VAUXHALL executives say residual value predictions for its Astra Sport Hatch buck trends in the fleet market.

Experts predict that the new vehicle will fetch a higher residual value as a used car than its five-door equivalent.

It points to figures from residual forecast expert CAP, which says the vehicle will command a £300 residual value premium compared to the five door after three-years/60,000-miles, especially on sportier SXi and SRi derivatives.

The industry norm, however, is for three-door models generally to achieve lower prices than their five-door equivalents, company bosses say.

CAP’s New Car Monitor shows that the Astra 1.8 SRi Sport Hatch will achieve a residual value of £5,375, compared to £5,075 for the five-door Astra, while the 1.9 CDTi SRi (120) should achieve £5,800, compared to £5,500 for the five-door model.

Vauxhall chiefs believe that the forecast residual values will translate to more competitive contract hire rates for the new car, which goes on sale in April.