What is the resale value of a Chinese EV after 3 years?
Updated 2026-05-046 min read
Depreciation was the great unknown for Chinese EVs. Three years of registration data lets us answer it properly for the first time.
01
3-year residual data (Q1 2026)
- BYD Atto 3: 56–60% (UK, EU average)
- BYD Seal: 58–62% (early data, low-volume)
- MG4: 50–55%
- MG ZS EV: 45–52% (older gen, larger drop)
- GWM Ora Funky Cat: 48–54%
- Tesla Model Y (comparison): 48–54%
- Kia EV6 (comparison): 60–64%
02
What drags depreciation down
Rapid model updates: Chinese OEMs refresh every 12–18 months. A 2023 Atto 3 pre-facelift is meaningfully behind a 2025 facelift, and the used market prices that in.
Parts network confidence: markets with strong BYD/MG dealer presence hold value better.
03
What holds depreciation up
Blade battery / LFP chemistry — buyers now understand LFP outlives NCM.
8-year battery warranty transferring to second owner.
V2L / bidirectional features finding new buyer categories.
Key takeaways
- 01Roughly on par with European EVs.
- 02LFP + warranty transfer holds value up.
- 03Facelift cadence is the main depreciation risk.
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