Not all cars age like fine wine. Some lose their value faster than you can say “trade-in.” Whether due to bad engineering, market mismatch, or just plain bad luck, these five cars experienced the steepest declines in value — and here’s why.
1. Nissan Leaf (1st Gen, 2011–2017)
- Original MSRP: ~$35,000
- Current Value: ~$5,000 or less
- Depreciation: ~85%
Why It Tanked:
While groundbreaking as an affordable EV, the first-gen Leaf had limited range (under 100 miles in early models), and battery degradation over time turned off used buyers. As newer EVs with better range flooded the market, the Leaf quickly lost its edge — and its resale value.
2. Cadillac ELR (2014–2016)
- Original MSRP: ~$75,000
- Current Value: ~$15,000
- Depreciation: ~80%
Why It Tanked:
A luxury hybrid coupe that looked premium but was built on the same platform as the Chevy Volt — for double the price. Performance didn’t match the price tag, and the market had no idea who it was for. Production ended quickly, and values collapsed just as fast.
3. Fiat 500L (2014–2020)
- Original MSRP: ~$22,000
- Current Value: ~$4,000
- Depreciation: ~80%
Why It Tanked:
Reliability issues, awkward styling, and poor driving dynamics sealed the 500L’s fate in the U.S. A confusing segment position (too big to be cute, too small to be practical) made it a slow seller — and a heavy depreciator.
4. Jaguar XJ (2010–2019)
- Original MSRP: ~$75,000
- Current Value (2015 model): ~$18,000
- Depreciation: ~76%
Why It Tanked:
While stylish and smooth, the XJ suffered from a lack of brand trust in reliability, especially in the U.S. The luxury sedan market was shrinking, and the Jaguar name just couldn’t command the resale value of German rivals.
5. BMW 7 Series (Various Years)
- Original MSRP: ~$85,000–$100,000
- 5-Year Resale Value: Often under $25,000
- Depreciation: ~70–75%
Why It Tanks:
BMW’s flagship luxury sedan is packed with high-tech features — many of which age poorly and are expensive to repair. When lease returns flood the market, used prices drop hard. Great car, terrible value retention.