We all know that there are many Japanese cars that appreciate in value (Nissan Figaro , Pao etc) and all Japanese Imports are better value than UK cars but what about the UK’s cars that depreciate the lease? Auto trader have compiled a list of the UK top 10 cars that loose the lease value after being driven off the forecourt

Audi A3 hatchbacks hold their value better than any other used , according to a study released today by Auto Trader.

The average price of an Audi A3 bought new in 2009 fell by just 7 per cent in the period to July 2010. Second place went to the Vauxhall Corsa, which dropped by 10 per cent.

The report analysed the top 10 best-selling cars in the UK in 2009 and compared their purchase price when new to the prices advertised on Auto Trader in July 2010.

Britain’s biggest selling car of 2009, the Ford Fiesta, ranks fifth, dropping by 26 per cent, while Ford Focus – voted by Auto Trader.co.uk readers as the car of the decade – dropped by 39 per cent.

The research shows used car values are not driven solely by the original price, with the Audi A3 and Vauxhall Vectra Life both costing for around £16,000 when new.

Nine of the top 10 cars in the list have lost less than half of their value over the period when cars shed more of their new price than at any other time

Top 10 used car price winners:
1. Audi A3 7 per cent
2. Vauxhall Corsa 10 per cent
3. Honda Jazz 18 per cent
4. Peugeot 207 20 per cent
5. Ford Fiesta 23 per cent
6. Volkswagen Golf 26 per cent
7. Vauxhall Insignia 34 per cent
8. Ford Focus 39 per cent
9. Vauxhall Astra 45 per cent
10. Vauxhall Vectra Life     54 per cent

.