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.

“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.

Honda Jazz depreciates less than other cars

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.

The best performers of 2009

1 Honda Jazz (08 on) – £1379

2 Fiat 500 (08 on) – £1460

3 SEAT Ibiza (08 on) – £1552

4 Hyundai i10 (08 on) – £1650

5 Mazda 2 (07 on) – £1702

The biggest losers of 2009

1 Maybach 62 (03 on) – £127,526

2 Maybach 57 (03 on) – £115,253

3 Rolls-Royce Phantom (03 on) – £81,183

4 Bentley Arnage (98 on) – £66,040

5 Ferrari 612 Scaglietti (05 on) – £51,627