The Honda Jazz is Britain's best car for retaining its value according to Parker's annual depreciation report which surveyed almost 300 model ranges.

As well as class-leading residual values, the latest Jazz – which went on sale in 2008 – offers many features of a bigger car such as load space, driving feel and high-spec equipment, but with the great fuel economy, low emissions and more affordable running costs of a small one.

“The latest version of the Honda Jazz picks up where the previous model left off as a very desirable used car,” said Kieren Puffett, editor of Parker's. “A combination of incredible flexibility for a vehicle of its size, the interior space of a much larger car and low running costs make it just as appealing to used car buyers as it does to those choosing new. It proved to be the safest investment on four wheels during 2009.”

Residual Values*
Residual values from CAP Monitor based on three years or 60,000 miles are:

Jazz 1.2 S (90PS)   42%
Jazz 1.2 SE (90PS)   43%
Jazz 1.4 ES (100PS) manual   44%
Jazz 1.4 EX (100PS) manual   44%

The Parker’s survey uses the value of cars, as if they were being sold privately, in good condition with 10,000 miles on the clock and compares this to their cost as new, 12 months earlier.

Small cars showed they are certainly the safest bet for depreciation, taking 35 of the top 40 places in the index.

CR-V residual values
The newly-launched CR-V for 2010 boosts sector-leading residuals at the larger end of the Honda model line-up. The 2.2-litre ES, which we expect to be the most popular variant, has a residual value of 39.1 per cent based on 3 years or 60,000 miles.