Lose Money Fast: Cars That Expertly Fail at Resale Value
Buying a car is a bit of a gamble these days, especially since not all brands hold their value. Some love value way faster than others, leaving you with less when it’s time to sell. Let’s look at these car brands with the worst resale value.
Maserati
Maserati’s are gorgeous cars and sound amazing, but they lose value fast. Repairs are pricey, and not many people want to gamble on owning one out of warranty. If you buy one new, expect it to drop in value quicker than you’d like. It’s luxury, but with headaches.
BMW
BMWs are super fun to drive. But that depreciation is brutal! Everyone loves the thrill of owning one, but buyers worry about high maintenance costs later on. That makes resale tough. You realize just how much the value has dropped when you try to sell them.
Volvo
Volvo builds safe, comfortable cars. Sadly, they just don’t hold onto their value well. They’re nice cars, sure, but when it’s time to sell, you won’t get as much back as you hoped. People just prefer German brands instead, leaving used Volvos sitting on lots.
Audi
Audi’s have some pretty sleek styling and great tech. But ask anyone who’s tried to sell their Audi and they’ll tell you that resale value isn’t a strong point. Once the gadgets start aging, buyers shy away. Suddenly, your Audi feels outdated fast.
Lincoln
Most buyers think of a Lincoln as Grandpa’s car. Sure, they’re big and comfy, but they aren’t exactly cool - especially in the resale market. They’re smooth and roomy, but demand just isn’t strong. The value drops a lot quicker than you’d expect.
Infiniti
Infiniti cars promise luxury, but they have the same status pull as BMW or Mercedes. Buyers skip them when shopping for a used car. A weaker brand recognition also means resale takes a big hit. You might love driving one, but selling it down the road is tough.
Mercedes-Benz
Merc screams luxury. But once it’s out of warranty, it can really drain your wallet. Upkeep is expensive, and that fear keeps the resale value low. They’re amazing to own, but don’t expect to make much back when you sell.
Land Rover
Land Rovers are as tough as they are stylish. But the resale value? It’s not so tough. They’re known for expensive repairs. Sure, they have great off-road power, but many people avoid used ones. That shine wears off quickly when it’s time to move on to another car.
Jaguar
If there’s one brand that turns heads, it’s Jaguar. Their cars all have a sleek and stylish design, but depreciation is not Jag’s friend. Buyers don’t trust their reliability and that drives prices down. They’re gorgeous, but the used market demand is weak.
Buick
Buick’s are solid and comfortable, but younger buyers usually don’t want them. They have a reputation as an “older driver” car, which makes the used demand pretty low. If you buy one new, don’t expect a big return later when you decide to move on.
Tesla
Tesla had a strong resale value for a while. But now they’re slipping as new EVs come out almost every other day. This leaves the Tesla feeling outdated. Oh, and that battery life and tech changes also scare some buyers. It’s just not worth the risk.
Alfa Romeo
Alfa’s are stylish and sporty, and have always been a car most drivers would sell a kidney to own. But they don’t have a big following in the U.S., and repairs are expensive. Needless to say the resale values tumble, even though they do look fantastic.
Nissan
Nissan has some good and solid models, but not all hold value the same. Sedans like the Altima drop quickly because the market is flooded with them. And SUVs don’t hold resale as strong as rivals, either. They’re reliable, but there’s just no demand for them.
Chrysler
Chrysler’s lineup is pretty small, and that hurts resale. Their minivans do okay, but other models drop value fast. Buyers just don’t see them as exciting or trendy. That lack of buzz makes them far less appealing on the used market.
Dodge
Dodge is known for their muscle cars and big SUVs, but the resale isn’t great. Gas prices and changing tastes hurt demand. Chargers and Challengers are cool but they lose money quickly. SUVs like the Durango don’t do much better.
Jeep
Jeep has always had a strong fan base, but not all models hold value. Wranglers do okay, but others like the Cherokee or Compass drop fast. Thanks to reliability concerns and heavy competition, the resale value isn’t what it should or could be.
Ford
Ford sells a ton of cars, which makes resale tricky. There are so many on the road, so the supply is high, and that lowers prices. Trucks do better, but sedans and SUVs lose value quickly. Yes, they’re dependable, but you won’t make much when you sell.
Volkswagen
VW’s are known for their solid handling, but they’re not top of the list for resale. Reliability concerns from past years still hurt, and that makes buyers cautious. They’re incredibly fun to own, but they depreciate faster than their Japanese rivals.
MINI
Everyone loves the MINI, but not everyone wants one used. Its small size really limits its appeal, and maintenance can get pricey. This shrinks the buyer pool, which pushes the resale value way down. Don’t expect to cash in much when you sell your cute and zippy MINI.
Kia
Kia has improved in quality over the years, but some models still drop fast in value - especially sedans. SUVs do a bit better, but resale overall isn’t strong compared to Kia’s rivals. Not even the great warranty matters much when you’re selling your Kia.
Hyundai
Hyundai’s cars are solid and have great features. But the resale value is a hit-or-miss. Those old reputations for cheap cars really sticks around, and not many people want a used Hyundai. They’re great when you buy them new, but now when you’re trying to sell them.
Mitsubishi
Mitsubishi’s have very low resale value. Why? Because their lineup is small, and demand is weak. Many buyers don’t even think about Mitsubishi when shopping for used cars. And it’s this lack of popularity that crushes resale prices years later.
GMC
GMC makes great trucks and SUVs. But there’s lots of competition and reliability concerns that hold back some models. They look tough and capable, but when you go to sell, you may get less than expected with GMC’s low resale value.
FIAT
Fiat’s cars are tiny and quirky, but they don’t do so well in the U.S. Buyers worry about parts and reliability, and since they’re not as common, demand for used ones is low. That makes the resale value drop hard.
Porsche
Some Porsche models, like the 911, hold great value. But others, like the Cayenne and Panamera, don’t. Buyers prefer the sports cars, so demand for these “other” Porsche is weaker, and that leads to steep depreciation. Tip: Buy a sporty Porsche and not an SUV.
Genesis
Genesis is one of the newer brands on the market, but that doesn’t mean their cars have great resale value. Demand isn’t strong yet, but the brand recognition just isn’t there. It’s the lack of popularity that really hurts resale prices.
Acura
Acura’s cars are reliable, sure, but the resale value isn’t as strong as, say, Lexus or Toyota. Some models just don’t stand out in the luxury crowd, and that hurts demand. They’re great daily drivers, but don’t expect a great return when you sell.
Lexus
Lexus is known for its great resale value, but that doesn’t apply to all its models. Entry-level sedans like the IS don’t do as well, and buyers usually chase the SUVs instead. If you own a less popular Lexus, the resale value won’t be strong.
Saturn
Saturn may not be around anymore, but there are still plenty on the used market. The brand shut down, and that tanked resale value. Parts are way harder to find, and too many buyers are cautious about buying a car that can’t be fixed.
Cadillac
Cadillacs are built for comfort and luxury, but the brand really struggles with resale. From the lack of demand to high maintenance costs, people just aren’t convinced that buying a used Cadillac is worth it. You’ll take a big loss.
Subaru
Not all Subaru models hold their value well. Sedans like the Legacy and Impreza drop way faster than the popular Outback and Forester. Buyers want SUVs, so sedans get left behind. Resale really stings with certain models.
Chevrolet
Chevy makes tons of trucks and cars. But models like the Trax and Malibu lose value quickly. Trucks do a little better, but now enough to make people want to rush out and buy a car that they know they’re going to struggle to sell later.
Toyota
Toyota is usually the king of resale, but not all models shine. Sedans, in particular, drop quickly because buyers want SUVs instead. The brand is strong overall, but the less-popular cars remind us not every Toyota is a safe bet for resale.
Honda
Honda usually does well with resale thanks to its reliability. But certain models drag behind. Cars and hybrids don’t have much demand, and buyers flock to Civics and CR-Vs instead. Make sure you don’t end up with one of the oddballs.
Mazda
Mazda makes super sporty and stylish cars. But the resale isn’t as strong as many would expect it to be. Crossovers do well, but sedans and compact cars lose their value quickly. In the used market, buyers lean more toward Honda or Toyota.
