HONDA has been celebrating after its red-hot Civic Type-R proved slower than rivals in one key area - depreciation.

Glass's Guide says one-year-old models have retained 90% of their value, beating direct competitors including the SEAT Leon 20V T Cupra and the Renault Cliosport 172.

Jeff Patterson, senior editor for Glass's Guide, said: 'With depreciation the single biggest cost associated with running a car, the Civic Type-R's excellent residual values are great news for owners.

'It means overall ownership costs are likely to be far less than might have been expected for a car of this type.'