Evidence

Depreciation evidence

"Teslas lose value faster than anything else" is a common claim. Here's what @TeslaFB13 found comparing UK approved-used asking prices for 3-year-old SUVs, like for like, including where Tesla did not come out on top.

3-year-old SUVs: value lost (data collected 2 Nov 2026)

The Tesla Model Y RWD lost 43.1% of its 2023 list price. That is the smallest loss of any electric SUV in the data (the other EVs lost 50.6% to 55.8%), and about the same as the Audi Q5 45 TFSI quattro S line (43.4%). It did not beat petrol and hybrid SUVs overall: the Toyota RAV4 2.5 Hybrid Excel FWD, Toyota RAV4 Plug-in Dynamic, BMW X3 xDrive20i M Sport, Range Rover Evoque P250, Mercedes GLC 300 4MATIC AMG Line Premium and Volvo XC60 B5 Plus all held value better.

Bar chart of % of 2023 UK list price lost by 3-year-old SUVs. Toyota RAV4 Hybrid 26.7% lowest, Tesla Model Y RWD 43.1%, Audi Q5 43.4%, Mercedes EQB 55.8% highest.
Chart: @TeslaFB13. Click to enlarge.

The chart rows

Model / trimFuelnMilesMedian asking2023 list% lostUsed-price source
Toyota RAV4 2.5 Hybrid Excel FWDPetrol hybrid2120-40k£30,699£41,86526.7%Toyota Approved Used
Toyota RAV4 Plug-in DynamicPHEV1920-40k£32,150£45,75529.7%Toyota Approved Used
BMW X3 xDrive20i M SportPetrol3020-40k£34,000£49,09530.7%BMW Approved Used
Range Rover Evoque P250Petrol5all£31,995per car39.2%Land Rover Approved
Mercedes GLC 300 4MATIC AMG Line PremiumPetrol1520-40k£35,790£59,85040.2%Mercedes-Benz Approved Used
Volvo XC60 B5 PlusPetrol2820-40k£30,997£52,78541.3%Volvo Selekt
Tesla Model Y RWDElectric2820-40k£25,600£44,99043.1%Tesla UK used inventory
Audi Q5 45 TFSI quattro S linePetrol1120-40k£28,598£50,49043.4%Audi Approved Used
Polestar 2 Long Range Single Motor (MY23 FWD)Electric620-40k£22,944£46,45050.6%Polestar Pre-owned
Kia EV6 GT-Line S RWDElectric620-40k£25,995£52,74550.7%Kia UK used search (not Approved-flagged)
Audi Q4 e-tron 40 S lineElectric1120-40k£25,900£53,18051.3%Audi Approved Used
BMW iX3 M Sport ProElectric3120-40k£32,380£67,16551.8%BMW Approved Used
Hyundai Ioniq 5 77kWh Ultimate RWDElectric5all£23,995£49,94552.0%Hyundai Promise
Volvo XC40 Recharge Twin UltimateElectric1620-40k£27,950£61,85554.8%Volvo Selekt
Mercedes EQB 300/350 AMG Line (all trims)Electric10all£26,000per car55.8%Mercedes-Benz Approved Used

Method

  • UK SUVs first registered 1 Mar 2023 to 29 Feb 2024 (23 and 73 plates).
  • Cars with 20,000 to 40,000 miles. Where a trim had fewer than 5 such cars, all mileages were used; the mileage column shows which.
  • Median asking price compared with the 2023 UK list price of the same trim. % lost = 1 − used ÷ new. Option packs aren't added to list prices, so % lost is slightly understated for optioned cars.
  • Collected on 2 Nov 2026 from each brand's approved-used website: Audi Approved Used, BMW Approved Used, Hyundai Promise, Kia UK used search (not Approved-flagged), Land Rover Approved, Mercedes-Benz Approved Used, Polestar Pre-owned, Tesla UK used inventory, Toyota Approved Used, Volvo Selekt.
  • These are asking prices, not sale prices. Cars may sell for less, and dealer pricing differs by brand. Samples marked * have fewer than 10 cars.

Every model and trim

83 rows, including per-trim and pooled figures. Click a column heading to sort. Model Y rows are highlighted.

Model / trimFuelMileage bandCars (n)Median askingMedian miles2023 list price% lostMedian £ lost
Toyota RAV4 2.5 Hybrid Dynamic FWDPetrol hybridall mileages26£31,61323,148£41,55523.9%£9,942
Toyota RAV4 2.5 Hybrid GR SPORT AWDPetrol hybridall mileages10£34,69023,324£46,26525.0%£11,575
Toyota RAV4 2.5 Hybrid Excel FWDPetrol hybridall mileages35£31,22023,000£41,86525.4%£10,645
Toyota RAV4 2.5 Hybrid Dynamic FWDPetrol hybrid20-40k mi10£30,64224,526£41,55526.3%£10,912
Toyota RAV4 2.5 Hybrid (all trims pooled)Petrol hybridall mileages (per-car % vs own trim price)127£30,69924,514£36080-46265 (per car)26.5%£10,885
Toyota RAV4 2.5 Hybrid, no option packs (pooled)Petrol hybridall mileages (per-car % vs own trim price)104£30,49524,438£36080-46265 (per car)26.5%£10,885
Toyota RAV4 2.5 Hybrid GR SPORT AWDPetrol hybrid20-40k mi6£33,94825,806£46,26526.6%£12,318
Toyota RAV4 2.5 Hybrid Excel FWDPetrol hybrid20-40k mi21£30,69926,902£41,86526.7%£11,166
Toyota RAV4 2.5 Hybrid Design FWDPetrol hybridall mileages27£28,27525,978£38,88027.3%£10,605
Toyota RAV4 2.5 Hybrid Design AWDPetrol hybridall mileages5£30,01114,750£41,26027.3%£11,249
Toyota RAV4 2.5 Hybrid (all trims pooled)Petrol hybrid20-40k mi (per-car % vs own trim price)65£30,49026,902£38860-46265 (per car)27.3%£11,522
Toyota RAV4 2.5 Hybrid, no option packs (pooled)Petrol hybrid20-40k mi (per-car % vs own trim price)54£30,29026,899£38860-46265 (per car)27.5%£11,519
Toyota RAV4 all (hybrid + plug-in pooled)Petrol hybrid / PHEVall mileages (per-car % vs own trim price)183£30,92725,052£36080-48990 (per car)27.7%£11,866
Toyota RAV4 2.5 Hybrid Design FWDPetrol hybrid20-40k mi14£27,99528,214£38,88028.0%£10,885
Toyota RAV4 2.5 Hybrid Excel AWDPetrol hybridall mileages17£31,76626,532£44,24528.2%£12,479
Toyota RAV4 all (hybrid + plug-in pooled)Petrol hybrid / PHEV20-40k mi (per-car % vs own trim price)88£30,86126,722£38860-46265 (per car)28.2%£12,062
Toyota RAV4 2.5 Hybrid Icon FWDPetrol hybridall mileages2£25,87028,156£36,08028.3%£10,210
Toyota RAV4 Plug-in DynamicPHEV20-40k mi19£32,15026,089£45,75529.7%£13,605
Toyota RAV4 2.5 Hybrid Excel AWDPetrol hybrid20-40k mi11£30,99527,145£44,24529.9%£13,250
Toyota RAV4 Plug-in DynamicPHEVall mileages42£31,99930,308£45,75530.1%£13,756
Toyota RAV4 Plug-in (all trims pooled)PHEV20-40k mi (per-car % vs own trim price)23£31,99926,089£44140-45755 (per car)30.1%£13,756
Toyota RAV4 Plug-in (all trims pooled)PHEVall mileages (per-car % vs own trim price)56£31,49227,976£44140-48990 (per car)30.1%£13,878
BMW X3 xDrive20i M SportPetrolall mileages48£34,16827,118£49,09530.4%–
BMW X3 xDrive20i M SportPetrol20-40k mi30£34,00029,234£49,09530.7%–
Toyota RAV4 2.5 Hybrid Dynamic AWDPetrol hybrid20-40k mi3£30,29033,162£43,93531.1%£13,645
Toyota RAV4 2.5 Hybrid Dynamic AWDPetrol hybridall mileages5£30,29033,162£43,93531.1%£13,645
Toyota RAV4 Plug-in GR SPORTPHEVall mileages2£33,01230,406£48,99032.6%£15,978
Toyota RAV4 Plug-in DesignPHEVall mileages12£28,89023,686£44,14034.6%£15,250
Toyota RAV4 Plug-in DesignPHEV20-40k mi4£28,44129,324£44,14035.6%£15,699
Mercedes GLC 300 4MATIC AMG Line Premium PlusPetrol (MHEV)all mileages32£41,10021,554£64,35036.1%–
Mercedes GLC 300 4MATIC AMG LinePetrol (MHEV)all mileages16£34,02228,900£54,85038.0%–
Range Rover Evoque P250 Dynamic HSEPetrol (MHEV)20-40k mi1£32,49723,304£52,58538.2%–
Range Rover Evoque P250 Dynamic HSEPetrol (MHEV)all mileages3£32,49717,018£52,58538.2%–
Mercedes GLC 300 4MATIC AMG LinePetrol (MHEV)20-40k mi4£33,52231,994£54,35038.3%–
Mercedes GLC 300 4MATIC AMG Line Premium PlusPetrol (MHEV)20-40k mi17£39,99522,274£64,85038.3%–
Range Rover Evoque P250 (Dynamic HSE + R-Dynamic SE combined)Petrol (MHEV)all mileages (per-car % vs own trim price)5£31,99523,304£48910-52585 (per car)39.2%–
Volvo XC60 B5 PlusPetrol (MHEV)all mileages48£31,99524,758£52,78539.4%–
Mercedes GLC 300 4MATIC AMG Line PremiumPetrol (MHEV)all mileages22£36,09425,916£59,85039.7%–
Mercedes GLC 300 4MATIC AMG Line PremiumPetrol (MHEV)20-40k mi15£35,79027,421£59,85040.2%–
Volvo XC60 B5 CorePetrol (MHEV)20-40k mi19£27,93725,733£47,56041.3%–
Volvo XC60 B5 PlusPetrol (MHEV)20-40k mi28£30,99729,911£52,78541.3%–
Volvo XC60 B5 CorePetrol (MHEV)all mileages31£27,79026,528£47,56041.6%–
Audi Q5 40 TDI quattro S line (diesel)Diesel20-40k mi18£28,26031,987£49,33542.7%–
Tesla Model Y RWDElectric20-40k mi28£25,60031,111£44,99043.1%–
Volvo XC60 B5 UltimatePetrol (MHEV)20-40k mi21£34,99027,544£61,56543.2%–
Volvo XC60 B5 UltimatePetrol (MHEV)all mileages31£34,99027,544£61,56543.2%–
Tesla Model Y RWDElectricall mileages36£25,50033,981£44,99043.3%–
Audi Q5 45 TFSI quattro S line (petrol)Petrol20-40k mi11£28,59829,399£50,49043.4%–
Range Rover Evoque P250 R-Dynamic SEPetrol (MHEV)20-40k mi2£27,17527,785£48,98244.5%–
Range Rover Evoque P250 R-Dynamic SEPetrol (MHEV)all mileages2£27,17527,785£48,98244.5%–
Polestar 2 Long Range Single Motor RWD 82kWh 220kW (MY24)Electric20-40k mi1£25,79023,814£48,95047.3%–
Polestar 2 Long Range Single Motor RWD 82kWh 220kW (MY24)Electricall mileages9£25,79019,470£48,95047.3%–
Kia EV6 77.4kWh GT-Line S RWD (drive inferred from WLTP range)Electricall mileages10£26,54323,769£52,74549.7%–
Kia EV6 77.4kWh GT-Line S AWD (drive inferred from WLTP range)Electricall mileages11£27,79524,246£56,24550.6%–
Polestar 2 Long Range Single Motor FWD 78kWh 170kW (MY23)Electric20-40k mi6£22,94434,706£46,45050.6%–
Audi Q4 e-tron 40 S lineElectricall mileages23£26,19927,602£53,18050.7%–
Kia EV6 77.4kWh GT-Line S AWD (drive inferred from WLTP range)Electric20-40k mi7£27,75029,576£56,24550.7%–
Kia EV6 77.4kWh GT-Line S RWD (drive inferred from WLTP range)Electric20-40k mi6£25,99527,938£52,74550.7%–
BMW iX3 M Sport ProElectricall mileages55£32,89527,815£67,16551.0%–
Polestar 2 Long Range Single Motor FWD 78kWh 170kW (MY23)Electricall mileages18£22,64439,606£46,45051.2%–
Audi Q4 e-tron 40 S lineElectric20-40k mi11£25,90027,664£53,18051.3%–
BMW iX3 M Sport ProElectric20-40k mi31£32,38028,716£67,16551.8%–
Hyundai Ioniq 5 77kWh Ultimate RWDElectricall mileages5£23,99516,300£49,94552.0%–
Volvo XC40 Recharge Twin Motor PlusElectricall mileages6£26,91822,038£57,80553.4%–
Mercedes EQB EQB 350 4MATIC AMG LineElectric20-40k mi1£26,30020,531£56,81053.7%–
Mercedes EQB EQB 350 4MATIC AMG LineElectricall mileages1£26,30020,531£56,81053.7%–
Volvo XC40 Recharge Single Motor UltimateElectric20-40k mi8£25,99427,767£56,60554.1%–
Volvo XC40 Recharge Single Motor UltimateElectricall mileages11£26,00028,992£56,60554.1%–
Volvo XC40 Recharge Twin Motor PlusElectric20-40k mi2£26,41227,038£57,80554.3%–
Hyundai Ioniq 5 77kWh Ultimate RWDElectric20-40k mi2£22,79224,383£49,94554.4%–
Mercedes EQB EQB 300 4MATIC AMG LineElectricall mileages4£25,14922,078£55,31054.5%–
BMW iX3 M SportElectric20-40k mi13£28,99532,998£64,16554.8%–
BMW iX3 M SportElectricall mileages22£28,99532,360£64,16554.8%–
Volvo XC40 Recharge Twin Motor UltimateElectric20-40k mi16£27,95028,954£61,85554.8%–
Volvo XC40 Recharge Twin Motor UltimateElectricall mileages24£27,95026,388£61,85554.8%–
Mercedes EQB EQB 350 4MATIC AMG Line Premium PlusElectric20-40k mi1£28,29929,904£62,81054.9%–
Mercedes EQB EQB 350 4MATIC AMG Line Premium PlusElectricall mileages1£28,29929,904£62,81054.9%–
Mercedes EQB 300/350 4MATIC (all AMG Line trims combined)Electricall mileages (per-car % vs own trim price)10£26,00029,749£55310-62810 (per car)55.8%–
Mercedes EQB EQB 300 4MATIC AMG Line PremiumElectric20-40k mi1£25,29929,781£58,31056.6%–
Mercedes EQB EQB 300 4MATIC AMG Line PremiumElectricall mileages1£25,29929,781£58,31056.6%–
Mercedes EQB EQB 300 4MATIC AMG LineElectric20-40k mi1£23,79929,717£55,31057.0%–
Mercedes EQB EQB 350 4MATIC AMG Line PremiumElectricall mileages3£25,69934,074£59,81057.0%–
Mercedes EQB EQB 350 4MATIC AMG Line PremiumElectric20-40k mi2£25,14036,240£59,81058.0%–

Download all 835 listings (CSV)

One row per car: model, trim, fuel, registration date, mileage, asking price, 2023 list price where matched, dealer, listing URL and date collected.

List-price sources

Why the year you pick matters

Depreciation figures depend heavily on which years are compared. As the posts point out, 2022 new-car prices were pushed up by Covid-era supply chain problems, and Tesla then cut its new prices in 2023. A car bought new at a 2022 price is being compared against used values that were reset by those cuts, which makes the drop look bigger than a like-for-like comparison from a later year would. Data also differs by market; these posts look at the UK.

For how to run a fair comparison yourself, read How to compare depreciation fairly.

Separate earlier post: 15 May 2026

This is an earlier, separate comparison posted by @TeslaFB13 on 15 May 2026, using different figures and method from the dataset above. It is shown as posted and is not part of the 2 Nov 2026 dataset.

15 May 2026 post: average value lost after 3 years (UK)Source post, 15 May 2026
BMW X4
30%
Model Y
34%
Toyota RAV4
40%
BMW i4
41%
Audi Q5
43%
Audi Q4 e-tron
48%

Method as described in the post: new price compared with the same spec 3 years old, similar mileage and trim, using the manufacturers' own used-car website data.

What the posts said

Exact text of every depreciation post found, oldest first. Some were replies in conversations; @mentions are removed.

2022 (used in the article's data) is not a great year to use for this data as supply chains were disrupted and it caused a spike in new car prices.

Tesla then cut their prices in 2023 which contributed significantly to the depreciation. Other brand didn't do similar price cuts as Tesla did as Tesla moved to proper mass production around tha time.

I suggest reviewing a bit more recent data.

The data will be different for every market. I look at UK only usually.

@TeslaFB13, 19 Mar 2026 · View on X

Again, you are spreading disinformation.

Toyota RAV4, Audi Q5 (as examples of similar size/priced cars to the Model Y) depreciate faster than the Model Y. Teslas depreciate slower than other EVs.

@TeslaFB13, 15 May 2026 · View on X

I live in the UK, same as you, I believe.

A 3 year-old Model Y depreciates on average 34%.

Audi Q4 e-tron 48%
BMW i4 41%
Audi Q5 43%
Toyota RAV4 40%
BMW X4 30%

Compared new vs same spec 3-year old with similar mileage and trim levels from manufacturers' own website used car data.

@TeslaFB13, 15 May 2026 · View on X

You said in two years. I can believe 50k to 22k in 4 years.

2022 was a bad year to buy a car due to the covid related supply chain issues. You said you work in the industry so I am sure you are aware of this.

@TeslaFB13, 15 May 2026 · View on X

The comparison figures are @TeslaFB13's own calculations and have not been independently audited by this site. Spotted an error? Reply on X and it'll be corrected.