A Survey of the UK’s lowest depreciating cars puts one of my favourites the Abarth 500 in the top three.

The survey researched by valuation specialists CAP was published in Auto Express. The pocket rocket Abarth 500 took third place behind the Audi Q5 and the great value Skoda Yeti, The average resale value of the car was still 60% of its list price, after three years or 30,000 miles.

Since owning an Abarth A112 Autobianchi years ago. Once again the brand’s hard-fought strategy to build long-term value into its cars is working. The model I had years ago held its value very well and the same is happening. Just a shame we had so many years with Abarth on the shelf and the Abarth stickers on my fridge.

Since returning to the market properly in July 2008 the Abarth plan to stave off depreciation is working. The Abarth performance arm of the Fiat Group has become the desirable brand that people want to own and drive. In my opinion it should have never left.

“Right from the start we had the plan to build in long-term value to the Abarth brand,” says Ivan Gibson, head of Abarth in the UK. “A sustainable cost of ownership is something we have always been able to offer Abarth drivers and, add to that the fact that the Abarth 500 is a timeless and highly attractive car, it’s no wonder that it has done so well in this important research.”

The latest Abarth 500 is powered by a 1.4-litre 16-valve turbocharged engine. The Abarth model delivers a maximum 135 bhp at 5500 rpm and has a peak torque of 206 Nm (152 lb ft) at 3000 rpm, when ‘Sport’ mode is deployed.

Built to Euro 5 environmental standards the Abarth 500 returns 43.4 mpg (Combined Cycle) and has CO₂emissions of just 155 g/km.

Style this good never really came at such a great price. On the Road the Abarth 500 range starts at £14,461 for the 1.4 T-Jet and I want one now.