The study of more than 7000 cars reveals electric and hybrid models retain most value over three years and 30,000 miles, with diesels depreciating the fastest. What Car? found alternative fuel vehicles retain 47% of their value on average after three years and 30,000 miles, while petrol models were found to retain 43% and diesels just 40%.

Depreciation is a large but largely hidden cost of owning a car. Some of the bottom performers lose 80% of their value in just three years.

“The worst depreciating table is a reminder that new car buyers need to do their homework before signing on the dotted line,” said What Car? editor Steve Huntingford. “Securing the best deal possible on a new car helps offset the money it will lose.”

The other side of the coin is that some of the biggest depreciating cars are still decent cars and can make excellent used purchases at three years of age. So let’s take a look at the data – we start with the best (least) depreciating cars you can buy today - after that, we'll look at the worst (most) depreciators: