Used Cars with the Best Resale Value
Buying a car that holds its value means losing less money when you eventually sell. Here's what to look for.
Every car loses value over time, but some lose far less than others. Buying with resale value in mind means more money back down the road.
What drives strong resale value
- Reliability reputation. Brands and models known for going the distance hold value best — buyers pay for dependability.
- Demand. Popular body styles hold value better. In our region, well-kept trucks and SUVs tend to stay in demand.
- Low running costs. Good fuel economy and cheap maintenance keep a car desirable.
- Brand perception. Some makes simply command more on resale.
Body styles that tend to hold up
- Trucks — consistently strong resale, especially full-size and midsize pickups.
- SUVs and crossovers — steady demand keeps values up.
- Reliable compact and midsize cars from brands with strong dependability reputations.
What hurts resale value
- A branded title (salvage/rebuilt) — a major hit.
- High mileage relative to age.
- Unusual colors or stripped-down/oddly-optioned trims.
- Gaps in service history.
- A rental or fleet history.
How to buy for resale value
Choose a reliable, in-demand model with a clean title and good service records, in a common color, and keep up the maintenance while you own it. Do that, and you'll lose far less when it's time to sell — a used car that already took its biggest depreciation hit, bought smart, can be remarkably cheap to own.
Browse local listings and look for the dependable, in-demand models that hold their value.