Dacia residuals prove to be far better than competition

• Sandero Access, “UK’s most affordable new car” forecast to lose only £3,615 over three years/60,000 miles
• Low depreciation on top-of-the-range Sandero Laureate over three years/60,000 miles means owners could be nearly £4,000 better off than running pricier rivals like Skoda Fabia and Suzuki Swift
• New figures shatter any illusion that the UK’s “most affordable” new supermini range might not stack up financially in the future

But, a “shockingly affordable” price tag is one thing, the question on many people's’ lips recently has been how much one’ll be worth in a few years time. Well, now we have the answer.

In yet another blow to its rivals, but a boost to those who've already taken the Dacia supermini ownership plunge, leading residual value provider, CAP, has confirmed that over a three year period and 60,000 miles the Access 1.2 16V will only lose £3,615 of its smart-buy retail price of £5,995. Even the top-sec Laureate with the same engine only loses a further £1,400, making it thousands of pounds less than its rivals to boot.

The new figures make the idea of owning one even more appealing than it was already. And they shatter any illusion that one of the newest superminis on the block might not stack up financially after the shine of its alluring showroom price tag has faded.

Smart-buy choice over rivals

Sandero prides itself on big car features and technology, with small car prices. Its attractive design does not detract from its practical personality, with ample space for five adults and plenty of boot space. It’s also the UK’s most affordable new diesel car.

The 1.2 Laureate, is forecast to be worth an impressive 36% after three years - a stonking 6% more than Skoda’s Fabia 1.2 12V SE , and a whopping 8% more than a Suzuki Swift SZ3 1.2.

Put it another way, the Swift has a P11D value of £12,444, but is forecast to lose £8,919 over three years/60,000 miles. If you bought the Dacia Sandero 1.2 Laureate instead, you'd be better off to the tune of almost £4,000 after three years. That’s easily enough cash left over to treat the loved ones to a sun-drenched fortnight in Spain. Including Dacia car hire while you're out there. Or, a healthy chunk of cash to put towards a new Sandero. Who knows, owners might be so impressed with their Dacia supermini that they'll want to add another model from the range to their household.

Glass’s Guide is even more bullish. They believe it'll hold onto a jaw-dropping 57% of its value over the same period. In real money, it'll still be worth £4,470. A drop of only £2,370, less than plenty of all-inclusive family holidays to the Med.

The latest good news for Europe’s fastest-growing car brand comes only weeks after it launched its latest two models, Sandero Stepway and the five-seat estate, Logan MCV across the UK. Duster has already received a glowing endorsement from CAP and, with over 4,000 orders already this year, is taking the nation by storm too. The rest of the range now looks set to follow.

Commenting on the latest “good news”, Dacia UK Marketing Director, Phil York, said: “It’s only a few months since the Dacia Duster SUV got a glowing endorsement from the people who forecast future used car values, yet already we’re celebrating the same for the second car in the range.

“We always knew that a cracking entry price of only £5,995 would get Brits through the showroom door in their droves. This latest news now makes the deal for arguably one of the best value superminis even sweeter. If we carry on like this, we might have to call the factory to up the production for the UK.”

Testament to the quality

British popularity of Dacia, a subsidiary of the French carmaker Renault, is continuing to grow impressively, with the brand recently hitting 11,000 orders overall. It’s made an enemy of the unnecessary and makes a simple range of cleverly designed, high quality vehicles which unashamedly favour function over frivolity. Its jaw-dropping prices are clear and straightforward, whether you buy online at the Dacia Store on www.dacia.co.uk or through its nationwide retailer network.

Dacia only launched officially in the UK in January 2013, but has already cleaned up nine major awards, including a hat-trick of trophies at the carbuyer.co.uk 2013 awards, including Car of Year and 4x4 of the Year, plus Scottish Car of the Year for Duster, and Best Supermini under £12,000 for Sandero with What Car?.