On 11/01/2017 13:23, jim wrote:

I have offers for a new car of Circa 26600 (carwow) in my choice
of metallic.

2nd hand/ex demo "year old" examples are advertised (ebay, auto
trader) for 24000 or 24500, usually in cheapo white.

If these cars retain 45% value after 3 years shurely these used
prices are way over the odds?

What gives?

One explanation I have heard is that dealers are encouraged to overprice
cars of the same marque and put prices of alternative marques much
lower, to con people into thinking depreciation has slowed for their cars.