THE first residual value predictions for the new Volkswagen Passat puts it streets ahead of its mainstream rivals and on a par with BMW.

Figures from CAP Monitor for first return vehicles - those which will return to the market three years after the car's first six month sales period - predict the Passat will be worth 46% of its on-the-road price (except vehicle excise duty) for all models bar the V6 Syncro, which achieves 45%. This is over 10% better than competitors such as the Ford Mondeo, Vauxhall Vectra, Peugeot 406 and Renault Laguna.

Taking the Passat 1.6 S as an example, the car will be worth 46% of its new price after three years and 60,000 miles according to CAP, compared to 33% for the Vauxhall Vectra 1.6 LS, yet the Passat costs just £60 more. The equivalent figure for the Mondeo 1.6 LX is 31%, for the Peugeot 406 1.8LX 32%, and for the Renault Laguna 1.8 RT 34%.