EvrenKalinbacak/Bigstock.com

Few things fill one with such glee as taking receipt of a brand spanking new motor: four perfectly formed rubber tyres, that new upholstery smell - and a bill that could have got you a deposit on a small house.

But at least you can sell it for a decent sum later on, right? Well, that depends on if you buy a stinker or not. Some cars deprecate faster than others and in this list we reveal ten of the worst ones, based on CAP data.

On a side note, we haven’t included electric cars, since they would dominate the list and don’t yet constitute a regular road car.


10. Maserati Quatroporte V8 GTS

 
Steve Lagreca/Bigstock.com

Cost to buy new: £108,805

Value at 3yrs/ 36k miles: £30,325

Value retained: 28%

Cash lost: £78,480 (£26,160 per year)


It may be fast and luxurious with tremendous handling, but it will lose £26k of value each and every year after purchase.


9. Renault Scenic 1.2 TCE 130 Dynamique Nav 5dr

 
Maksim Toome/Bigstock.com

Cost to buy new: £20,720

Value at 3yrs/ 36k miles: £5,875

Value retained: 28%

Cash lost: £14,845


Despite being a pioneer in the diminutive people carrier segment, the Renault Scenic loses value much faster than key rivals such as the Ford C-Max and Citroen C4 Picasso.


8. Fiat Punto 1.2 Easy+ 5dr

 
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Cost to buy new: £12,635

Value at 3yrs/ 36k miles: £3,600

Value retained: 28%

Cash lost: £9,035

The Punto was once a big seller, but it hasn’t really been upgraded much since 2005 – arguably contributing to its lack of cache.


7. Volvo S80 D4 SE Lux Geartronic

 
iStock.com/edaldridge

Cost to buy new: £34,515

Value at 3yrs/ 36k miles: £9,700

Value retained: 27%

Cash lost: £25,715

Back in 2006 the S80 was a superb car, but today the competition is getting rather stiff, contributing to a value retention of just 27 per cent after three years.


6. Hyundai Genesis saloon 3.8 GDi V6 DCT

 
iStock.com/edaldridge

Cost to buy new: £49,520

Value at 3yrs/ 36k miles: £12,675

Value retained: 26%

Cash lost: £36,845


Aimed at the BMW 5-Series and Mercedes-Benz E-Class niche, the Genesis had high hopes. Sadly, its £50k price tag and lack of brand kudos ensured sales remained modest in the extreme. A 74% value loss over three years. Ouch.


5. Vauxhall Meriva 1.6 CDTi 16V ecoFLEX Exclusiv


 Rqs/Bigstock.com

Cost to buy new: £20,825

Value at 3yrs/ 36k miles: £5,300

Value retained: 25%

Cash lost: £15,525

Not a bad attempt at an MPV by Vauxhall, but those back doors were always a security risk. And while the value of most Vauxhalls disappear faster than the green ones in a tin of Quality Street at Christmas, the Meriva’s 75% value loss over 36 months is something else.


4. Fiat Qubo 1.3 Multijet 80 Active


iStock.com/DarthArt

Cost to buy new: £14,145

Value at 3yrs/ 36k miles: £3,600

Value retained: 25%

Cash lost: £10,545

Not one of Fiat’s most stylish offerings, the workman-like Qubo delivers utilitarianism in bucket loads - and value retention in bucket loads too (buckets with big holes in them).


3. Citroen C5 2.0 BlueHDi 16V VTR


eans/Bigstock.com

Cost to buy new: £24,095

Value at 3yrs/ 36k miles: £5,850

Value retained: 24%

Cash lost: £18,245

The C5 is a refined highway cruiser, but that doesn’t stop it from being a little dull, a fact that depresses its value as soon as the dealer waves you off the forecourt.


2. Renault Megane Sport Tourer 1.2 TCE GT Line Nav


EvrenKalinbacak/Bigstock.com

Cost to buy new: £21,015

Value at 3yrs/ 36k miles: £4,925

Value retained: 23%

Cash lost: £16,090


Looks rather good, but the same can’t be said for its resale value. 77% lost after three years.


1. MG6 Magnette saloon 1.8T


iStock.com/nuttapong

Cost to buy new: £18,610

Value at 3yrs/ 36k miles: £3,825

Value retained: 21%

Cash lost: £14,785

Despite being called the Magnette, used car buyers are far from magnetised to this uninspiring Chinese/UK co-production. 79% lost over three years – although on a plus note, the marque did come third in the ‘Best Manufacturer’ category in the Auto Express 2014 Driver Power survey.