Best Used Luxury Car
Luxury cars can be an expensive proposition to buy and run, but pick up any of our top cars and you won't regret it.
Winner: Mercedes S-Class
(2006 to date) Prices: £23,000-£55,000
No luxury car comes close to the S-Class as a used buy. Mercedes’ flagship model has comfort, refinement and gadgets galore, which is why it’s topped the class since it arrived in 2006 – and why it has been our best used luxury car for two years in a row. Top-end saloons shed their value extremely fast, so an early S-Class now looks like a bargain at less than £25,000.
Build quality is exceptional and the mechanicals are robust, while advanced kit inside includes a night view camera and radar-based cruise control. It’s a good idea to try out as much of the technology as you can before handing over your cash – you’re looking at a big repair bill if anything doesn’t work.
Most cars will have been well maintained, and high mileages are nothing to worry about as it’s so bulletproof. Ex-professional limos or hire cars are worth seeking out – they will have been looked after and are fantastic value. AMG V8 and V12 models have huge power, but they’re rare and costly to run. The 3.0-litre S320 or later S350 CDI diesels are more common, and can return 30mpg.
Nearly New: BMW 7-Series
(2002-2008) Prices: £8,500-£35,000
Big Beemer now looks an absolute steal. Arrival of current 7-Series in 2008 has driven down prices of the previous version, but even early models have sharp handling and fine engines. Check out BMW forecourts for late low-milers.
Value Choice: VW Phaeton
(2003 to date) Prices: £8,000-£30,000
Any used Phaeton will have been battered by depreciation, and it’s a shrewd second-hand buy. Early examples are now yours for as little as £8,000 – some cost even less! Never has the phrase ‘a lot of car for the money’ been so appropriate.
