The latest information on residual values by sector throws up a few interesting facts.

Figures from Vehicle Information Publishing show that care needs to be taken when considering RVs, as the types of cars with the best residual value percentage after three years and 60,000 miles do not necessarily represent the best value for money.

The sector with the best average RV percentage is medium-SUV – cars such as Honda’s CR-V – with 44.3%.

But when one takes depreciation into account, this sector loses the second highest amount per month. Only the compact prestige sector (such as the BMW 3 Series) loses more.

The cheapest cars in terms of depreciation are superminis such as the Ford Fiesta, which cost just £191 in depreciation each month, despite having an average RV of 36.9%.

The figures were correct as of January 10, 2008.