Mazda 3 wins used car plaudits

According to some industry experts, a new car can lose as much as a third of its value as soon as it is driven away from a dealership with depreciation certainly taking its toll on cash-strapped motorists. So it’s encouraging to see a new vehicle praised for holding its value.The all-new Mazda 3 MPS ‘super hatch’, a 2.3litre petrol model that generates 260ps and 380Nm of torque, has won plaudits from used car valuation experts CAP. CAP price forecasters have praised the model’s sporty styling and aggressive look and have increased its three-year, 60,000 miles forecast value by three percentage points.An initial blind prediction saw the vehicle, which has an on the road price tag of £21,500, given a valuation of £6,425 at the benchmark period. However, now its residual value has increased to £6,875.According to Jeff Knight, the forecast manager at CAP, the all-new Mazda 3 benefits from its styling and looks which are significant in the performance car bracket.“We initially valued the model on its track record in the sector,” he said. “However, after driving the car we have re-evaluated its secondhand value because we believe the improved sportiness will increase awareness of the Mazda Performance Series (MPS) brand and therefore the car’s appeal. It is definitely a vehicle that buyers looking for sports car performance should consider.”The all-news Mazda 3 MPS can race from 0-62mph in 6.1seconds and has impressive fuel economy figures at 29.4mpg on the combined fuel cycle. Its CO2 emission figures are 224g/km with reduced emissions meaning the new model qualifies for a lower annual Road Fund Licence.

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