C Car Depreciation
Mercedes-Benz · sedan · luxury

Mercedes-Benz CLA Depreciation Calculator

Calculate the Mercedes-Benz CLA depreciation rate by year, mileage, and country — with accident-history adjustments and a year-by-year depreciation chart.

The Mercedes-Benz CLA is an entry-level luxury four-door coupe that delivers a premium badge at an accessible price. Like most entry-luxury sedans, the CLA depreciates faster than mainstream sedans, with retained value dropping sharply in the first three years before stabilizing. Strong initial lease incentives and a steady supply of off-lease units keep used pricing soft.

1-year depreciation
26%
5-year retention
41%
MSRP
$44,050–$62k
Avg mi / year
12,000

Depreciation inputs

Depreciation during your 5-year ownership
$31,299
-59%
Value at purchase
$53,050
Brand new
Value when you sell
$21,751
5y / 60,000 mi
Depreciation / year
$6,260
Depreciation / mi
$0.52
C118 EV/Mild-Hybrid Refresh
3rd generation · started 2026

Current generation — no successor has launched yet.

Depreciation curve · your ownership window

BuySell

Year-by-year depreciation

Depreciation rate per year, based on an MSRP of $53,050

Age Value % Retained Annual depreciation
New $53,050 100%
Year 1 $39,257 74% -$13,793 (26%)
Year 2 $33,422 63% -$5,835 (14.9%)
Year 3 $28,647 54% -$4,775 (14.3%)
Year 4 $24,934 47% -$3,713 (13%)
Year 5 $21,751 41% -$3,183 (12.8%)
Year 6 $19,098 36% -$2,653 (12.2%)
Year 7 $16,976 32% -$2,122 (11.1%)
Year 8 $14,854 28% -$2,122 (12.5%)
Year 9 $13,263 25% -$1,591 (10.7%)
Year 10 $11,671 22% -$1,592 (12%)

Mercedes-Benz CLA depreciation by country

The same car depreciates at different rates in different markets. Here's how the Mercedes-Benz CLA depreciation rate changes across the seven major markets we track.

🇺🇸
United States
Baseline

Baseline market. High lease penetration (~70%) floods the used market every 3 years, accelerating depreciation. AMG variants hold up notably better than base CLA 250 trims.

Currency: USD Unit: mi
🇨🇦
Canada
-2% retention

Depreciation is slightly softer than the US due to 4MATIC AWD being standard/popular in cold provinces. Winter-ready CLAs retain value better than FWD US-spec imports.

Currency: CAD Unit: km
🇬🇧
United Kingdom
+2% retention

Strong company-car and PCP demand keeps CLA values healthier than in the US. Diesel CLA 220d variants historically depreciated faster than petrol due to ULEZ rules.

Currency: GBP Unit: mi
🇪🇺
Europe
Baseline

The CLA is popular as a Shooting Brake wagon in Europe, broadening buyer demand. Strong used demand in Germany and Benelux supports retention, though AMG 45 variants face insurance-driven discounts.

Currency: EUR Unit: km
🇸🇦
Saudi Arabia
+5% retention

Entry-luxury Mercedes badges carry strong prestige value in the Gulf. CLA 45 AMG models are especially sought-after, though extreme summer heat can soften values on higher-mileage examples.

Currency: SAR Unit: km
🇮🇳
India
-10% retention

Sold as a CBU with steep import duties, meaning high MSRP and steeper depreciation. Limited service network outside metros makes out-of-warranty examples drop faster than comparable Audis.

Currency: INR Unit: km
🇦🇺
Australia
-4% retention

The CLA competes directly with the Audi A3 sedan and BMW 2 Series Gran Coupe. Luxury Car Tax inflates new prices, so used CLAs depreciate sharply in years 1–3 before stabilizing.

Currency: AUD Unit: km

Mercedes-Benz CLA depreciation after an accident

An accident on a vehicle's history permanently increases its depreciation rate, even after perfect repairs. Here's how much extra depreciation each severity level adds to a Mercedes-Benz CLA.

Minor accident
+9% depreciation

Paintwork, bumper scuffs, non-structural repairs. Disclosed on history reports but limited resale impact.

Moderate accident
+20% depreciation

Panel replacement, airbag deployment, meaningful CARFAX entry. Significantly accelerates depreciation.

Major accident
+36% depreciation

Frame damage, flood, salvage title. Permanent depreciation hit even after full restoration.

This "diminished value" is the extra depreciation a car carries after an accident. Insurance rarely reimburses it — our calculator bakes it into every depreciation estimate.

Mercedes-Benz CLA FAQ

How much does a Mercedes-Benz CLA depreciate per year?
The CLA depreciates roughly 26% in the first year — significantly steeper than mainstream sedans — and then around 9–11% annually through year 5. By the 5-year mark, a CLA typically retains just 40–42% of its original MSRP, which is below the luxury-segment average of ~45%.
What is a Mercedes-Benz CLA worth after 5 years?
A CLA 250 purchased new for $45,000 will typically be worth around $18,000–$19,000 after 5 years with 60,000 miles. AMG CLA 45 S models retain slightly better in absolute dollars but still follow the same percentage depreciation curve.
Why does the CLA depreciate faster than a Toyota Camry?
The CLA suffers from heavy lease volume (around 70% of US sales are leased), which creates a flood of similar 3-year-old cars hitting auctions simultaneously. Additionally, luxury maintenance costs and out-of-warranty repair expenses push buyers toward newer examples, softening used prices.
Does the AMG CLA 45 depreciate differently than the base CLA 250?
Yes. The AMG CLA 45 S holds its value slightly better as a percentage (about 2–3 points stronger at 5 years) because it has a dedicated enthusiast buyer base and lower production volume. However, its higher starting price means the absolute dollar loss is larger — roughly $35,000 over 5 years.
How much does an accident reduce a CLA's resale value?
A minor accident reduces CLA resale by about 9%, a moderate accident by ~20%, and a major accident with structural damage by up to 36%. Luxury buyers are especially sensitive to Carfax history, so diminished-value hits are steeper than on mainstream sedans.