The car value is determined based on the new price of the vehicle at the time of purchase. In addition to the date of first registration and the age of the car (year of manufacture), the equipment, the condition of the car and the number of kilometers must also be taken into account.
Calculator
The result of the calculation does not constitute an offer
Table
Example: Car with a new price of 20,000 euros:
| Age | Loss of value (%) | Car value (€) |
|---|---|---|
| 1 Year | ca. 30 % | ca. 14.000 € |
| 3 years | ca. 45 % | ca. 11.000 € |
| 5 years | ca. 60 % | ca. 8.000 € |
| 7 years | ca. 70 % | ca. 6.000 € |
| 10 years | ca. 75 % | ca. 5.000 € |
| 15 years | ca. 85 % | ca. 3.000 € |
All information is without guarantee
Use calculator:
- Enter the new price of the vehicle in the calculator.
- Enter the number of kilometers.
- Enter the year of first registration.
- Enter the year of manufacture of the vehicle.
- Click on
Calculating car value and depreciation
How can car depreciation be calculated and when does it reach its peak? Is depreciation the same for all models? The following article provides the answers.
Different depreciation
For a private individual, buying a car is one of the biggest investments. Before deciding on a specific car, information on depreciation should be obtained. This is because depreciation plays a particularly important role if the vehicle is being financed. The chosen term should be adapted to the depreciation of the car. If the vehicle is a total loss following an accident, the residual value will be reimbursed by the insurance company so that the financing installments can continue to be paid. However, if this sum is not sufficient, you will continue to pay for a vehicle that you no longer own.
If you only plan to keep the vehicle for a short time, the residual value also plays an important role when reselling it. But you can also do a lot yourself to maintain the value of the vehicle. If the interior or paintwork is in poor condition, the residual value will be significantly reduced. This also applies to high mileage. In addition, the vehicle should be taken to a workshop at regular intervals. This is because light bulbs, bearings, clutch, exhaust, tires and brakes should be checked regularly and replaced if necessary.
This also includes changing the oil, replacing the timing belt and monitoring the fuel levels. The engine should not be unnecessarily stressed by excessive revs and the paintwork should receive the appropriate care. For many potential buyers, the appearance of the vehicle plays an important role, at least as important as the technical performance.
Loss of value is not constant
Depreciation varies greatly depending on the type of vehicle. Vehicles whose new price is very high have a higher depreciation than inexpensive vehicles. This can be attributed to the fact that the parts installed in the more expensive vehicles are of a higher quality. The vehicles have better breakdown statistics and the engines are more powerful. The Schwacke list can be used to determine what proportion of the new price can still be demanded for a vehicle.
Especially in the first year, the depreciation is very high. Values of 25 percent are not uncommon here. After three years, some vehicles are only worth half their original price. The loss in value is slower after five years. But even here, a loss of five percent per year can be factored in.
Very old vehicles, i.e. those that are more than ten years old, often experience a stagnation in value. If it is a very high-quality model, it is even conceivable that the value of the vehicle will rise again. Vintage and classic cars that are in very good condition can also be sold without losing value. Even if inflation is taken into account. In recent years, it has become clear that the loss in value of cheaper vehicles is not as high as that of expensive cars. At least during the first ten years. After that, they also lose a lot of value. It is often almost impossible to achieve prices above 1,000 euros. With expensive vehicles, on the other hand, a four-figure sum can be demanded even after more than twenty years.