The new MINI will hold on to its value better than any other mainstream car on sale in the UK, retaining 54% of its cost new after three years and 60,000 miles.

Information from Lex, the UK’s largest leasing company, shows that the MINI is the safest place for a fleet’s cash for the second year running. It heads a top 10 list which is dominated, unsurprisingly, by premium brands.

The data, gleaned from analysis of Lex’s 250,000-plus vehicle fleet, shows that Audi is the most coveted used car brand with three models in the top 10 – the TT in second, new A5 coupe in third and the A3 in seventh.

The list also includes three SUVs – Range Rover Sport, BMW X5 and Land Rover Freelander – illustrating that the green backlash against these sorts of vehicles has not hindered their appeal.

Steve Jones, Lex’s pricing manager, said: “Most used buyers aspire to the same credentials as a new car buyer – those of style, exclusivity and reliability – and that’s why this list is the way it is.

“Used buyers who can’t afford a new MINI or Audi TT may well be able to stretch to a used one in two or three years’ time so they will be in high demand.”

Top ten used cars

Car RV %
1 MINI 54
2 Audi TT 52
3 Audi A5 51
4 Range Rover Sport 50
5 Mercedes-Benz SLK 49
6 Mercedes-Benz C-Class 49
7 Audi A3 48
8 BMW X5 47
9 Volvo C30 47
10 Land Rover Freelander 47