The rankings, straight from the data
Every table below is computed live from our depreciation model, not from opinion. Same method for every car, ranked by how much of your money is still in it later. All figures are estimates.
By body type
Bakkies, SUVs, hatchbacks and sedans, each ranked on three-year retention.
Hilux, Ranger, D-Max and every other bakkie sold new in South Africa, ranked by how much value they keep after three years.
See the tableFamily SUVs and crossovers ranked by three-year value retention in South Africa, from Fortuner-class workhorses to compact crossovers.
See the tableFrom Polo to Swift: the hatchbacks that stay worth something on the South African used market, ranked over three years.
See the tableSedans depreciate faster than SUVs and bakkies in South Africa. These are the ones that resist it best over three years.
See the tableBy budget
The strongest value-holders inside each price band.
Entry-level cars under R200 000 ranked by how much of your money is still in them after three years.
See the tableThe strongest value-holders under R300 000 in South Africa, ranked over a three-year horizon with rand figures.
See the tableCars under R400 000 that hold their value best in South Africa, based on our tiered depreciation model.
See the tableThe best value-retainers under half a million rand, from family SUVs to double-cab bakkies.
See the tablePremium-adjacent money deserves a car that holds it. The best value-retainers under R750 000 in South Africa.
See the tableBy horizon
Keeping a car five years instead of three changes the order.
Special
The overall tables, plus the corners of the market people argue about.
The South African cars that keep the most of their value after three years, ranked with rand figures from our depreciation model.
See the tableThe other end of the table: the new cars that shed value quickest in South Africa, and why buying them used makes more sense.
See the tableHybrids now hold value better than petrol cars in South Africa while most EVs still depreciate hard. The full electrified ranking.
See the tablePremium badges depreciate hardest in South Africa. What BMW, Mercedes-Benz, Audi and the flagships are really worth after three years.
See the tableHaval, Chery, GWM, BYD and the new arrivals: how Chinese cars hold value in South Africa, ranked with the data we have.
See the table