Which prestige car marques actually hold their value in Australia in 2026

In Australia, the cars most likely to retain value are not simply the most expensive or the most recognisable. The strongest examples usually combine global demand, local buyer depth, factory right-hand drive, limited supply, desirable specification, complete service records and a sale channel that reaches qualified buyers.

Ferrari and Porsche usually lead the conversation. Selected models from Lamborghini, McLaren, Mercedes-AMG, Aston Martin, Rolls-Royce, Bentley and BMW M can also perform well in the right circumstances. But the badge alone does not protect value.

The final number is shaped by the exact model, specification, kilometres, condition, service history, ownership history, Australian delivery status, import documentation, finance status and how quickly the owner wants to realise value.

Summary

This guide explains which high-end car marques tend to retain value in Australia and why overseas market results need local interpretation.

It focuses on prestige, exotic and modern collectible cars rather than Australian muscle cars, historic classics or general used luxury vehicles. Those markets behave differently and should be assessed separately.

The article covers Ferrari, Porsche, Lamborghini, McLaren, Mercedes-AMG, Aston Martin, Rolls-Royce, Bentley and BMW M. It also explains why Australian-delivered status, factory right-hand drive, Luxury Car Tax, import approval, PPSR status, service history, kilometres and local buyer depth can all affect value.

The focus is realisable Australian market value: the amount a serious buyer may reasonably pay for that exact car after condition, documentation, demand, timing, fees and sale channel are considered.

Key takeaways

Who this is for

This guide is written for:

• owners of prestige, exotic or high-end performance cars in Australia;
• collectors reviewing the value of a luxury car portfolio;
• executors or beneficiaries dealing with high-value vehicles;
• private clients considering whether a vehicle may be relevant to an asset assessment;
• owners comparing dealer offers, auction estimates, online listings or private-sale interest;
• buyers trying to understand which prestige marques have stronger resale depth.

It is not a substitute for physical inspection, mechanical review, PPSR checks, import verification, insurance advice, tax advice or a formal written valuation.

How this guide was prepared

This guide was prepared by reviewing Australian vehicle-market conditions, global collector-car reporting, prestige vehicle sales patterns, auction data and practical asset-assessment factors used when considering high-value cars as realisable private assets.

Australia recorded 1,241,037 new vehicle sales in 2025, a 0.3% increase on the prior year, according to the Australian Automotive Dealer Association. [1] That broad figure is useful market context, but it does not explain prestige and collectible values by itself. High-end cars are more condition-sensitive, more documentation-sensitive and more dependent on buyer confidence than the general market.

Global collector-car data is useful, but it cannot be imported directly into an Australian valuation. Australia is a right-hand-drive market with its own import approval requirements, Luxury Car Tax settings, state registration systems, transfer duties, compliance rules and buyer preferences. Import approval is required before bringing a road vehicle into Australia, and importing without approval is an offence under section 22 of the Road Vehicle Standards Act 2018, per the Department of Infrastructure. [2]

The article focuses on realisable market value: the amount a car may reasonably achieve after condition, documentation, demand, sale channel, fees, negotiation and timing are considered.

Market context in Australia

The Australian prestige car market in 2026 appears more selective than it was during the post-Covid period. Buyers remain active, but they are paying closer attention to kilometres, condition, service history, import status, accident history, finance status and pricing evidence.

That is consistent with broader collector-car market reporting. CLASSIC.COM reported that the classic and exotic auction market held steady in the first half of 2025, with US$2.3 billion in auction sales, 70% sell-through and average prices around US$60,000. [5] Hagerty also described the 2025 collector-car market as moving into a more stable phase after the Covid-era run-up. [6]

Knight Frank's 2026 luxury investment reporting also described a broader stabilisation across collectible categories, with collectors placing more emphasis on rarity and provenance after a period of correction. [7]

For Australian owners, the practical implication is simple. A strong badge may create interest, but the evidence has to support the value.

A strong high-end car in Australia usually has:

• Australian-delivered history, or clean and complete import history;
• factory right-hand drive;
• clear PPSR status;
• original books, service records and invoices;
• low or appropriate kilometres;
• desirable colour and specification;
• limited production or strong enthusiast demand;
• no unclear accident, repair, finance or compliance issues;
• a realistic sale channel for the owner's timeframe.

Valuation factors at a glance

Why Australian value is different from overseas value

Overseas auction results can be helpful, but they are not a valuation by themselves.

A Ferrari result in the United States, a Porsche result in the United Kingdom or a Lamborghini result in Europe may not translate directly into Australian dollars. The Australian buyer has to consider exchange rate, freight, insurance, import approval, compliance, Luxury Car Tax where applicable, GST, duty, stamp duty, registration and the smaller pool of local buyers.

Luxury Car Tax is part of the Australian high-end vehicle landscape. For 2025-26, the ATO lists the LCT threshold as $91,387 for fuel-efficient vehicles and $80,567 for other luxury vehicles. [3] This does not mean LCT directly sets used-car value. It means acquisition cost, import economics and buyer alternatives can influence market behaviour where LCT applies.

Australia also places a premium on confidence. A locally delivered, factory right-hand-drive car with complete books may attract stronger interest than a cheaper imported example with uncertain history. Imported cars can still be valuable, especially if rare or well documented, but the paperwork needs to be strong.

The marques that tend to hold value best in Australia

01Ferrari

Ferrari is one of the benchmark prestige marques for value retention. It has global recognition, controlled supply, motorsport heritage, strong auction history and a deep collector base.

In Australia, Ferrari value is strongest when the car combines rarity, local delivery, desirable specification, low kilometres, authorised or respected specialist service history and clean ownership records.

The strongest modern Ferrari segments usually include:

• limited-production halo cars;
• special-series V8 models;
• selected manual V8 and V12 models;
• front-engine V12 cars in desirable specification;
• low-kilometre original examples;
• Australian-delivered cars with complete books;
• cars with Ferrari Classiche certification;
• models linked to rarity, motorsport or cultural significance.

Relevant examples include the 458 Speciale, 488 Pista, F12tdf, 812 Competizione, 599 GTO, Challenge Stradale, 430 Scuderia and selected manual V8 and V12 cars.

Ferrari also shows why marque alone is not enough. A rare, well documented, Australian-delivered Ferrari can attract serious demand. A poorly maintained, accident-repaired, unusually specified or high-kilometre example may be far less liquid.

In Australia, Ferrari is one of the strongest badges, but the best results still require the right car.

02Porsche

Porsche has one of the broadest and most liquid enthusiast markets in Australia. It benefits from usability, motorsport credibility, parts support, dealer network depth, strong club culture and a large base of informed buyers.

The 911 remains the centre of the Porsche market, but value retention is strongest in the right variants.

The strongest Porsche segments usually include:

• 911 GT3, GT3 RS, GT2 and GT2 RS;
• limited-production 911 variants;
• manual transmission cars;
• Turbo S models with desirable specification;
• Carrera GT and 918 Spyder;
• 911 Sport Classic, 911 Dakar and 911 S/T;
• rare paint-to-sample examples;
• low-kilometre Australian-delivered cars;
• well documented cars with Porsche or respected specialist service history.

Porsche is often more liquid than many exotic marques because more buyers understand the model hierarchy. That also means buyers are better informed. A base 911, GT3, RS, Turbo S and limited-production model are not valued in the same way.

In Australia, Porsche value is strongest where scarcity meets usability.

03Lamborghini

Lamborghini has a narrower but highly visible market. The marque is emotionally strong, but values are more selective than Ferrari or Porsche.

In Australia, the strongest examples are usually limited-production cars, special variants, manual cars, low-kilometre examples and cars in desirable colours.

The strongest Lamborghini segments usually include:

• Aventador SV, SVJ and Ultimae;
• Huracan STO, Performante and Tecnica;
• Gallardo Superleggera manual;
• Murcielago manual;
• rare factory colours and specifications;
• Australian-delivered cars with complete history.

Lamborghini can be very strong when the car has rarity, presence and low supply. It can also be selective. Some standard modern examples may still depreciate before stabilising, especially when kilometres, maintenance, clutch life, accident history or specification weaken demand.

04McLaren

McLaren is a serious high-end performance marque, but its value profile is more uneven.

The strongest McLaren cars tend to be limited-production, track-focused or clearly positioned as halo models. Standard series-production cars can depreciate more heavily before the market finds a floor.

The strongest McLaren segments usually include:

• P1, Senna, Speedtail and Elva;
• 675LT, 765LT and 600LT;
• rare MSO specifications;
• low-kilometre cars with complete authorised service history.

In Australia, McLaren buyers often pay close attention to service history, warranty position, known model issues, specification and local support. The badge is strong, but buyer depth can be thinner than Porsche or Ferrari. That means sale timing and sale channel matter.

A special McLaren can be highly desirable. A standard model with weak history can be difficult to defend at an optimistic number.

05Mercedes-AMG

Mercedes-AMG is strongest when the car is limited, special, naturally aspirated, V8 or V12 powered, or clearly connected to AMG's performance identity.

The broader Mercedes-Benz range should not be treated as collectible simply because it was expensive when new. Large luxury sedans and SUVs can depreciate heavily. The value-retention case is strongest for selected AMG models.

The strongest AMG segments usually include:

• SLS AMG;
• AMG GT Black Series and AMG GT R Pro;
• CLK DTM AMG;
• SL65 AMG Black Series and C63 AMG Black Series;
• selected limited G-Class AMG variants;
• low-kilometre V8 and V12 AMG models;
• rare colours and limited-production cars;
• well documented Australian-delivered examples.

AMG value depends heavily on model hierarchy. A Black Series car is not comparable with a standard AMG sedan. A rare, low-kilometre, well documented AMG can be strong. A high-kilometre luxury AMG with expensive deferred maintenance may be much less liquid.

06Aston Martin

Aston Martin has strong emotional appeal, British heritage and cultural recognition, but value retention is uneven.

In Australia, the strongest Aston Martin values usually sit in rare, manual, limited-production or highly specified cars.

The strongest Aston Martin segments usually include:

• DBS Superleggera and Vanquish S;
• V12 Vantage manual and V12 Vantage S manual;
• Vantage GT12 and Vantage GT8;
• One-77 and Vulcan;
• Zagato-bodied modern models;
• low-kilometre cars with complete history;
• rare colours and special specifications.

Aston Martin needs model-level assessment. The badge is attractive, but it does not protect every model from depreciation. A rare manual V12 or limited-production special may be desirable. A more common automatic grand tourer with deferred maintenance may be harder to defend.

07Rolls-Royce

Rolls-Royce is a prestige marque, but it does not behave like Ferrari or Porsche.

New and near-new Rolls-Royce models can depreciate materially, especially where the original specification is highly personal. The strongest cars are usually those with broad buyer appeal, restrained specification, low kilometres, complete service records and clear ownership history.

The strongest Rolls-Royce segments usually include:

• Phantom and Cullinan;
• Ghost Black Badge and Wraith Black Badge;
• Dawn;
• limited Bespoke or special collection cars;
• cars with conservative and desirable specification;
• low-kilometre Australian-delivered examples.

Rolls-Royce value is highly sensitive to condition, colour, interior taste, service history and ownership costs. A distinctive bespoke specification may be expensive when new but harder to resell if the next buyer does not share the original owner's taste.

08Bentley

Bentley sits in a similar position to Rolls-Royce, but with a stronger performance and grand touring identity.

The strongest Bentley examples tend to be limited-production, performance-focused, low-kilometre and well specified. Standard luxury sedans and older grand tourers may depreciate heavily if maintenance costs and buyer depth are unfavourable.

The strongest Bentley segments usually include:

• Continental GT Speed and Continental Supersports;
• Mulliner variants;
• Bentayga Speed;
• Mulsanne Speed;
• limited-production coachbuilt or special edition cars;
• low-kilometre Australian-delivered examples;
• cars with complete Bentley service records.

Bentley value depends on taste as much as badge. Colour, interior trim, wheel choice, options and condition can all materially affect buyer demand.

09BMW M

BMW M is strongest where the model has a clear enthusiast following, limited supply, manual transmission, low kilometres or special-series status.

The strongest BMW M segments usually include:

• M3 CS and M3 CSL;
• M4 CSL;
• M2 CS;
• M5 CS;
• 1M Coupe;
• Z8;
• low-kilometre manual M cars;
• rare colours and limited-production variants.

BMW M value is sensitive to modification, service history, accident history and usage. Many cars are driven hard or altered. The best examples are usually original, low-kilometre, well documented and free of questionable modifications.

What usually does not hold value well

Some cars carry prestigious badges but still depreciate heavily.

The weaker value-retention categories often include:

• standard luxury sedans;
• large luxury SUVs without special specification;
• common automatic grand tourers;
• cars with highly personalised colours or interiors;
• vehicles with expensive options but limited resale appeal;
• high-kilometre supercars with deferred maintenance;
• accident-repaired prestige cars;
• poorly documented imports;
• cars with incomplete service history;
• modified cars without specialist buyer demand;
• vehicles with finance, written-off or unclear title history.

This does not mean these cars have no value. It means the owner should not assume they hold value simply because the badge is prestigious.

Australian-specific value risks

Luxury Car Tax and transaction cost

Luxury Car Tax affects the economics of new and imported prestige cars in Australia where it applies. For 2025-26, the ATO lists the LCT threshold as $91,387 for fuel-efficient vehicles and $80,567 for other luxury vehicles. [3]

For valuation, LCT does not automatically determine used-car value. It affects total acquisition cost and can influence whether buyers choose a local car, a new allocation or an imported alternative.

Import approval and compliance

Import history matters. The Australian Government states that import approval is required before importing a road vehicle into Australia. It is an offence to import a road vehicle into Australia without approval under section 22 of the Road Vehicle Standards Act 2018. [2]

For value purposes, a clean import file can support confidence. Missing or unclear import documents can reduce buyer depth, especially for high-value cars where buyers expect clean provenance.

PPSR and encumbrance checks

A PPSR search can show whether a vehicle is recorded as free from debt and may show whether it is recorded as stolen or written off.

For prestige cars, PPSR status should not be treated as a minor administrative point. Finance, stolen status, written-off history or inconsistent identifiers can materially affect saleability.

New Vehicle Efficiency Standard

The New Vehicle Efficiency Standard sets CO2 emissions targets for new passenger cars and light commercial vehicles entering the Australian market from 1 July 2025. [4]

Its direct impact on collectible prestige cars is still developing. The more immediate relevance is supply. Policy settings can influence which high-performance models manufacturers choose to bring to Australia, how many arrive and how buyers think about future internal-combustion performance cars.

Why advertised prices are not value

A common mistake is to search online listings, find the highest advertised price and assume that is the value of the car. That rarely gives an accurate result.

Advertised prices show what sellers want. They do not show what buyers will pay, how long the car has been listed, what defects are hidden, whether finance is owing, whether the car has accident history or whether the car actually sold.

The more useful figure is realisable value: the amount the car may reasonably achieve after condition, documentation, negotiation, fees, timing and sale channel are considered.

A dealer offer may be lower than a public listing because the dealer is taking stock risk, warranty exposure, rectification cost, financing cost, marketing cost and holding time. Auction may achieve a strong result for the right car, but it depends on timing, reserve strategy, buyer depth and presentation. Private sale may produce a stronger gross figure, but it requires trust, secure payment, inspections, title checks and patience.

There is no single universal value. There is a market range, and then there is the likely outcome for your car.

The sale channel changes the number

A prestige car can have several different values at the same time.

When assessing a car as a realisable private asset, we look not only at public asking prices, but also at buyer depth, comparable sales, documentation strength, condition risk and the most realistic sale channel for the owner's timeframe.

A prestige car can have several different values at the same time.

Dealer purchase value

Usually the fastest and cleanest route. The dealer buys the car outright, then takes stock risk, rectification risk, marketing cost, warranty exposure and holding time. Because of that, the offer is usually below the final retail asking price.

Consignment value

May produce a higher result than an immediate dealer sale, but usually takes longer. The owner keeps title until the vehicle sells, and the dealer or platform takes a commission.

Auction estimate

Auction can work well for rare, important, low-kilometre or highly documented cars. It is less predictable for standard modern luxury cars where buyers have many alternatives.

Auction results can be strong when several qualified buyers compete. They can disappoint when estimates are ambitious, reserves are too high or the car is not special enough for the buyer pool.

Private sale value

A private sale may produce a strong gross price, but it requires time, negotiation, inspections, secure payment and title confidence. For high-value vehicles, the additional risk may outweigh the extra return.

What specialists usually ask for first

Before giving a serious indication, a specialist will usually ask for:

• marque, model and year;
• VIN or chassis number;
• odometer reading;
• Australian-delivered or imported status;
• import approval and compliance documents, if imported;
• factory specification and options;
• transmission type;
• paint and interior colour;
• service books and invoices;
• ownership history;
• accident, repair or insurance history;
• PPSR and registration status;
• warranty status, if relevant;
• photos of exterior, interior, engine bay, wheels, tyres and underbody;
• photos of books, manuals, keys, tools and accessories;
• details of modifications, paintwork or repairs;
• preferred sale or lending timeframe.

For high-value vehicles, physical inspection is usually required before relying on a final number.

Common mistakes owners make

Checklist before requesting an assessment

Frequently asked questions

Sources and references

1. ↑ Australian Automotive Dealer Association — New Vehicle Sales 2025
2. ↑ a b Department of Infrastructure — Importing a road vehicle into Australia
3. ↑ a b Australian Taxation Office — Luxury Car Tax thresholds for 2025-26
4. ↑ New Vehicle Efficiency Standard Regulator — What is the New Vehicle Efficiency Standard?

5. ↑ CLASSIC.COM — 2025 Half-Time Report
6. ↑ CLASSIC.COM and Hagerty — 6 months of the 2025 market in 4 charts
7. ↑ Knight Frank Australia — Luxury investment market stabilises as collectors pivot to rarity and provenance

Written by

Eden John

Asset Specialist · MBA Qualified

Eden works across private asset assessment, asset-backed finance and high-value collateral strategy, focusing on how realisable value forms in specialist markets such as luxury cars, fine watches, jewellery, art and other private assets.

His approach considers liquidity, condition risk, documentation strength, likely sale channel and time-to-sale rather than advertised price alone.