A popular electric car owned by thousands of motorists in the UK is one of the worst vehicles for depreciation on the market, according to new analysis. Nissan Leaf models “plummet in value” just years after leaving forecourts with owners at risk of losing more than £20,000.
According to research from CarBuyer, the Nissan Leaf tops their list of “fastest depreciating cars on sale today”. The Leaf was launched back in 2013 and is one of the more affordable options around, making it an ideal choice for those dabbling in electric vehicles for the first time. However, CarBuyer claims the EV retains just 26.7% of its market value three years after it is first registered.
They claimed that the average price of a new Nissan Leaf is around £29,290, making it still a considerable investment.
However, the model is likely to be worth just £7,900 at second-hand car dealers and online marketplaces just 36 months later.
According to How Rare is My Car, there are estimated to be 41,702 Issan Leaf models with a valid MOT test on UK roads.
It means that thousands of owners could be left heartbroken when they realise they are likely to lose out on their initial investment.
CarBuyer explained: “The second-generation car arrived in 2017 and was a huge improvement in every area, offering a bigger battery, a better interior and more performance.
“But that was eight years ago, and the Leaf feels thoroughly outdated in today’s world of 300 and 400-mile EVs. It’s no longer available to order from the factory, but there are still a few new examples hanging around on dealership forecourts.
“Most have been heavily discounted, but even so, they still look quite pricey compared to today’s affordable EVs, costing around £30,000. That’s a lot for an eight-year-old EV, which explains the plummet in value after just three years.”
The standard Nissan Leaf is fitted with a 40 kWh battery that is capable of hitting an estimated range of 168 miles.
The model can accelerate from 0 to 60 mph in just 6.7 seconds while boasting a top speed of 89 mph.
CarBuyer experts praised the car for having an improved driving range and being good value for money.
However, they stressed the car tends to suffer from having cheap plastics, a slightly firm ride and less distinctive looks.
