A recent study from analytics company iSeeCars found that a few specific car models depreciated more than 50 percent over a five-year period. The BMW 7 Series, for example, had a depreciation rate of 56.9 percent and lost an average of $61,923 in value during that time.

iSeeCars' research showed that midsize trucks, sports cars, and fuel-efficient vehicles held their value the best over five years. In contrast, luxury brands depreciated much faster. As iSeeCars' Executive Analyst Karl Brauer explained, used buyers don't value high-end vehicles' features as much as the first owners, so resale values tend to be softer. The tech and options that made the cars so expensive and appealing new don't add the same value on the used market.

The vehicles with the highest depreciation - or worst resale value - over five years:

  1. BMW 7 Series: -56.9% 
  2. Maserati Ghibli: -56.3% 
  3. Jaguar XF: -54% 
  4. Infiniti QX80: -52.6% 
  5. Cadillac Escalade ESV: 
  6. 52.3% Mercedes-Benz S-Class: 51.9% 
  7. Lincoln Navigator: -51.9% 
  8. Audi A6: -51.5% 
  9. Volvo S90: -51.4% 
  10. Ford Expedition: -50.7%

As iSeeCars notes, when car shopping it is important to be objective and not let emotions guide your purchase. A luxury car may look great in the showroom, but you could end up taking a loss when selling it a few years later.

Source: iSeeCars