Why does the Teana not retain its value?
3 Answers
The Teana's poor value retention is primarily due to three main reasons: rapid model price reductions, the general depreciation of Japanese cars, and relatively poor sales performance. Among its peers, the Teana lags behind competitors such as the Passat, Magotan, and Accord. Additionally, the pricing of the Teana is another factor affecting its depreciation rate. Methods to determine whether a car is new are as follows: 1. Check the manufacturing date: The vehicle's manufacturing date should match the date on the certificate of conformity, which is usually difficult to alter. If the manufacturing date exceeds 15 days, it is considered an old car. 2. Inspect the brake discs: Most modern small passenger vehicles use disc brakes (at least for the front brakes), making the brake discs a reliable indicator. Typically, after driving more than 200 kilometers, the brake pads will leave noticeable marks on the brake discs. There is usually a 1-2 mm gap between the brake pads and the outer edge of the brake discs. After a certain distance is traveled, a noticeable "ledge" (very low in new cars) will form on the outer edge of the brake discs.
As someone who helps friends choose cars year after year, I've noticed several reasons why the Teana depreciates quickly. This car emphasizes comfort, but young people nowadays prioritize sportiness and tech features, leading to reduced market demand. Nissan frequently slashes prices by 30,000 to 40,000 yuan on new models, so used car dealers naturally lowball their offers. While the interior materials are comfortable, they lack a sense of luxury and appear dated after five years. The hybrid versions of the Accord and Camry have taken away many potential buyers, and although the Teana's 2.0T engine is good, its fuel consumption is relatively high. Replacement parts are cheap, but the resale value is indeed lower compared to German and Japanese competitors. Last year, I helped a relative sell their 2019 top-tier model, which cost 230,000 yuan when new but was only worth 120,000 yuan after three years—quite a hit to the wallet.
Having been in the used car market for years, I've seen too many Teana price plunges. The core issue is insufficient brand premium—Nissan isn't as strong as Toyota or Honda. The car itself is too one-sided: seats are comfy like sofas, but handling ranks at the bottom of its class. Resale value suffers most during generational shifts—the new model's aggressive front fascia instantly outdated the old one. Current new-car discounts are massive; late last year in Guangzhou, prices dropped by 45,000 yuan outright. Would used dealers dare offer high prices? Then there's the Jatco CVT—while failure rates aren't high, repair costs always raise eyebrows. Personally, I'd say buying a used Teana is a steal, but selling one? That's real pain.
