C Car Depreciation
Volkswagen · sedan · mainstream

Volkswagen Jetta Depreciation Calculator

Calculate the Volkswagen Jetta depreciation rate by year, mileage, and country — with accident-history adjustments and a year-by-year depreciation chart.

The Volkswagen Jetta is a compact sedan known for its German-tuned driving dynamics, efficient turbocharged engines, and upscale cabin feel. However, depreciation runs steeper than Japanese rivals like the Civic or Corolla, with the Jetta retaining roughly 45–50% of MSRP after five years due to softer brand resale and higher long-term maintenance perception.

1-year depreciation
20%
5-year retention
48%
MSRP
$21,995–$32k
Avg mi / year
13,000

Depreciation inputs

Depreciation during your 5-year ownership
$14,037
-52%
Value at purchase
$26,995
Brand new
Value when you sell
$12,958
5y / 60,000 mi
Depreciation / year
$2,807
Depreciation / mi
$0.23
A7 Facelift
7th generation facelift · started 2025

Current generation — no successor has launched yet.

Depreciation curve · your ownership window

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Year-by-year depreciation

Depreciation rate per year, based on an MSRP of $26,995

Age Value % Retained Annual depreciation
New $26,995 100%
Year 1 $21,596 80% -$5,399 (20%)
Year 2 $18,897 70% -$2,699 (12.5%)
Year 3 $16,737 62% -$2,160 (11.4%)
Year 4 $14,847 55% -$1,890 (11.3%)
Year 5 $12,958 48% -$1,889 (12.7%)
Year 6 $11,608 43% -$1,350 (10.4%)
Year 7 $10,258 38% -$1,350 (11.6%)
Year 8 $9,178 34% -$1,080 (10.5%)
Year 9 $8,099 30% -$1,079 (11.8%)
Year 10 $7,289 27% -$810 (10%)

Volkswagen Jetta depreciation by country

The same car depreciates at different rates in different markets. Here's how the Volkswagen Jetta depreciation rate changes across the seven major markets we track.

🇺🇸
United States
Baseline

Baseline market. The Jetta is one of VW's best-sellers in the US, but depreciation is steeper than Japanese compact rivals. GLI trims retain value notably better due to enthusiast demand.

Currency: USD Unit: mi
🇨🇦
Canada
-4% retention

Strong Jetta following in Canada, particularly for diesel (pre-Dieselgate) and GLI variants. Depreciation is slightly faster than the US due to harsh winters and perceived repair costs.

Currency: CAD Unit: km
🇬🇧
United Kingdom
-18% retention

The Jetta was discontinued in the UK after 2010 in favor of the Passat and Golf. Remaining examples depreciate heavily due to thin demand and limited dealer support.

Currency: GBP Unit: mi
🇪🇺
Europe
-15% retention

European buyers favor the Golf hatchback over the Jetta sedan, making resale softer across the continent. Diesel variants where available hold up marginally better.

Currency: EUR Unit: km
🇸🇦
Saudi Arabia
+2% retention

The Jetta enjoys steady demand in Saudi Arabia as an affordable European sedan. Resale is supported by a strong aftermarket and preference for well-equipped SE and SEL trims.

Currency: SAR Unit: km
🇮🇳
India
-12% retention

The Jetta was discontinued in India in 2016, and resale suffers from spare-parts scarcity and limited VW service footprint. Pre-owned TDI diesel models still see niche demand.

Currency: INR Unit: km
🇦🇺
Australia
-16% retention

The Jetta was withdrawn from the Australian market in 2014 in favor of the Golf. Remaining units depreciate quickly due to discontinued status and parts availability concerns.

Currency: AUD Unit: km

Volkswagen Jetta 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 Volkswagen Jetta.

Minor accident
+8% depreciation

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

Moderate accident
+18% depreciation

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

Major accident
+33% 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.

Volkswagen Jetta FAQ

How much does a Volkswagen Jetta depreciate in the first year?
A new Volkswagen Jetta typically depreciates about 20% in its first year of ownership — steeper than the Honda Civic (~15%) or Toyota Corolla (~13%). On a $25,000 Jetta SE, that's roughly a $5,000 loss before the first anniversary of purchase.
What is a 5-year-old Volkswagen Jetta worth?
After 5 years, a Jetta retains roughly 48% of its original MSRP, meaning a $26,000 SE trim will resell for around $12,500. GLI performance trims fare better, retaining closer to 52%, while loaded SEL trims depreciate fastest in dollar terms.
Why does the Jetta depreciate faster than a Honda Civic?
The Jetta carries a perception of higher long-term maintenance costs and more expensive parts than Japanese rivals, which drags down used-market demand. Additionally, VW's brand resale reputation in the US trails Honda and Toyota by about 5–8 percentage points at the 5-year mark.
How does mileage affect Jetta depreciation?
Each mile above the 13,000/year average reduces a Jetta's value by approximately $0.014. A 5-year-old Jetta with 100,000 miles will sell for roughly $1,500–$2,000 less than one with 65,000 miles, all else equal.
Does the Jetta GLI hold its value better than standard trims?
Yes. The GLI's enthusiast following and shared DNA with the Golf GTI help it retain about 3–5% more value than comparable SEL trims at the 5-year mark. Manual-transmission GLIs in particular command a premium on the used market.

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