Toyota cars hold value best in UAE used-car market, says dubizzle

Dubai: Toyota cars hold the greatest value retention among major brands sold in the UAE used-car market, according to fresh data from dubizzle Cars. The analysis examined 2021 to 2023 model-year vehicles and found Toyota retained 65 percent of its value, followed closely by Lexus and RAM, both at 61 percent. Nissan and Honda trailed slightly with 60 percent value retention.

The figures, based on like-for-like comparisons across make, model, trim, model year and GCC versus non-GCC specifications, were aggregated at the make level using listing-weighted averages and medians. Toyota's overall 65 percent retention figure was the highest among the brands analyzed. After the first year, Toyota retained 87 percent of its value, 75 percent after the second year and 65 percent after three years.

While the data does not imply that every model from these brands will retain value at the same rate, it does offer valuable insight for UAE buyers. Resale value is an important factor in the overall cost of owning a car, especially for motorists expecting to sell, trade in or upgrade after several years. Other costs such as financing, fuel consumption, and maintenance also affect the total cost of a vehicle.

Sherif Magdy, director of sales at dubizzle Cars, advised buyers to consider how a vehicle performs over the course of ownership, not just its initial purchase price. "Value retention is therefore an important part of that equation," Magdy noted. "Comparing similar vehicles across successive model years could give buyers another perspective when assessing longer-term value."