There is no single figure: car depreciation in Panama depends on the make, model, age, mileage, maintenance, and warranty. As a reference, an analysis of listings published on Encuentra24 as of September 30, 2026, shows that 2026 Jetour models are being offered used for about 80% of their new price in their first year, and the 2025 Jetour T2 for about 74%. These are asking prices in listings, not final sale prices: they indicate market direction, not an appraisal.
How much value used Jetour vehicles retain in Panama
| Model | New price (list) | Used asking price | Mileage | Retains |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Jetour T2 2026 | $43,000 | $34,500–$35,900; median $34,900 (5 listings) | 5,000–15,000 km | ~81% |
| Jetour T2 2025 | $43,000 | $28,900–$35,999; median $32,000 (10 listings) | 10,000–48,000 km | ~74% |
| Jetour X70 FL 2026 | $21,398–$22,800 | $17,900–$18,000 (2 listings) | 3,000–13,000 km | ~81% |
| Jetour T1 2026 | $32,000 (Comfort) | $26,995 (1 listing) | 8,600 km | ~84% |
| Soueast S07 2026 | $25,465 (Comfort) – $28,500 (Premium) | $24,000 (1 listing) | 4,000 km | ~84–94%, depending on version |
What is depreciation and how is it measured
What is car depreciation?
Depreciation is the loss of a car's value from the moment it leaves the dealership. It is expressed as the percentage of the new price it retains over time: if a $30,000 car is sold used for $24,000, it retains 80% of its value.How is a car’s retained value calculated?
There are two common ways to measure it:- Retention over new price: used price divided by the new price. It is the most direct measure, but requires knowing the list price.
- Year-model curve: price of a model from one year divided by the price of the same model from a more recent year, for example, a 2023 versus a 2025. It shows how flat the drop is between years, but compares two used vehicles to each other, so it is not equivalent to retention over the new price.
What makes a car lose more or less value?
The price of a used car depends primarily on:- Age and mileage.
- Version and equipment.
- Maintenance history, especially if performed at the dealership.
- Whether the warranty is still in effect.
- The number of used vehicles of the same model for sale.
- Confidence in the workshop network and availability of spare parts.
- Discounts on the new model price and model changes (facelifts).
Resale value in Panama: September 2026 data
How much value does a used Jetour retain in Panama?
In their first year, 2026 Jetour models listed on Encuentra24 are offered for about 80% of their new price: the 2026 Jetour T2 at ~81% and the 2026 X70 FL at ~81%, according to listings as of September 30, 2026. These are asking prices by sellers, not final sale prices. The T2 is the model with the most data, with 15 listings between the 2025 and 2026 versions.How much is a used Jetour T2 worth?
As of September 30, 2026, used 2026 Jetour T2 vehicles, with between 5,000 and 15,000 km, were listed on Encuentra24 between $34,500 and $35,900, with a median of $34,900: about 81% of their $43,000 new price. The 2025 T2s, with between 10,000 and 48,000 km, were asking between $28,900 and $35,999, with a median of $32,000: about 74%.Are there many used Jetour vehicles for sale?
No. As of September 30, 2026, there were about 25 used Jetour vehicles listed on Encuentra24, compared to the 1,151 new units the brand sold just between January and May 2026. In the listings, sellers highlight that the car was "bought at Petromotors," has "dealership maintenance," and that the warranty is still in effect.Where does this data come from and what are its limitations?
From an analysis of about 250 listings, out of the nearly 840 published on Encuentra24 Panama as of September 30, 2026, compared to Petromotors list prices including ITBMS. They have two limitations: they are asking prices in listings, not final sale prices, and some models have very few listings. They serve to see the direction and order of magnitude of the market, not as an appraisal for a specific car.Is it possible to know what a Jetour will be worth in five years?
Not yet. Jetour arrived in Panama in 2023, so it does not yet have a three-to-five-year resale history in the country. Current data shows how its cars perform in the first and second year; the longer-term trend can be measured as there are more older used vehicles on the market.Warranty, after-sales, and market
Does the warranty influence resale value?
Yes: an active warranty and dealership maintenance are among the arguments most used by sellers of used vehicles. Jetour and Soueast vehicles from Petromotors have a 7-year or 200,000 km warranty. Furthermore, according to Acodeco, failure to honor warranties was the main reason for complaints regarding new cars in 2026, with about 78% of cases, which explains why after-sales support weighs on the purchasing decision. All coverage details are in what the JETOUR warranty covers in Panama.How many new cars are sold in Panama?
In 2025, 60,233 new cars were registered in Panama, a record and 10.8% more than in 2024, according to the Panama Automobile Dealers Association (ADAP). In the first half of 2026, 31,222 units were sold, 10.6% more than a year earlier; SUVs, with about 17,500 units, are more than half of the market.What is the weight of Chinese brands in Panama?
Between January and May 2026, 20 Chinese brands totaled 7,867 units, 29.5% of sales, according to ADAP data published by La Prensa. Between January and July, the share reached 29.9%, compared to 24.5% a year earlier. Among them, Geely led in May with 1,297 units, followed by Jetour with 1,151 and Changan with 1,034. That is why the buyer's question is no longer just "Chinese or Japanese?", but "which Chinese brand retains its value best?".Tips for retaining value
How can you make a car retain its value?
- Perform maintenance at the dealership and keep all invoices.
- Keep the warranty active and in order.
- Take care of the mileage and aesthetic condition: paint, interior, and rims.
- Keep the original accessories and sets of keys.
- If you plan to resell, choose high-demand versions and colors.
- Before listing, compare the market price of the same model, year, version, and mileage.
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