The Mini has topped a list of models that will be worth the most in the used car market.

Lex’s top used car top 20 was headed by the Mini, which the company believe will be worth 54% of its original cost new price based on a typical three year/60,000 mile contract.

In second and third place were the Audi TT and Audi A5, which together with the Audi A3, Audi Q7, Audi Cabriolet put more Audis in the Lex list than any other car maker.

Surprisingly the Lex list shows the anti-4x4 lobby has not hit residual value predictions, with no less than seven in the top 20, including the new Land Rover Freelander, Honda CRV and Mercedes M Class.

Bread and butter fleet cars have struggled to get anywhere near the top 20, but the nearest are the Audi A3 (seventh) and the BMW 3 series (18th). Volvo’s C30 is the only true three door hatchback in the top 20 at number nine.

There is only one green entry – the Toyota Prius in 15th place, while the Porsche Boxster, for so long top of the Lex list, fell to 14th.

“Most used drivers aspire to the same credentials as a new car buyer, that of style, exclusivity and reliability and that’s why this list is the way it is,” said Steve Jones, Lex pricing manager.

“Those used buyers who can’t afford a new Mini or Audi TT may well be able to stretch to a used one in two or three years time so they will be in high demand, pushing up prices,” he added.

Ranking Model % of original cost new price
1 Mini 54%
2 Audi TT 52%
3 Audi A5 51%
4 Range Rover Sport 50%
5 Mercedes Benz SLK 49%
6 Mercedes Benz C Class 49%
7 Audi A3 48%
8 BMW X5 47%
9 Volvo C30 47%
10 Land Rover Freelander 47%
11 Toyota RAV4 46%
12 Nissan 350Z 46%
13 Honda CRV 46%
14 Porsche Boxster 45%
15 Toyota Prius 45%
16 Audi Q7 45%
17 Mercedes Benz M Class 45%
18 BMW 3 Series Coupe & Convertible 45%
19 Audi Cabriolet 44%
20 BMW 1 series 44%

Source: Lex