Based on 531,355 used cars listed for sale across the U.S. (May 2026–August 2026), a typical vehicle loses roughly 44% of its value in its first 5 years and about 72% within 10 years. The steepest drop is up front — around 19% gone in the first year alone. In dollars, on today's ~$43,400 near-new median that's roughly $8,246 lost in year one and about $19,096 over five years.
Median price by model year
Median asking price of used cars on the market today, by model year — the shape of depreciation. Hover or drag to scrub.
| Model year | Median price | Avg mileage | Listings |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2026 | 4,597 mi | 6,692 | |
| 2025 | 17,517 mi | 11,712 | |
| 2024 | 32,935 mi | 13,479 | |
| 2023 | 48,854 mi | 16,423 | |
| 2022 | 71,899 mi | 16,841 | |
| 2021 | 80,718 mi | 18,645 | |
| 2020 | 94,154 mi | 20,854 | |
| 2019 | 101,092 mi | 28,882 | |
| 2018 | 107,152 mi | 30,900 | |
| 2017 | 114,360 mi | 34,597 | |
| 2016 | 119,227 mi | 34,364 | |
| 2015 | 126,253 mi | 37,124 | |
| 2014 | 130,586 mi | 32,817 | |
| 2013 | 134,138 mi | 30,468 | |
| 2012 | 139,464 mi | 26,713 | |
| 2011 | 143,034 mi | 21,073 | |
| 2010 | 145,699 mi | 17,168 | |
| 2009 | 144,354 mi | 12,973 | |
| 2008 | 150,065 mi | 18,124 | |
| 2007 | 152,475 mi | 16,548 | |
| 2006 | 150,501 mi | 15,040 | |
| 2005 | 151,017 mi | 12,559 |
Which brands hold their value best
Over five years, Honda holds the most — about 76% of its value — while Cadillac keeps just 22%. Which badge is on the hood moves the money more than almost anything else.
Share of value kept after five years — median price of a 1-year-old car vs a 5-year-old, by brand.
The models that hold value — and the ones that don't
At the model level the gap is brutal: a Subaru Impreza keeps 86% of its value after five years, while a Ford F-550 holds barely 20% — a five-figure difference on the same-age car.
Models that hold value best — 1-year-old vs 5-year-old median price.
…and the fastest to lose it:
Everything on ForCar, without the guesswork.
- Exact car values instead of ranges
- Full research reports and window stickers
- Price-drop alerts and market charts
- Bulk VIN decode for whole inventories
- No ads, no tracking — and much more
How much value is gone by each age
Cumulative loss from new, by age — the first year is the cliff, then it eases.
The math points to buying at 2–3 years old: the first-year cliff (about 19%) has already been paid by the original owner, yet the car is still nearly new — low miles, often with factory warranty left.
Body style matters: Coupe vs pickup
Coupes hold about 113% of their value over five years, while pickups keep only 46%.
Do pricier cars lose more?
Average value kept over five years, grouped by a car's price when near-new.
How mileage drives the price down
Independent of age, a used car sheds roughly $1,574 for every 10,000 miles on the odometer. Low-mileage cars command a steep premium — which is why a garage-kept commuter and a road-warrior of the same year can be worlds apart in price. Check current used-market prices to see the spread for yourself.
Median asking price by odometer reading, all model years pooled — the shape of mileage-based depreciation.
How a salvage or rebuilt title cuts value
A salvage or rebuilt title knocks roughly 19% off a car's price versus an identical clean-title car of the same year. A vehicle that's been totaled and repaired sells for far less — even when it looks and drives fine.
Share of listings by title status — the vast majority are clean, but branded (salvage + rebuilt) titles trade at a steep discount.
Car depreciation — frequently asked
How much does a new car depreciate in the first year?
Based on 531,355 current U.S. used-car listings, a typical vehicle loses about 19% of its value in the first year — the single steepest drop.
How much is a car worth after 5 years?
On average a 5-year-old car keeps roughly 56% of its value — about 44% is gone. By 10 years the loss is around 72%.
Which car brands hold their value best?
In our data Honda holds the most — about 76% of value over five years — while Cadillac keeps roughly 22%.
Do luxury cars depreciate faster?
Yes. Cars priced over $70k when near-new kept the least value over five years in our data, while mid-priced mainstream cars held up best.
How does mileage affect a car's value?
A used car loses about $1,574 for every 10,000 miles on the odometer, on top of age-based depreciation.
Is it better to buy a car that's 2–3 years old?
Often yes: the first-year depreciation cliff (~19%) is already absorbed by the original owner, yet a 2–3-year-old car is still nearly new with low miles.
How much does a salvage or rebuilt title lower a car's value?
A salvage or rebuilt title cuts a car's price by about 19% versus an identical clean-title car of the same year, based on our listings. Branded-title cars are cheaper to buy but harder to insure and resell.
Methodology
Cite this study
Journalists and writers are welcome to use these findings with attribution and a link to this page.
ForCar Research, “How Fast Does a Car Lose Value?.” ForCar.org. https://forcar.org/car-depreciation/