;:360,&quot;469769226&quot;:&quot;Symbol&quot;,&quot;469769242&quot;:[8226],&quot;469777803&quot;:&quot;left&quot;,&quot;469777804&quot;:&quot;\uf0b7&quot;,&quot;469777815&quot;:&quot;hybridMultilevel&quot;}\" aria-setsize=\"-1\" data-aria-posinset=\"2\" data-aria-level=\"1\"><span data-contrast=\"auto\">fuel economy, as well as\u00a0<\/span><span data-ccp-props=\"{&quot;201341983&quot;:0,&quot;335559739&quot;:160,&quot;335559740&quot;:259}\">\u00a0<\/span><\/li>\n<li data-leveltext=\"\uf0b7\" data-font=\"Symbol\" data-listid=\"37\" data-list-defn-props=\"{&quot;335552541&quot;:1,&quot;335559684&quot;:-2,&quot;335559685&quot;:720,&quot;335559991&quot;:360,&quot;469769226&quot;:&quot;Symbol&quot;,&quot;469769242&quot;:[8226],&quot;469777803&quot;:&quot;left&quot;,&quot;469777804&quot;:&quot;\uf0b7&quot;,&quot;469777815&quot;:&quot;hybridMultilevel&quot;}\" aria-setsize=\"-1\" data-aria-posinset=\"3\" data-aria-level=\"1\"><span data-contrast=\"auto\">servicing and insurance costs for the vehicle.<\/span><span data-ccp-props=\"{&quot;201341983&quot;:0,&quot;335559739&quot;:160,&quot;335559740&quot;:259}\">\u00a0<\/span><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<blockquote><p><strong><em><span class=\"TextRun SCXW236792881 BCX0\" lang=\"EN-AU\" xml:lang=\"EN-AU\" data-contrast=\"auto\"><span class=\"NormalTextRun SCXW236792881 BCX0\">What many people <\/span><span class=\"NormalTextRun SCXW236792881 BCX0\">don\u2019t<\/span><span class=\"NormalTextRun SCXW236792881 BCX0\"> consider, however, <\/span><\/span><span class=\"TextRun SCXW236792881 BCX0\" lang=\"EN-AU\" xml:lang=\"EN-AU\" data-contrast=\"auto\"><span class=\"NormalTextRun SCXW236792881 BCX0\">is <\/span><span class=\"NormalTextRun SCXW236792881 BCX0\">the cost of car depreciation.<\/span><\/span><\/em><\/strong><\/p><\/blockquote>\n<p><span data-contrast=\"auto\">In this article, we\u2019re going to take a deep dive into what car depreciation is, why it happens, how to calculate car depreciation and the steps you can take to help maintain the value of your car over time.<\/span><span data-ccp-props=\"{&quot;201341983&quot;:0,&quot;335559739&quot;:160,&quot;335559740&quot;:259}\">\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span data-contrast=\"auto\">If you\u2019re thinking of buying a new car soon, this article will help you to make a more informed buying decision.<\/span><span data-ccp-props=\"{&quot;201341983&quot;:0,&quot;335559739&quot;:160,&quot;335559740&quot;:259}\">\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<h2 style=\"text-align: left;\"><b><span data-contrast=\"auto\">What is car depreciation?<\/span><\/b><span data-ccp-props=\"{&quot;201341983&quot;:0,&quot;335559739&quot;:160,&quot;335559740&quot;:259}\">\u00a0<\/span><\/h2>\n<p><span data-contrast=\"auto\">Car depreciation refers to the amount of value that your car loses over time.<\/span><span data-ccp-props=\"{&quot;201341983&quot;:0,&quot;335559739&quot;:160,&quot;335559740&quot;:259}\">\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span data-contrast=\"auto\">Of course, while some cars can hold onto most of their value over their lifetime, others lose a significant amount in the first year alone.<\/span><span data-ccp-props=\"{&quot;201341983&quot;:0,&quot;335559739&quot;:160,&quot;335559740&quot;:259}\">\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span data-contrast=\"auto\">For this reason, it\u2019s important to understand the different factors that affect the rate at which a car depreciates.<\/span><span data-ccp-props=\"{&quot;201341983&quot;:0,&quot;335559739&quot;:160,&quot;335559740&quot;:259}\">\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<p><img decoding=\"async\" class=\"aligncenter wp-image-15351 size-full\" src=\"https:\/\/www.privatefleet.com.au\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/12\/Blog-2-Image-2-How-to-Maintain-the-Value-of-Your-Car.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"1000\" height=\"667\" \/><\/p>\n<h2 style=\"text-align: left;\"><b><span data-contrast=\"auto\">Why do cars depreciate in value over time?<\/span><\/b><span data-ccp-props=\"{&quot;201341983&quot;:0,&quot;335559739&quot;:160,&quot;335559740&quot;:259}\">\u00a0<\/span><\/h2>\n<p><span data-contrast=\"auto\">Here are some of the most common reasons why cars depreciate in value over time:<\/span><span data-ccp-props=\"{&quot;201341983&quot;:0,&quot;335559739&quot;:160,&quot;335559740&quot;:259}\">\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<h3><b><span data-contrast=\"auto\">Age<\/span><\/b><span data-ccp-props=\"{&quot;201341983&quot;:0,&quot;335559685&quot;:720,&quot;335559739&quot;:160,&quot;335559740&quot;:259}\">\u00a0<\/span><\/h3>\n<p><span data-contrast=\"auto\">Most things, unless they\u2019re collectibles, tend to become less valuable as they get older.<\/span><span data-ccp-props=\"{&quot;201341983&quot;:0,&quot;335559685&quot;:720,&quot;335559739&quot;:160,&quot;335559740&quot;:259}\">\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<h3><b><span data-contrast=\"auto\">Condition<\/span><\/b><span data-ccp-props=\"{&quot;201341983&quot;:0,&quot;335559685&quot;:720,&quot;335559739&quot;:160,&quot;335559740&quot;:259}\">\u00a0<\/span><\/h3>\n<p><span data-contrast=\"auto\">Every car naturally suffers some form of wear and tear the older it gets and the more it gets used.<\/span><span data-ccp-props=\"{&quot;201341983&quot;:0,&quot;335559685&quot;:720,&quot;335559739&quot;:160,&quot;335559740&quot;:259}\">\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<h3><b><span data-contrast=\"auto\">Mileage<\/span><\/b><span data-ccp-props=\"{&quot;201341983&quot;:0,&quot;335559685&quot;:720,&quot;335559739&quot;:160,&quot;335559740&quot;:259}\">\u00a0<\/span><\/h3>\n<p><span data-contrast=\"auto\">The more you drive your car, the more likely it will need repairs \u2013 hence it depreciates in value.<\/span><span data-ccp-props=\"{&quot;201341983&quot;:0,&quot;335559685&quot;:720,&quot;335559739&quot;:160,&quot;335559740&quot;:259}\">\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span data-contrast=\"auto\">As well as these, the mere fact that car manufacturers are always coming out with new cars every year means that, even if you buy a top-of-the-line model, it won\u2019t stay top-of-the-line for long.<\/span><span data-ccp-props=\"{&quot;201341983&quot;:0,&quot;335559739&quot;:160,&quot;335559740&quot;:259}\">\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<h2 style=\"text-align: left;\"><b><span data-contrast=\"auto\">How much do cars depreciate in value over time?<\/span><\/b><span data-ccp-props=\"{&quot;201341983&quot;:0,&quot;335559739&quot;:160,&quot;335559740&quot;:259}\">\u00a0<\/span><\/h2>\n<p><span data-contrast=\"auto\">As mentioned, each car depreciates at a different rate, but there are rough guides you can follow to help you understand the average rate of car depreciation and how to calculate car depreciation.<\/span><span data-ccp-props=\"{&quot;201341983&quot;:0,&quot;335559739&quot;:160,&quot;335559740&quot;:259}\">\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span data-contrast=\"auto\">Generally, a new car will lose around 20% of its value in the first year of ownership. This includes the 10-15% it loses the moment it\u2019s driven out of the dealership (yes, that\u2019s a true fact!).<\/span><span data-ccp-props=\"{&quot;201341983&quot;:0,&quot;335559739&quot;:160,&quot;335559740&quot;:259}\">\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span data-contrast=\"auto\">Over a five-year period, the average car loses around 40% of its original value.<\/span><span data-ccp-props=\"{&quot;201341983&quot;:0,&quot;335559739&quot;:160,&quot;335559740&quot;:259}\">\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<h2 style=\"text-align: left;\"><b><span data-contrast=\"auto\">Why do some cars depreciate more than others?<\/span><\/b><span data-ccp-props=\"{&quot;201341983&quot;:0,&quot;335559739&quot;:160,&quot;335559740&quot;:259}\">\u00a0<\/span><\/h2>\n<p><span data-contrast=\"auto\">There are a few key reasons why some cars depreciate more or quicker than other cars do:<\/span><span data-ccp-props=\"{&quot;201341983&quot;:0,&quot;335559739&quot;:160,&quot;335559740&quot;:259}\">\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<h3><b><span data-contrast=\"auto\">Make and Model<\/span><\/b><span data-ccp-props=\"{&quot;201341983&quot;:0,&quot;335559685&quot;:720,&quot;335559739&quot;:160,&quot;335559740&quot;:259}\">\u00a0<\/span><\/h3>\n<p><span data-contrast=\"auto\">Popular cars, such as small SUVs and family cars driven by the masses, tend to hold onto their value longer than, say, luxury cars which are much more costly to run and maintain.<\/span><span data-ccp-props=\"{&quot;201341983&quot;:0,&quot;335559685&quot;:720,&quot;335559739&quot;:160,&quot;335559740&quot;:259}\">\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span data-contrast=\"auto\">Factors such as colour and fuel efficiency also play a role in car depreciation and resale value as well.<\/span><span data-ccp-props=\"{&quot;201341983&quot;:0,&quot;335559685&quot;:720,&quot;335559739&quot;:160,&quot;335559740&quot;:259}\">\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<h3><b><span data-contrast=\"auto\">Level of Demand<\/span><\/b><span data-ccp-props=\"{&quot;201341983&quot;:0,&quot;335559685&quot;:720,&quot;335559739&quot;:160,&quot;335559740&quot;:259}\">\u00a0<\/span><\/h3>\n<p><span data-contrast=\"auto\">Some cars are just in much higher demand than others on the market.<\/span><span data-ccp-props=\"{&quot;201341983&quot;:0,&quot;335559685&quot;:720,&quot;335559739&quot;:160,&quot;335559740&quot;:259}\">\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span data-contrast=\"auto\">If most people want an economic mid-sized SUV and they\u2019re hard to come by right now, your SUV is going to be much easier to sell than a high-end two-seater car that chews through fuel.<\/span><span data-ccp-props=\"{&quot;201341983&quot;:0,&quot;335559685&quot;:720,&quot;335559739&quot;:160,&quot;335559740&quot;:259}\">\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<h3><b><span data-contrast=\"auto\">Brand Reputation<\/span><\/b><span data-ccp-props=\"{&quot;201341983&quot;:0,&quot;335559685&quot;:720,&quot;335559739&quot;:160,&quot;335559740&quot;:259}\">\u00a0<\/span><\/h3>\n<p><span data-contrast=\"auto\">A high-quality and popular branded car that doesn\u2019t cost a lot to keep it running is going to hold its value far longer than a car built by a manufacturer you\u2019ve never heard of with parts that are almost impossible to get replaced in Australia.<\/span><span data-ccp-props=\"{&quot;201341983&quot;:0,&quot;335559685&quot;:720,&quot;335559739&quot;:160,&quot;335559740&quot;:259}\">\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span data-contrast=\"auto\">Now, we\u2019re going to give you a few tips to help minimise your car\u2019s depreciation as much as possible.<\/span><span data-ccp-props=\"{&quot;201341983&quot;:0,&quot;335559739&quot;:160,&quot;335559740&quot;:259}\">\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<h2 style=\"text-align: left;\"><b><span data-contrast=\"auto\">What are the best ways to maintain the value of your car?<\/span><\/b><span data-ccp-props=\"{&quot;201341983&quot;:0,&quot;335559739&quot;:160,&quot;335559740&quot;:259}\">\u00a0<\/span><\/h2>\n<p><span data-contrast=\"auto\">There are several things you can do over the life of your car to help it maintain its value:<\/span><span data-ccp-props=\"{&quot;201341983&quot;:0,&quot;335559739&quot;:160,&quot;335559740&quot;:259}\">\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<h3><b><span data-contrast=\"auto\">Do Your Research<\/span><\/b><span data-ccp-props=\"{&quot;201341983&quot;:0,&quot;335559685&quot;:720,&quot;335559739&quot;:160,&quot;335559740&quot;:259}\">\u00a0<\/span><\/h3>\n<p><span data-contrast=\"auto\">First and foremost, when looking to buy a new car, spend some time researching the cars that hold their value better than others.<\/span><span data-ccp-props=\"{&quot;201341983&quot;:0,&quot;335559685&quot;:720,&quot;335559739&quot;:160,&quot;335559740&quot;:259}\">\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span data-contrast=\"auto\">Look for cars that will still be in high demand as used cars, and remember factors such as colour and style when considering resale value too.<\/span><span data-ccp-props=\"{&quot;201341983&quot;:0,&quot;335559685&quot;:720,&quot;335559739&quot;:160,&quot;335559740&quot;:259}\">\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<h3><b><span data-contrast=\"auto\">Keep Your Mileage Low<\/span><\/b><span data-ccp-props=\"{&quot;201341983&quot;:0,&quot;335559685&quot;:720,&quot;335559739&quot;:160,&quot;335559740&quot;:259}\">\u00a0<\/span><\/h3>\n<p><span data-contrast=\"auto\">You want to enjoy your new car and use it as much as you need, but if you\u2019re looking to sell it in a few years, try to keep those long drives on the open road to a minimum.<\/span><span data-ccp-props=\"{&quot;201341983&quot;:0,&quot;335559685&quot;:720,&quot;335559739&quot;:160,&quot;335559740&quot;:259}\">\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span data-contrast=\"auto\">A 5-year-old car with only 60,000km on the odometer is going to sell for more than a similar car that\u2019s already ticked over 100,000km.<\/span><span data-ccp-props=\"{&quot;201341983&quot;:0,&quot;335559685&quot;:720,&quot;335559739&quot;:160,&quot;335559740&quot;:259}\">\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<h3><b><span data-contrast=\"auto\">Take Great Care of Your Car<\/span><\/b><span data-ccp-props=\"{&quot;201341983&quot;:0,&quot;335559685&quot;:720,&quot;335559739&quot;:160,&quot;335559740&quot;:259}\">\u00a0<\/span><\/h3>\n<p><span data-contrast=\"auto\">This one is a no-brainer. Get your car serviced regularly, in line with the manufacturer\u2019s recommendations. Keep it clean, inside and out. If there\u2019s any damage, like small dents or paint chips, get it taken care of immediately.<\/span><span data-ccp-props=\"{&quot;201341983&quot;:0,&quot;335559685&quot;:720,&quot;335559739&quot;:160,&quot;335559740&quot;:259}\">\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span data-contrast=\"auto\">Hopefully, by now you have a better understanding of how car depreciation works, and you can use what you\u2019ve learned to help you make better decisions when buying and maintaining your new car.<\/span><span data-ccp-props=\"{&quot;201341983&quot;:0,&quot;335559739&quot;:160,&quot;335559740&quot;:259}\">\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span data-contrast=\"auto\">Of course, if you\u2019re looking for help when buying your new car, Private Fleet can help.<\/span><span data-ccp-props=\"{&quot;201341983&quot;:0,&quot;335559739&quot;:160,&quot;335559740&quot;:259}\">\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<h2 style=\"text-align: left;\"><b><span data-contrast=\"auto\">Find the right vehicle at the right price with Private Fleet<\/span><\/b><span data-ccp-props=\"{&quot;201341983&quot;:0,&quot;335559739&quot;:160,&quot;335559740&quot;:259}\">\u00a0<\/span><\/h2>\n<p><a href=\"https:\/\/www.privatefleet.com.au\/\"><span data-contrast=\"none\">Private Fleet<\/span><\/a><span data-contrast=\"auto\"> empowers you to gain all the benefits of a fleet purchase but as a private buyer.<\/span><span data-ccp-props=\"{&quot;201341983&quot;:0,&quot;335559739&quot;:160,&quot;335559740&quot;:259}\">\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span data-contrast=\"auto\">Backed by decades of vehicle industry experience, fleet buying power and a network of car dealers across Australia, we are here to ensure that buying your next vehicle will be as straightforward as possible for you.<\/span><span data-ccp-props=\"{&quot;201341983&quot;:0,&quot;335559739&quot;:160,&quot;335559740&quot;:259}\">\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span data-contrast=\"auto\">Shopping for a car is an enjoyable process \u2013 let us make it hassle-free, too.<\/span><span data-ccp-props=\"{&quot;201341983&quot;:0,&quot;335559739&quot;:160,&quot;335559740&quot;:259}\">\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<p><a href=\"https:\/\/www.privatefleet.com.au\/about-us\/national-contact-details\/\"><span data-contrast=\"none\">Reach out to us today<\/span><\/a><span data-contrast=\"auto\"> for a seamless and simple car-buying experience.<\/span><span data-ccp-props=\"{&quot;201341983&quot;:0,&quot;335559739&quot;:160,&quot;335559740&quot;:259}\">\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>Buying a new car is an exciting time. It\u2019s fun to wander up and down a dealership looking at all the new cars to find the perfect one.\u00a0 Of course, when buying a new car, there are several cost factors to consider, such as:\u00a0\u00a0 on-road costs\u00a0 fuel economy, as well as\u00a0\u00a0 servicing and insurance costs [&hellip;]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":24,"featured_media":0,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[7023,4049],"tags":[7830,7831,665,7832],"class_list":["post-15350","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","hentry","category-car-maintenance","category-new-cars","tag-car-depreciation","tag-maintain-the-value-of-your-car","tag-new-car","tag-resale-value"],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.privatefleet.com.au\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/15350","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.privatefleet.com.au\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.privatefleet.com.au\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.privatefleet.com.au\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/24"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.privatefleet.com.au\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=15350"}],"version-history":[{"count":2,"href":"https:\/\/www.privatefleet.com.au\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/15350\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":15354,"href":"https:\/\/www.privatefleet.com.au\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/15350\/revisions\/15354"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.privatefleet.com.au\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=15350"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.privatefleet.com.au\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=15350"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.privatefleet.com.au\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=15350"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}