Do Volkswagens Hold Their Value? What To Know About Resale & Depreciation

in Car Costs and Prices
Volkswagen logo

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Volkswagen is a German manufacturer that’s made quite the dent in the car industry, offering classics like the Volkswagen Beetle to an awaiting audience. If you’re interested in a Volkswagen, it’s helpful to examine the price point of the car before buying. You might wonder - do Volkswagens hold their value?

The better a Volkswagen is at holding its value, the easier it will be to resell the car for a higher price point and pay less for repairs on serious components. It’s crucial to examine various factors surrounding the price point of the Volkswagen before buying one. Read on to learn more about the VW depreciation and other helpful information.

What Is The Depreciation Rate of a Volkswagen?

Do Volkswagens hold their value? One helpful item to consider when looking at how quickly VW loses its selling value is the depreciation rate. This number will reveal how many years it will take for an average Volkswagen to drop to a point where it’s hardly worth reselling it to another person. 

According to getjerry.com, the typical depreciation rate of a Volkswagen will go from 0% in the first few moments of owning a car to nearly 35% after the first seven. Half a decade in, the depreciation rate will be around 22.5%. That’s a decent chunk of longevity you’ll get from a standard Volkswagen.

On average, most VWs have a slower depreciation rate than other similar vehicles. They’re worth a thought if you’re set on getting a car with an excellent resale value - rather than one that only offers a few years of excellent numbers.


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How Much Will Volkswagens Resell For?

Volkswagens at the very front of their purchase will depreciate around 7.2% in their first year according to getjerry.com, 22.5% in the fifth, and 35% by the seventh. Thus, by the seventh year, you can expect your VW to resell for around 40% less than the original asking price. 

When it comes to car brands, Volkswagen is one of the best on the market. For example, in the crossover section, Volkswagen comes in fifth. It’s only behind the slightly better competitors of Subaru, Honda, Toyota, and Mazda. VW is worth consideration if you want a high resale value in your driveway. 


ARE VOLKSWAGENS RELIABLE?

Are you wondering, “are Volkswagens reliable?” We’ve got the scoop below. We’ll look at the brand and spotlight the best (and worst) that the brand has to offer to help you decide if they are the right choice.


What Is The Best Volkswagen To Purchase For Value Longevity?

If you want a shot at the most value when reselling your car, it’s ideal to invest in models of the Volkswagen that are known for having extensive lifespans. These are less likely to break down on you and will age far more slowly than their competition for your benefit.

Here are the best cars for resale from the Volkswagen manufacturer:

  • Beetle Convertible
  • Beetle
  • Golf GTI

These are tops of the line for their value.

These selections easily come on top for Volkswagen, holding to their value the best throughout a typical ownership. We recommend any of these, though it’s critical to note that you will only be able to find the Beetle in a used version since it stopped in production.

What Is The Worst Volkswagen To Purchase For Value Longevity?

As there are some excellent years for value longevity, there are also some that are less than ideal for those hoping to make a buck off of their car. These will depreciate much faster and will be a waste of money if you aren’t careful and don’t sell them quickly enough.

Here are the cars to keep away from on the market:

  • Volkswagen Atlas Cross Sport
  • Volkswagen Arteon
  • Volkswagen Passat
  • Volkswagen ID.4
  • Volkswagen e-Golf

These are the worst if you want to earn a solid amount.

Of course, there are reasons to invest in these cars - but if you’re someone who cares about how well vehicles can hold their value, we don’t recommend these. The worst, the e-Golf, will only hold a 41.8% value after five years.


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When Should You Sell Your Volkswagen To Get the Best Value?

If you want to sell your Volkswagen to get the best value, it’s crucial to time the selling right. You want to pick a year that’s an excellent balance between depreciation and price point to get the most out of your driving experience on the road and put the maximum amount of money in your pocket.

If you want to make the most money off your VW, we recommend selling it between 3-5 years of ownership. While it will last for much longer than 3-5 years, the value will continue to drop much faster after half a decade until it’s nearly impossible to sell it for a higher price. 

Volkswagen Vs. Toyota Longevity

Do Volkswagens hold their value? When considering this question, it’s helpful to look at the longevity you’ll find in some of its greatest competitors. For Volkswagen, one manufacturer stands out more than the others in their path - Toyota.

Overall, Toyota is more reliable and durable than VW and thus will hold their value for longer. However, if you have a VW, we recommend using trackers (like the tool above) to see where the current value lies for the brand.

Final Thoughts

Do Volkswagens hold their value? Those who own a VW will be happy to learn that a Volkswagen typically retains its value much better than other competitors. Although it’s beaten by brands like Toyota, it still puts up an excellent fight.

We hope this information comes in handy! The more you know about how well a car will hold its value, the easier it will be to decide if a specific manufacturer is ideal.



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