Most of the decline happens early. Whoever owns it during that period absorbs the loss. A new purchase includes the steepest segment. The advantages are not imaginary. Full warranty, no history to investigate, specification chosen rather than accepted. Certain situations justify it. Buying a car a few years old avoids the steepest part. Value per unit spent improves substantially. History has to be investigated rather than assumed. Demonstrators, short leases and
engine size early sales. Much of the initial decline has happened and much of the warranty remains. Choice is narrower. The oldest end works differently. Little further decline occurs. Running expense replaces value loss. Which suits somebody able to do work themselves. Without that, the savings evaporate. The condition of a
specific car outweighs its position on the curve. What the paperwork shows. The record has real value. What is unknown tends to cost money later. Anyone satisfied with what they paid generally bought a few years old rather than new.