Having made its debut...

Having made its debut in the smash-hit James Bond movie, Casino Royale, the stylish family car arrives here in June, and is set to undercut its predecessor by as much as ?300. However, according to Glass’s Guide, there’s bad news for used buyers looking for a top deal, as it will have better residuals than the outgoing machine. That’s because the Mondeo is expected to retain 35 per cent of its value at trade-in time after three years, while the current car holds on to only 29 per cent over the same period. Estate models – which are scheduled to appear in showrooms at the same time as the new saloon and hatchback variants – will perform even more strongly, retaining 36 per cent of their original value.

“In the past, the Mondeo has never really been an emotional purchase, but Ford has managed to give the latest car more of a premium feel inside and out, and this has injected a much needed shot of desirability into the range,” explained Glass’s forecasting editor, Jason King.

In the new line-up, the 2.0-litre TDCi diesel model, in five-door Zetec trim, has a starting price of ?18,197, and Glass’s estimates it will be worth ?6,300 after three years and 60,000 miles. By comparison, the equivalent variant in the outgoing range has a list price some ?300 higher, yet is worth only ?5,450 at the crucial 36-month mark.