A SURVEY by Which? magazine has shown that the new BMW 316ti Compact is the lowest depreciation car in the country.

Over three years it lost just 47 per cent of its value, tying for first place in the survey with two other models. Some cars lost as much as 76 per cent over the same period.

The latest version of the BMW Compact was launched in 2001 and is available with a choice of three petrol engines and one diesel. Prices begin at £16,265 for the 31 6ti, which is powered by a 1.8 litre, four-cylinder petrol engine built at BMW's high-tech engine plant at Hams Hall, near Coventry.

Jim O'Donnell, BMW GB managing director, said: "This is a superb result and a reflection of our total commitment to protect the secondhand value of our cars. The natural level of demand for all our models, means that when used BMWs come on the market they can command particularly strong prices.

“While our cars are at the premium end of the market, the costs of owning one are often far lower than more mainstream, mass market models."