5 Cars With Trade-In Values So Low That They're Not Worth Selling

Yahoo

11 hours ago

Trading in a car can seem like the easiest way to upgrade your ride, but for some models, the dealer's offer will feel like an insult.
In 2025, several vehicles are facing such steep depreciation and low demand that their trade-in values are shockingly low. Lauren Fix, automotive expert at Car Coach Reports, explained that high depreciation, oversupply and expensive maintenance are the main reasons these cars are so undervalued.
Find Out:
Read Next:
Dealers also factor in brand perception and the cost of reconditioning, which can slash offers even further. For many owners, the trade-in value might be lower than what they could get from a private sale or even scrapping the car.
Here are five cars with trade-in values so low that selling them to a dealer just does not make financial sense for most owners. Also consider these five cars are worth trading in for a newer model.
The Jaguar I-PACE, an electric SUV launched with high hopes, now leads the pack in five-year depreciation, losing about 72.2% of its value, according to iSeeCars. Originally priced around $75,000, a 2020 model in average condition might only fetch $20,000 to $25,000 as a trade-in. Fix said this is due to rapid electric vehicle (EV) depreciation and low demand for Jaguar's aging design.
Dealers hesitate to offer more because of high battery replacement costs and the brand's reputation for reliability issues. With a saturated used EV market and newer, more advanced electric models, the I-PACE's trade-in value is so low that owners should explore private sales or tax-deductible donations.
Trending Now:
The Maserati Levante, a luxury SUV, suffers from one of the highest depreciation rates in its class.
According to CarEdge, it lost about 74% of its value after five years. Dealers are wary of the Levante's expensive maintenance and repairs, as well as Maserati's spotty reliability record, which further depresses its resale value. Fix said a 2019 Levante with an MSRP of $80,000 may only sell for $25,000 to $30,000, especially if it has considerable miles.
For most owners, the trade-in offer will feel like a fraction of what the car once cost, making private sale, donation or keeping the car for personal use a smarter choice.
The Nissan Leaf, once a pioneer in the electric vehicle market, now faces rapid depreciation due to outdated battery technology and limited range. According to CarEdge, the Nissan Leaf will 'depreciate 62% after 5 years' and have a '5-year resale value of $13,308.'
The market for used Leafs is crowded, and dealers know that buyers prefer newer EVs with longer ranges, so they offer less to minimize their risk. For example, Fix said a 2020 model, initially $35,000, may only receive $10,000 to $12,000 in trade-in, a 60% loss in five years.
Owners may find that selling privately or donating the car for a tax deduction will yield better value than accepting a dealer's lowball offer.
The Chrysler 300, a full-size sedan once popular for its bold styling, now suffers from low demand and a poor resale reputation.
According to iSeeCars, a new Chrysler 300 depreciates 52.1% after five years, resulting in a typical resale value of $16,422. Fix said excessive mileage (over 100,000 miles) or accident history can further reduce trade-in bids by 10 to 20%, frequently below private sale or trash value.
Dealers are reluctant to pay more for a car that is difficult to resell, especially when factoring in reconditioning costs and the risk of sitting on unsold inventory. For many Chrysler 300 owners, trading in will not make sense financially, and exploring private sale options or keeping the car longer may be wiser.
Auto mechanic and JustAnswer expert Chris Pyle suggests keeping the car if you need a spare or sell it online or from your front yard, rather than going to the dealership.
According to Fix, Dodge Hornet was the slowest-selling new automobile, with a 299-day supply on dealer lots as of late 2024. She explains that an oversupply of slow-selling models, forces dealers to offer low trade-in values to clear lots. Moreover, CarEdge projects a Dodge Hornet will depreciate 65% after five years, with a three-year resale value of about $15,600, confirming the steep loss in value.
Recent trade-in offers on CarMax show 2023 Dodge Hornets ranging from $21,000 to $24,000 for low-mileage vehicles. This means for higher-mileage or less desirable trims, trade-in values of $12,000 to $14,000 for a three-year-old model are realistic. Owners looking to maximize value should consider selling privately, donating for a tax deduction or holding onto the car until market conditions improve.
Editor's note: Photos are for representational purposes only.
More From GOBankingRates
Mark Cuban Warns of 'Red Rural Recession' -- 4 States That Could Get Hit Hard
4 Housing Markets That Have Plummeted in Value Over the Past 5 Years
6 Hybrid Vehicles To Stay Away From in Retirement
This article originally appeared on GOBankingRates.com: 5 Cars With Trade-In Values So Low That They're Not Worth Selling