In a new study, automotive research firm iSeeCars.com found that while just 1.5% of buyers resell their new cars within the first year of ownership, popular luxury models from BMW and Mercedes-Benz are given up at a much higher rate.
iSeeCars.com analyzed more than 24 million individual new car sales and counted how many of those new cars were reselling as used within the first year. Eleven models in particular saw at least twice the rate of resale of the average car.
New Cars Resold As Used Within the First Year of Ownership
| Rank | Model | % Resold As Used Within the First Year |
| 1 | BMW 3 Series | 8.0% |
| 2 | BMW 5 Series | 7.1% |
| 3 | Mercedes C-Class | 6.1% |
| 4 | Nissan Versa Note | 4.0% |
| 5 | Dodge Dart | 3.9% |
| 6 | BMW X3 | 3.9% |
| 7 | BMW 4 Series | 3.9% |
| 8 | Mercedes E-Class | 3.9% |
| 9 | Chrysler 200 | 3.8% |
| 10 | Subaru WRX | 3.3% |
| 11 | Nissan Versa | 3.2% |
| Average for all cars | 1.5% |
Six of the 11 models are from luxury German automakers BMW and Mercedes-Benz, with BMW claiming the top two spots, as well as sixth and seventh place. The top three models--BMW 3 Series, BMW 5 Series, and Mercedes-Benz C-Class--are all re-sold at rates that are quadruple the average of all models.
"While some might be surprised that these luxury brands top the list, these auto manufacturers offer their dealers incentives to buy new cars to use as loaner vehicles, which are then sold as used when they are still under a year old," explained Phong Ly, CEO of iSeeCars.com. "This is a marketing strategy with a two-fold purpose. It puts brand-new models in the hands of current owners when they bring their cars in for service, increasing the likelihood that they will buy another car from that brand. In addition, it essentially increases the brand's new car sales, which help to give them the ability to claim the title of 'top luxury brand', something that BMW and Mercedes-Benz compete for every year."
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