15 Reliable Cars with High Resale Value in Australia

While depreciation takes quite a significant toll over the first few years, a reliable hatchback, sedan, SUV or ute more often than not makes the depreciation curve flatten out after the first, inevitable drop.

This is because a vehicle’s reliability is factored into the price of a used car amongst a long list of other factors, but a reputation for trouble-free motoring is valuable for all buyers.

Greater reliability means less time and money spent at the mechanics, while fewer headaches down the line adds peace of mind for owners and helps to lessen the sting of depreciation over time.

With that in mind, let’s take a look at fifteen of the most reliable cars with high resale values currently on sale here in Australia.

What is Vehicle Depreciation?

Depreciation of a vehicle is the difference between what you’ve paid and the current value of your vehicle.

Depreciation can have a serious impact on a vehicle’s resale value the moment you drive off from the dealership - to the tune of 15 per cent, in fact.

Fast-forward another 12 months and your car might have lost an additional 15 per cent, totalling 30 per cent in the first year, though this isn’t always the case as some vehicles depreciate less than others - with reliability often playing a key role.

How to Calculate Vehicle Depreciation

Calculating a vehicle’s rate of depreciation is relatively simple - you subtract the current market rate for that specific vehicle from the price that you paid which gives you the price difference.

Then, simply divide the difference by the new car price and multiply by 100 = Depreciation %

• For example: $60,000 (new car price) - $45,000 (current market value) = $15,000 Difference

• $15,000 / $60,000 x 100 = 25% depreciation

15 Reliable Cars with the Highest Resale Value

Now that we’ve covered the mechanics behind depreciation and how reliability can have a sizable impact on resale values, it’s time to take a look at fifteen reliable cars with the highest resale values.

For this list, we’ve used various datasets, including used car sale listings, Redbook data and the latest Automotive Insights Report from AutoGrab.

We then compiled retained values with manufacturers that ranked highest in the latest J.D. Power Dependability Study to get a more accurate view of the highest resale values for reliable makes and models.

It’s worth noting that these average resale values are between a 2-4-year span and may be a little skewed in the wake of production slow-downs and component shortages.

Suzuki Jimny

• 24 - 48 Month Average Retained Value: 135.7%

Suzuki’s pint-sized 4x4 off-roader proves that good things really do come in small packages, especially when you consider both impressive resale values and Suzuki’s solid reputation for reliability.

Toyota Yaris Cross

• 24 - 48 Month Average Retained Value: 109.1%

With small SUVs all the rage these days, the Toyota Yaris Cross has impressed buyers with its style and efficiency, while rock-solid resale values and Toyota’s outstanding reliability chops make it a must-have on any compact SUV shortlist.

Toyota GR86

• 24 - 48 Month Average Retained Value: 108.1%

Toyota has reinvigorated its sports car lineup in recent years, with the GR86 playing a key role in both Toyota’s sporty aspirations and re-expanding its footprint in the sports car segment which, so far, has seen the sports coupe perform extremely well on both the reliability and resale front.

Kia Picanto

• 24 - 48 Month Average Retained Value: 106.8%

The Kia Picanto is a masterclass in no-frills motoring, with its fun-loving nature on the road backed by a long warranty program and capped-price servicing that has helped it perform strongly when it comes to resale values.

Toyota LandCruiser 300 Series

• 24 - 48 Month Average Retained Value: 106.5%

It should come as no surprise that with a fierce reputation for reliability and go-anywhere durability, the Toyota LandCruiser 300 Series is a prized 4x4 wagon with great resale values.

That said, resale values have been somewhat inflated as Toyota struggled to keep up with Australia’s vicious appetite for the ‘Cruiser range, which it is now well and truly catching up on.

Nissan Patrol

• 24 - 48 Month Average Retained Value: 99.9%

The Nissan Patrol is a tough and capable 4x4 wagon with an intoxicating V8 soundtrack that looks to have well and truly won buyers over here in Australia, with the Patrol reporting strong resale values over the course of 2-4 years.

Toyota Corolla

• 24 - 48 Month Average Retained Value: 97.1%

There’s every chance that you’ve either owned a Toyota Corolla, or you know more than a few people that have. The Corolla is top of the class for the small car segment, with impressive practicality and outstanding fuel-efficiency on offer that makes it prized on the used car market.

Toyota Camry

• 24 - 48 Month Average Retained Value: 96.7%

At one point in time, the Toyota Camry dominated sales in the medium car segment for 28 years in a row. With a huge legacy and reputation for smooth, comfortable and reliable motoring, the Camry is set to remain a staple in the used car segment that has continued to perform well in terms of resale values.

Suzuki Swift

• 24 - 48 Month Average Retained Value: 96.1%

The Suzuki Swift is a one-stop shop for affordable fun on four wheels, with its sporty handling, fuel-efficient engine and recent move to a hybrid-only engine lineup helping to cement its already-impressive resale values moving forward.

Ford Mustang

• 24 - 48 Month Average Retained Value: 95.8%

The Ford Mustang is one of the most iconic names in the motoring world, with the muscle car remaining a top choice for Aussies looking for a reasonably affordable performance machine backed by one of the biggest manufacturers in the world.

Toyota C-HR

• 24 - 48 Month Average Retained Value: 95.7%

Fresh off a makeover, the hybrid-only Toyota C-HR lineup is a great little SUV for Australian buyers looking to trim down their fuel bills. Combine that with Toyota’s reputation for reliability and there’s no wondering why the C-HR has reported strong resale values.

Hyundai Venue

• 24 - 48 Month Average Retained Value: 92.7%

The Hyundai Venue is the company’s no-frills compact SUV that provides excellent value for money and a particularly user-friendly behind the wheel. The company also ranks well when it comes to reliability, earning itself a spot on our list with solid resale values over two years.

Toyota LandCruiser Prado

• 24 - 48 Month Average Retained Value: 92.1%

The Prado is a go-to option for any adventurous Aussie family, with its tough platform and spacious interior proving a wonderful companion for a wide range of buyers. Combine that with Toyota’s strong reliability ranks and its go-anywhere abilities off-road and the LandCruiser Prado holds its value impressively down the line.

Mazda 2

• 24 - 48 Month Average Retained Value: 91.5%

The Mazda 2 is the smallest vehicle in the lineup, but it delivers when it comes to value. With a fuel-efficient engine, a choice of sedans and hatchbacks and lengthy equipment lists, the Mazda 2 doesn’t disappoint, especially when it comes to curbing depreciation down the line.

Honda Civic

• 24 - 48 Month Average Retained Value: 83.9%

Not too long ago, the Honda Civic was one of the best-selling vehicles here in Australia. By the look of things, the Civic’s refined nature on the road and Honda’s reliable designs means that it offers high resale values for those looking to sell their Civic.

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