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How car depreciation works in the UK

Depreciation is the quiet cost behind every car deal. Age, mileage, fuel type, condition, MOT history, and buyer demand all decide how much value disappears.

Estimate depreciation

£
years
miles
months
Estimated value loss
£1,440
Estimated future value
£10,560
Monthly depreciation
£120

Age

Most cars lose value fastest in the first three years. Older cars often depreciate more slowly, but condition and repair risk start to matter more.

Mileage

Mileage changes buyer confidence. A tidy 45,000-mile car and a tired 95,000-mile car can sit in very different price bands.

Fuel type

Diesel demand is more local and more sensitive to Clean Air Zones. Electric cars can move sharply when battery anxiety or market supply changes.

MOT and service history

A long MOT, clean advisories, and documented maintenance can slow value loss because buyers see less immediate risk.

Want the current value too?

Depreciation tells you how value may move. The valuation tool estimates what the car may be worth today using registration, mileage, condition, and market context.

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