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The resale value of BYD cars in Australia has become a hot topic as more Aussies dive into the electric vehicle revolution. If you’re thinking about grabbing a BYD or already own one, understanding how much your ride will be worth down the track is crucial for your wallet.
Let’s break down exactly what you can expect from BYD resale values across different ownership periods. The numbers might surprise you – both good and bad!
Current BYD Market Performance in Australia
BYD has absolutely smashed it in the Australian market, with sales jumping 64.5% in 2024 alone. The brand sold over 20,000 vehicles last year, making it a serious Tesla competitor.
Recent research shows BYD Atto 3 values dropped 29% from $51,990 to $36,990 over two years (January 2023 to December 2024). That’s a significant hit, but there’s more to the story than these headline numbers suggest.
Breaking Down BYD Resale Values by Years Used
Year 1: The Initial Hit
First-year depreciation hits BYD vehicles hard, just like most new cars. You’re looking at approximately 15-20% value loss in the first 12 months.
For a BYD Atto 3 purchased at $44,990, expect it to be worth around $36,000-$38,000 after one year. This initial drop reflects the transition from “new” to “used” status.
Year 2: Stabilising but Still Dropping
Second-year ownership sees continued depreciation but at a slower rate. BYD models typically lose another 10-15% of their original value during year two.
Your two-year-old BYD Atto 3 would likely trade for $32,000-$35,000. That’s still painful, but the worst is behind you.
Year 3: Finding Some Stability
Three-year resale values show more promise for BYD owners. Industry data suggests EVs retain around 50-55% of their original value after three years, putting BYD in line with industry averages.
A three-year-old BYD Atto 3 should hold $22,000-$27,000 in resale value. Not fantastic, but competitive with other EVs in the same price bracket.
What’s Driving BYD Depreciation?
Market Saturation and Competition
More choice equals lower prices. As new EV brands flood the Australian market, older models struggle to maintain their premium.
BYD recently slashed prices by up to $5,900 across their range for 2025, making new cars more attractive than used ones. That’s brutal for existing owners but great news for bargain hunters.
Technology Advances
Rapid tech improvements mean last year’s cutting-edge features become tomorrow’s standard kit. BYD’s distributor acknowledges that fast-changing technology affects resale values.
Battery improvements, charging speeds, and infotainment updates make newer models significantly more appealing than their predecessors.
BYD Model-Specific Resale Breakdown
BYD Atto 3: The Volume Seller
Australia’s second-best-selling electric SUV has taken the biggest depreciation hit. The 2025 Atto 3 now starts from $39,990, down from previous pricing.
- 1 Year Old: $36,000-$38,000
- 2 Years Old: $32,000-$35,000
- 3 Years Old: $22,000-$27,000
BYD Seal: Premium Performance
The Seal sedan holds value slightly better due to its premium positioning and lower sales volumes. Higher-spec Performance variants retain more value than base models.
Expected retention rates sit around 5-8% higher than Atto 3 figures across all time periods.
BYD Dolphin: Budget Champion
BYD’s cheapest model faces the steepest depreciation curves. Recent $2,000 price cuts haven’t helped resale values for existing owners.
Budget EVs typically lose value faster than premium models, making the Dolphin a risky resale proposition.
Factors Affecting Your BYD’s Resale Value
Battery Health and Range
Battery condition is everything in the EV world. BYD offers 8-year/160,000km battery warranties promising 70% capacity retention.
Keep your battery healthy by avoiding frequent fast charging and extreme temperatures. Range degradation kills resale value faster than anything else.
Charging Infrastructure
Your local charging network directly impacts resale appeal. EVs in cities with robust charging networks hold value better than those in remote areas.
Brisbane, Melbourne, and Sydney BYD owners typically see 5-10% better resale values than regional counterparts.
Specification Level
Higher trim levels generally retain value better. Premium BYD models with larger batteries, better interiors, and advanced tech features depreciate more slowly.
Base-spec Essential variants hit rock bottom fastest, while Premium grades maintain some dignity in the used market.
How BYD Compares to Competitors
Tesla: The Benchmark
Tesla Model 3 retains around 57-58% of its value after three years, putting BYD at a slight disadvantage. However, Tesla’s premium pricing means absolute dollar losses are often higher.
MG and Rivals
MG ZS EV dropped from $48,071 to $34,300 over two years, showing BYD isn’t alone in the depreciation struggle. Chinese EVs generally face similar challenges.
Korean brands like Hyundai Kona Electric perform slightly better, retaining 55-60% after three years.
Maximizing Your BYD’s Resale Value
Timing Your Sale
Don’t wait too long. The sweet spot for selling is often 18-24 months of ownership, before major depreciation kicks in but after initial delivery issues are resolved.
Maintenance Matters
Keep service records immaculate. BYD service costs average $190-$299 annually, making regular maintenance affordable.
Document everything – battery health checks, software updates, and any warranty work performed.
Popular Specifications
Mid-range trim levels with decent range sell fastest. Avoid base models and overly expensive top-spec variants for best resale appeal.
Popular colors like white, black, and silver also help maintain value compared to unusual paint options.
The Reality Check: Should You Care?
Total Cost of Ownership
Resale value is just one piece of the puzzle. BYD Atto 3 owners save thousands annually on fuel and maintenance costs compared to petrol equivalents.
Factor in government incentives, lower running costs, and environmental benefits before obsessing over depreciation.
Market Maturation
EV markets are evolving rapidly. BYD’s Australian distributor believes stable pricing is key to healthy resale values long-term.
As the market matures and technology stabilizes, depreciation rates should normalize to match traditional vehicles.
Future Outlook for BYD Resale Values
Government Policy Impact
Changing incentives could dramatically affect used EV values. State rebates for new cars currently hurt used values, but this may change as programs wind down.
Federal policy changes around emissions standards or EV taxation could also shift the market dynamics significantly.
Chinese Brand Perception
BYD’s reputation continues improving in Australia. Better brand perception typically translates to stronger resale values over time.
Quality improvements and expanding dealer networks should help future models retain value better than current generation vehicles.
Smart Shopping Strategies
For Buyers
Used BYD vehicles currently offer exceptional value. Two-year-old Atto 3s selling for around $37,000 represent significant savings over new car pricing.
Focus on low-mileage examples with full service history and strong battery health reports.
For Sellers
Price realistically and highlight unique selling points like remaining warranty coverage, charging accessories, or recent software updates.
Consider private sales over trade-ins to maximize returns, especially for well-maintained examples.
The Bottom Line
BYD resale values in Australia follow typical EV patterns – steep initial depreciation followed by gradual stabilization. While the numbers look scary, remember that total ownership costs often favor EVs despite poor resale performance.
BYD’s commitment to stable pricing should help future resale values, but current owners face reality of rapid early depreciation.
The key is understanding these patterns before buying and factoring depreciation into your ownership calculations. BYD vehicles offer tremendous value as transport tools, even if they’re not great investments.
FAQs
Q: How much will my BYD Atto 3 be worth after 2 years? A: Expect around $32,000-$35,000 for a well-maintained example, down from $44,990 new.
Q: Do BYD cars hold value better than other Chinese EVs? A: BYD performs similarly to MG and other Chinese brands, with all facing significant depreciation challenges.
Q: What affects BYD resale value most? A: Battery health, charging infrastructure in your area, and specification level are the biggest factors.