If you’ve looked at used listings lately, you already know this: the Mercedes EQS resale value forecast is not pretty. In just a few years, Mercedes’ electric flagship has gone from six‑figure status symbol to one of the steepest‑depreciating luxury EVs on the market, which is terrible news if you bought new, and potentially fantastic news if you’re shopping used.
Snapshot: EQS value drop so far
Why Mercedes EQS resale value matters now
The EQS launched as Mercedes’ technological moonshot: a silent, hyper‑aerodynamic S‑Class alternative with a massive battery and the so‑called Hyperscreen. On paper, it should have been a resale rock. Instead, the market has treated it like a hot laptop, excellent when new, unwanted as soon as the next chip arrives. Understanding why the EQS has stumbled on resale value helps you decide whether to buy one used at a discount, hang onto the one you own, or get out while values are still respectable.
- New EQS prices were extremely high at launch, creating a long way to fall on the used market.
- Luxury EV demand has cooled while incentives and tax credits are shifting.
- Rapid EV tech improvements make early EQS models look old fast.
- Mercedes is already rethinking its EQ strategy in the U.S., adding uncertainty.
Important context for any EQS forecast
How the Mercedes EQS is actually depreciating today
Let’s anchor the conversation with numbers. Across trims, a new Mercedes EQS typically carried an MSRP around $100,000–$120,000 when it launched. In today’s used market, it’s behaving more like a gadget than a German flagship sedan.
Current Mercedes EQS depreciation snapshot
In practical terms, that means some early EQS 450+ models with original stickers around $102,000 have been spotted in the low‑$40,000s just a couple of years later. Others sit on dealer lots for weeks or months, nudged downward by constant price cuts on new inventory and generous lease deals that undercut used pricing.
How to read EQS price listings
Key forces driving EQS resale values down
Why the EQS is losing value so quickly
Four big forces pushing used EQS prices down
Aggressive launch pricing
Mercedes priced the EQS like an S‑Class replacement, often deep into six figures. When the market cooled and leases got cheap, early buyers were left holding the bag, and used values had a huge distance to fall.
Fast EV tech turnover
Three‑ to four‑year‑old EQS models face newer EVs with more range, faster charging, and better software at similar or lower prices. That tech gap drags on resale.
Luxury EV demand softening
Higher interest rates, fading federal credits, and a maturing EV market mean luxury EVs aren’t selling like 2021. When new demand slows, used prices suffer too.
Policy & strategy uncertainty
Mercedes has signaled a shift away from some EQ models in the U.S., including pausing orders for the EQS. Buyers don’t like uncertainty, and it shows up in hesitation on the used market.
The risk of future fire‑sale pricing
Mercedes EQS resale value forecast: 2026–2030
Forecasting resale is part data science, part weather report. For the Mercedes EQS resale value forecast, we’ll assume today’s trends continue: rapid early‑year depreciation tapering into a slower, more predictable slide as the car ages and bottoms out with a core of value‑oriented buyers.
Indicative Mercedes EQS resale value forecast (U.S.)
Illustrative forecast for a well‑kept EQS 450+ that originally stickered around $105,000, assuming average mileage and no major accidents. These are directional estimates, not guarantees.
| Model year & age | Calendar year | Estimated private‑party value | Approx. % of original MSRP | Market notes |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2023 EQS (3 yrs old) | 2026 | $38,000–$45,000 | 36–43% | Deep early depreciation; values stabilizing as used buyers recognize the discount. |
| 2023 EQS (5 yrs old) | 2028 | $28,000–$34,000 | 27–32% | Competing with newer EVs but still attractive as a ‘used S‑Class‑like’ EV. |
| 2023 EQS (7 yrs old) | 2030 | $22,000–$28,000 | 21–27% | Battery warranty window closing; condition and pack health dominate pricing. |
| 2025 EQS (3 yrs old) | 2029 | $42,000–$50,000 | 40–48% | Later‑build cars may hold slightly better if tech and software are improved. |
Projected trajectory if current market conditions and EV tech trends continue.
How conservative is this forecast?
Who this is good for
- Buyers who want flagship comfort and tech at mid‑tier luxury prices.
- Drivers putting moderate miles on the car and planning to keep it 5–7 years.
- Shoppers who care more about refinement than bleeding‑edge EV specs.
Who should be cautious
- Owners who bought new at or near MSRP and plan to sell within 3–4 years.
- Buyers sensitive to another potential value step‑down if Mercedes redesigns or replaces the EQS quickly.
- Anyone unwilling to verify battery health before committing.
How battery health affects your EQS resale value
Underneath the leather and LED mood lighting, the EQS is a big battery on wheels. The state of that battery will dominate its resale value through the late 2020s, especially once the generous factory warranty horizon comes into view.
- EQS battery coverage can be up to 10 years / 155,000 miles, which helps calm buyer nerves in the early years.
- Once a specific car is approaching that 8–10‑year mark, verified battery health becomes more important than model year on its own.
- Range loss of 10–20% over the first decade is plausible; bigger losses raise eyebrows and depress offers.
- A clean battery health report can be the difference between a quick sale and weeks of low‑ball bids.
Use battery diagnostics as leverage
Every used EV sold through Recharged includes a Recharged Score Report with verified battery health, so you’re not guessing about the most expensive component on the car. For a complex, tech‑heavy flagship like the EQS, that kind of transparency is more than nice to have, it’s central to knowing whether you’re getting a bargain or a liability.
Buying a used EQS: bargain or money pit?
On the one hand, the EQS is the answer to a question almost no one was asking: “What if an S‑Class and a sci‑fi pod had a very plush baby?” On the other hand, that eccentricity plus heavy early depreciation makes it an intriguing used buy if you know what you’re doing.
Used Mercedes EQS buyer’s checklist
1. Decide how long you’ll keep it
If you plan to own the car for 5–7 years, you’re amortizing the worst of the depreciation someone else already paid. Flipping it again in 2–3 years is riskier.
2. Verify battery and high‑voltage health
Get a detailed battery health report and check for any high‑voltage system repairs. On a six‑figure EV, these systems matter more than cosmetic nicks.
3. Check software and feature updates
Confirm the car has latest software, intact driver‑assist features, and no lingering infotainment glitches. A buggy Hyperscreen will kneecap your enjoyment and your resale.
4. Inspect suspension, brakes, and tires
EQS weight and torque are hard on consumables. Worn air suspension or tires can be a four‑figure surprise that eats into the ‘deal’ you thought you were getting.
5. Look at real transaction prices
Ask to see recent sold comps, not just list prices. Platforms like Recharged price cars against current <strong>fair market data</strong>, so you can anchor your expectations.
6. Factor in charging realities
If you mostly drive in an area with sparse DC fast‑charging or unreliable public networks, the EQS’s big pack can be overkill. Make sure your <a href="/articles/home-ev-charging-guide">home charging setup</a> is squared away.
When a used EQS makes a ton of sense
Selling or trading an EQS: strategies to limit losses
If you bought an EQS new, you’ve already watched a chunky slice of value evaporate. You can’t rewind that movie, but you can manage the final act: when and how you exit the car.
Timing your sale
- Consider selling before the battery warranty window gets short, buyers pay a premium for coverage.
- Avoid dumping the car right after a major facelift or new‑gen EV launch that makes your EQS look suddenly old.
- Watch interest rates; when credit loosens, big‑ticket used EVs become easier to move.
Maximizing what you get
- Document maintenance, software updates, and any warranty work in a neat folder.
- Invest in a meticulous detail, luxury EV buyers shop as much with their eyes as with spreadsheets.
- Compare instant offers, trade‑in values, and private‑party pricing. Platforms like Recharged can help you get a data‑backed number without haggling at a showroom.
Consider an instant offer or consignment
Mercedes EQS vs rivals: resale comparison
The EQS isn’t depreciating in a vacuum; all luxury EVs are wrestling with the same gravitational forces. But within that group, the EQS has been particularly punished.
How the EQS stacks up against other luxury EVs
Approximate resale performance over roughly five years, based on recent market analyses and used‑price tracking. These are directional, model‑line comparisons, not trim‑by‑trim math.
| Model | Original MSRP (approx.) | Avg. 5‑yr used price | Estimated value loss % | Resale verdict |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Mercedes EQS | $104,000 | $41,000 | ~60% | One of the steepest‑depreciating luxury EV sedans. |
| Tesla Model S | $75,000 | $28,000 | ~63% | Also hit hard, but earlier pricing and brand cachet help demand. |
| Jaguar I‑Pace | $72,000 | $20,000 | ~72% | Resale disaster; poor range and demand issues. |
| Audi Q8 e‑tron | $74,000 | $21,000 | ~72% | Deep cuts as incentives and fresh competition bite. |
| Mainstream gas S‑Class | $115,000 | $55,000 | ~52% | Still depreciates heavily, but less brutally than many EVs. |
Luxury EVs have all taken hits, but some have held up better than others.
Don’t compare EQS resale to average used‑car charts
FAQ: Mercedes EQS resale and depreciation
Frequently asked questions about Mercedes EQS resale value
Bottom line: is the Mercedes EQS a good resale bet?
If your definition of a “good resale bet” is something you buy new, drive for three years, and flip for a song, the Mercedes EQS is not your car. Its early depreciation has been brutal, and there’s real risk of further weakness if incentives shift again or Mercedes pivots away from the current EQS formula. But if you come in on the second or third owner rung, after someone else has paid that initial tech‑luxury tax, the EQS transforms from problem child to opportunity: a whisper‑quiet, deeply comfortable flagship available for the price of a well‑equipped mid‑size crossover.
The smart move is to treat the Mercedes EQS resale value forecast as a roadmap, not a prophecy. Use it to time your entry and exit, to insist on real battery‑health and pricing data, and to choose the ownership window that makes sense for you. And if you’d rather not navigate that alone, Recharged can help you buy a used EV or sell the one in your driveway with expert EV guidance, transparent diagnostics, and a clear picture of what your EQS is really worth today.
