Key Takeaways
- Car depreciation is the natural decline in value as a vehicle ages and accumulates miles.
- New cars lose value fastest, often dropping 15% or more the moment you drive them off the lot.
- Buying used slows the depreciation curve since the steepest drop has already happened.
- Certified pre-owned vehicles depreciate faster than used cars but come with warranty advantages.
- Choosing between new, CPO, and used depends on your priorities: warranty, tech, or lower depreciation.