It only makes sense that the luxury auto sector’s most successful brand in new vehicle sales is also strong on the pre-owned

The G-Class continually shows up at the top of retained value awards. (Photo: Mercedes-Benz)

market. Mercedes-Benz’ popularity helps drive up used prices, which is always a bonus for owners when it comes time to trade up to a new model or sell their used car or SUV.

Proving this point, the German brand earned multiple Canadian Black Book 2017 Best Retained Value Awards. The venerable G-Class SUV moved up two places to take top spot in the “Full-Size Luxury SUV” category, while the GLK (now replaced by the GLC) earned runner-up status in the “Compact Luxury SUV” segment behind Audi’s Q5, an impressive feat considering just how many compact sport utilities are vying for top position. Mercedes’ CLS four-door coupe was also recognized amongst the best three in the “Premium Luxury Car” class, while Mercedes final prize was first place for the Sprinter passenger and cargo van in the “Full-Size Van” segment.

The

The Sprinter almost always places first in its commercial van segment. (Photo: Mercedes-Benz)

Sprinter moved up one spot from last year to earn best in class this year, with additional past performers including the GL-Class earning a top-three spot in the “Full-size Luxury SUV” segment in 2016; the G-Class and Sprinter once again winning their segments in 2015 with the CLS-Class and GLK-Class recognized; the Sprinter and GLK-Class taking first in 2014 with the G-Class and E-Class recognized; the G-Class and Sprinter walking away with top honours in 2013, and so on.

“Depreciation is the single largest expense of owning a vehicle, more than gas, maintenance or insurance,” stated Brian Murphy, VP Research and Editorial, Canadian Black Book. “Understanding your vehicle’s retained value is extremely important for anyone researching to buy, sell or trade-in any vehicle.”

Take

The CLS-Class four-door coupe retains its value well over four years. (Photo: Mercedes-Benz)

note, the “2017” Best Retained Value Awards actually recognizes vehicles from the 2013 model year. Vehicle values are tracked over four years, which involves CBB “analysts scouring hundreds of thousands of sales transactions and other data points from live auctions, online auctions, dealership and other proprietary sources,” said the third-party analytical firm in a press release. Prizes get awarded to vehicles that maintain the highest percentage value when compared against their original Manufacturer Suggested Retail Price (MSRP).

In case you were wondering, Canadian Black Book isn’t the only organization awarding models with strong resale values. In fact, ALG does likewise with its Canadian

Beautifully designed, high-quality, fully featured interiors help Mercedes-Benz vehicles maintain their values. (Photo: Mercedes-Benz)

Residual Value Awards. The difference between the two awards programs is that CBB analyzes past performance while ALG forecasts the future.

So how did Mercedes do in the latest 2017 ALG Canadian Residual Value Awards? Mercedes’ G-Class and Sprinter once again took first place within the “Premium Fullsize Utility Vehicle” and “Fullsize Commercial Van” segments respectively, while the GLC-Class won first in the “Premium Compact Utility Vehicle” category and the GLE-Class achieved top-three placement within the “Premium Midsize Utility Vehicle – 2 Row” segment.

It should be noted that retained (or resale) values are subject to many factors, from the strength of a brand and/or model within the pre-owned auto market to exactly

The GLC-Class, and its GLK predecessor, have long held their values well. (Photo: Mercedes-Benz)

where a given model is in its lifecycle, to a vehicle’s MSRP and the perceived value associated with that price, or for that matter a vehicle’s popularity amongst fleet buyers (especially rental fleets) to others’ lack of popularity overall, while buying patterns can also be dictated by outside forces such as fuel prices, so therefore a vehicle nameplate that doesn’t make the top three in its category shouldn’t be seen as a knock against the current model’s future performance, but if a vehicle regularly makes top three it may be a wiser choice from a financial perspective than competitors that never see the podium.

This in mind, the G-Class, Sprinter, CLS-Class and GLC-Class (previously the GLK-Class) have proven to have such strong continued resale values they should be seriously considered within their respective segments.

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