Based on 120,320 used cars listed for sale across the U.S. (May 2026–July 2026), a typical vehicle loses roughly 52% of its value in its first 5 years and about 77% within 10 years. The steepest drop is up front — around 27% gone in the first year alone. In dollars, on today's ~$52,988 near-new median that's roughly $14,307 lost in year one and about $27,554 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 | 5,958 mi | 1,523 | |
| 2025 | 17,290 mi | 2,319 | |
| 2024 | 33,053 mi | 2,956 | |
| 2023 | 50,629 mi | 3,611 | |
| 2022 | 75,544 mi | 4,000 | |
| 2021 | 82,924 mi | 4,789 | |
| 2020 | 97,764 mi | 4,710 | |
| 2019 | 105,009 mi | 6,866 | |
| 2018 | 112,525 mi | 7,047 | |
| 2017 | 117,836 mi | 8,345 | |
| 2016 | 122,471 mi | 8,218 | |
| 2015 | 129,550 mi | 9,024 | |
| 2014 | 133,636 mi | 7,634 | |
| 2013 | 137,082 mi | 6,914 | |
| 2012 | 140,111 mi | 6,497 | |
| 2011 | 147,554 mi | 4,785 | |
| 2010 | 146,201 mi | 4,039 | |
| 2009 | 146,356 mi | 3,080 | |
| 2008 | 151,353 mi | 4,144 | |
| 2007 | 156,131 mi | 3,698 | |
| 2006 | 149,978 mi | 3,196 | |
| 2005 | 154,988 mi | 2,701 |
Which brands hold their value best
Over five years, Honda holds the most — about 76% of its value — while GMC keeps just 35%. 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 Outback keeps 77% of its value after five years, while a Nissan Pathfinder holds barely 31% — 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:
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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 27%) 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: SUV vs van
SUVs hold about 55% of their value over five years, while vans keep only 36%.
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 $1,834 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.
Median asking price by odometer reading, all model years pooled — the shape of mileage-based depreciation.
Frequently asked questions
How much does a new car depreciate in the first year?
How much is a car worth after 5 years?
Which car brands hold their value best?
Do luxury cars depreciate faster?
How does mileage affect a car's value?
Is it better to buy a car that's 2–3 years old?
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/