Which Mercedes Have The Best (and Worst) Resale Values?

For decades, Mercedes has been one of the most recognizable luxury brands, and it’s difficult to find a manufacturer offering a wider variety of models. From small sedans and compact SUVs to luxury limousines and V8 off-roaders, there’s something for everyone. But they aren’t always affordable, and like any expensive vehicle, you can lose a lot of money when your brand-new Mercedes starts to depreciate.

But how much does that depreciation matter? With a model range this varied, we wanted to find out what Mercedes cars hold their value well and keep resale values high. At the same time, if you’re looking for a preowned Mercedes, are there any bargains out there, with cars losing a lot of value?

In the article below we’ve covered both these questions and looked through every current Mercedes to find the best and worst resale values. Let’s get started!

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What is Resale Value?

When we talk about resale values in the automotive world, we are looking at how much money has been lost since the car was new. Also called depreciation, on average, a car will lose 30-40% of its value in the first three years. 

For example, if you bought a brand new car for $50,000, in three years time that car should be worth around $32,000, as a rough guide. After the first three years, the depreciation slows down, and other factors play a role, such as the condition of the car and mileage.

That 30-40% rate is an average, though, and in most cases, the more expensive the vehicle, the more it will depreciate in those first three years. This is down to a variety of factors; maintenance costs are higher on luxury models, and people are willing to pay for the next best thing, so they don’t want a used car.

Mercedes models are usually found in the ‘high depreciation’ category of the auto market. They are expensive to buy, brand new, and expensive to maintain, and with plenty of technology, the new models are often a major upgrade.

Remember – these resale values below are the costs to buy a 2020 Mercedes. With site fees and markups, if you are looking to sell your Mercedes, the value may be lower than the numbers below.

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Mercedes Models With The Best Resale Values

To begin, let’s look at the models in the current Mercedes range with the best resale values. These are the cars and SUVs that hold their value well, and after three years, their depreciation rates are fairly low. There will be some new Mercedes models that don’t appear on this list, as they haven’t been on sale long enough to check their true depreciation rates.

To compare models, I’m using a 2020 preowned model with around 30,000 miles against the cost of a new Mercedes. I’ve collected data from Mercedes Benz Approved Used, Autotrader, Edmunds, and Carmax to find a range of used model costs.

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C-Class 300

• New Model Cost: $44,850 – $65,500
• 2020 Used Model Cost: $33,500 – $37,000
• Resale Value: 65% (average after three years)

First on our list is the entry-level C-Class, the C300. One of the most popular Mercedes cars, the C-Class, has been around for decades, and the current generation is a great premium sedan. With 255 bhp you’re also getting a car that’s not short on performance, even if it is the least powerful C-Class.

With a starting price of just under $45,000, the C300 is slightly higher than its main rivals; the BMW 330i and the Audi A4. This isn’t a surprise, though, as Mercedes cars always carry a premium against their German rivals. That premium gets even wider when you add options, and you can reach an incredible $65,000 for a fully kitted-out C300.

When you compare these numbers to a preowned 2020 C300, lower-spec models definitely hold their value better. Overall though, with an average deprecation of 35% after 3 years, this sedan holds its value well.

If you’re considering a preowned C300 against a new model, it’s important to know the differences. The main change is the infotainment setup, with a new portrait ‘tablet’ as your central touchscreen. It’s a major step up from the previous generation, so if you want the best tech in your car, the new C300 is the choice for you.

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GLA 250 SUV

• New Model Cost: $37,500 – $58,000
• 2020 Used Model Cost: $27,000 – $32,000
• Resale Value: 67% (average after three years)

Our second Mercedes Benz is very different from the C300 – we have the GLA 250. Mercedes list this car as their entry-level SUV, but in reality, this is a crossover. Compared to other Mercedes SUVs, you could call the GLA a ‘basic’ model, but it’s still got enough features to cost you upwards of $40,000 new.

As the entry-level GLA, the 250 model is there for anyone needing a practical car on school runs or commuting. It’s not flashy, and with 221 bhp, it’s lacking performance, but you can keep costs down if you avoid expensive options. With almost $20,000 worth of optional extras available, high-spec GLA models can get incredibly expensive.

With preowned models, it’s no surprise that expensive GLA examples suffer the most depreciation. A basic 2020 GLA will only lose $10,000 in the first three years, but on average, a fully specced GLA will lose $25,000 over the same period.

On the outside, 2020 models still look similar to a brand new GLA, but the interior has seen major changes. If you’re after the best tech from Mercedes, then you’ll want a GLA from 2022 or younger and one with the Premium pack. If you’re only looking for a practical, premium crossover, though, an older GLA will be just as good.

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A220

• New Model Cost: $34,000 – $47,000
• 2020 Used Model Cost: $27,500 – $33,500
• Resale Value: 74% (average after three years)

Our next Mercedes is the cheapest model in their current range, the A-Class 220. The A-Class is Mercedes’ entry-level sedan, starting at just under $34,000 and rising to almost $50,000. So how does this car compare to the C300 we saw earlier?

The main draw of the A220 is the compact styling. This is a perfect city car, and for anyone put off by the larger C-Class, this is an excellent alternative. You lose some of that full-size practicality, but if you don’t need all that rear passenger space, the A-Class should be fine.

Like the other models, the options are extensive on the A220, including a $2,700 AMG line pack (with various visual upgrades) and the standard Mercedes Driving and Parking Assistance packs. As with the GLA, fully specced A220 models see the most depreciation in the first three years, but resale values are still strong.

On average, an A220 will lose 26% of its value in the first three years, which makes this a great car to buy if you’re thinking long-term. This is even more impressive considering the level of competition out there, with models like the Audi A3 and BMW 2 Series.

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G 63 AMG

• New Model Cost: $179,000 – 214,000
• 2020 Used Model Cost: $160,000 – $200,000
• Resale Value: 89% (average after three years)

The first place, and probably a surprise to most, is the G63. As the flagship G-Class, this is easily one of the most iconic Mercedes models ever sold, and the latest version of this SUV caught us by surprise when researching this article.

With a starting price of $179,000 and high-spec models rising to well above $200,000, the G63 is unlike the models we’ve already seen on this list. This is a no-expense-spared, capable, and ridiculously powerful SUV – so why does it hold its value so well?

The main reason is demand vs supply. Even with the incredible starting price, the G63 has always been in high demand, and when owners want to avoid waiting months for a new model, they will happily pay for a preowned one.

We expect to see preowned values start to drop soon, as the supply catches up to demand. Mercedes are working hard to produce more models, but at the moment you’ll struggle to find preowned G63 models for less than $150,000.

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Worst

Next up, let’s compare the worst depreciation rates for current Mercedes models, starting with…

SL 63 AMG

• New Model Cost: $178,000 – $214,500
• 2020 Used Model Cost: $104,000 – $115,000
• Resale Value: 56% (average after three years)

First up on our shortlist of Mercedes’ with the worst resale percentages is the SL 63. This is the most expensive and powerful version of their luxury convertible, and with a starting price of $178,000, this model doesn’t come cheap.

With that huge price tag, and as a convertible, depreciation will always be a factor. Traditionally expensive convertibles (from almost any brand) lose a lot over the first few years, and with 44% deprecation, the SL 63 is no different.

The new SL 63 comes with an impressive 577 bhp from a handcrafted V8 engine, and even though it’s a convertible, you have some rear seating. These aren’t the most practical, and they are more suitable for storage, but it gives you an option on some journeys.

The other issue with SL models is the competition out there. With the BMW M8 offering the same performance for a lot less, and similar Porsche models around $150,000, the SL 63 feels overpriced. That’s reflected in the preowned price, but it does mean you can find an SL for a significant reduction in the used market.

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S-Class 580 

• New Model Cost: $141,000 – $173,500 
• 2020 Used Model Cost: $85,000 – $100,000
• Resale Value: 58% (average after three years)

Next up we have the S 580, the top-spec S-Class model. The S-Class is Mercedes’ luxury sedan, and when we say luxury we’re not exaggerating. This car is the benchmark for a sedan and features technology you won’t find on any other Mercedes.

Surprisingly the S 580 isn’t as expensive as the SL 63 we just looked at, partly due to the engine. You still have 500 bhp here, but this isn’t a car designed around performance. With one of the best interiors of any car on sale today, the S 580 is a car you need to be driven in.

With a car like this, owners will always want the latest and best technology, and that means you’ll find plenty of S 580s changing hands. After all, if you have $150,000 to spend on a car, chances are you won’t mind spending a bit more every year to make sure you have the best from Mercedes.

The S 580 also comes with its fair share of expensive options, and as we’ve seen on other models, top-spec examples will depreciate quickly. Even so, a three-year-old model will still cost you $100,000, so don’t expect to find a cheap S 580. 

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AMG GT 63 S

• New Model Cost: $170,350 – $229,500
• 2020 Used Model Cost: $95,000 – $114,000
• Resale Value: 52% (average after three years)

Our next Mercedes is the AMG GT 63 S. Occupying a strange place in the Mercedes lineup, this 4-door coupe is one of their most expensive vehicles. So what makes the GT 63 S cost over $200,000?

First up, as the name suggests, the 63 S features a handcrafted V8 engine. Unlike the SL 63 though, this model increases power to 630 bhp, giving you a 0-60 time of just 3.1 seconds. This makes the AMG GT one of the fastest 4-door cars on sale right now, but this car isn’t all about speed.

Apart from that engine, most of the cost comes from a generous amount of carbon fiber and performance parts. These include a $3,000 carbon fiber roof, a spoiler for $4,000, and ceramic brakes for $8,950. All of this helps to push the cost way above $200,000, and that’s where the depreciation hits.

The issue with the resale value of the AMG GT 63 S is the competition out there. Like the SL 63, this is an impressive machine, but there’s too much at a more competitive price. You can buy an Audi RS7 for $60,000 less, with the same horsepower, or a BMW M8 Gran Coupe for $40,000 less.

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Maybach S 650/680

• New Model Cost: $229,000 – $272,000
• 2020 Used Model Cost: $120,000 – $140,000
• Resale Value: 51% (average after three years)

Our final model on this list, with a resale value of 51%, is the Maybach S 680. If you’re unfamiliar with Maybach, it’s essentially the luxury arm of Mercedes, and this model is their version of the S Class. If you read our section on the S 580 you’ll know how good the standard S Class is, but this steps things up a level.

We’ve included the S 650 here, as Maybach recently changed their flagship model name to the 680 version. There are plenty of differences between this and the S 580, but to give you an idea of how different this car is, we wanted to share a few.

First up, the 496 bhp on the S 580 is now 621 bhp here. The Maybach features exclusive materials for your interior, with Nappa leather everywhere. Options include a refrigerator with champagne for rear passengers and heated & cooled cupholders. In simple terms, this is a unique model, and incredibly rare.

So why is the depreciation so high? This one surprised us, as Maybach models are hard to come by. We’ve looked into any common issues with the car that might cause owners to swap early, but there isn’t anything out of the ordinary here. Our only guess is the standard method of Maybach owners wanting the very best, and swapping models more often.

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