Used convertible values: Volkswagen chases Ferrari for top spot

The residual values of used convertibles increased, month-on-month, by up to 5 per cent during May, as demand improved in response to prolonged spells of dry and sunny weather. Reporting on the seasonal uplift in values, EurotaxGlass’s has found that a number of volume-brand drop-tops retain a far greater proportion of their value than prestige-brand models from the likes of BMW, Lexus and Maserati (see table below). While the Ferrari F430 Spider holds onto its value better than any other 12-month-old convertible on sale in the UK (a typical ’06-plate example retaining 97 per cent of its original list price as a trade value), hot on its heels is the rather more humble Volkswagen Eos (at 94 per cent retained value in 2.0 TDI Sport guise).

“This analysis offers some stark examples of how changing patterns of supply and demand are challenging the market’s preconceptions of which cars hold their value best,” comments Jeff Paterson, Senior Car Editor at EurotaxGlass’s. “Few would expect convertibles such as the Vauxhall Astra Twin Top and Mitsubishi Colt Cabriolet to boast residual values stronger than those of a BMW Z4.”

Below the Volkswagen Eos, in joint third spot, are the Porsche Boxster S and Mercedes-Benz SLK55 AMG (87 per cent). Close behind in fifth place is the MINI Cooper S Convertible (85 per cent), whose mighty residual value performance is identical to that of two high-performance prestige models, the Audi RS4 Cabriolet, and the Jaguar XK Convertible.
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