Skip advert
Advertisement

Mercedes S-Class

Years built: 2006 to date Prices: £16,000-£75,000 Our pick: S350 CDI

Mercedes S-Class

It's a used car hat-trick for the S-Class. Put simply, there’s no better top-end second-hand buy. An impeccable reputation for durability is backed up by a hi-tech, high-quality interior.

As with all luxury cars, the Mercedes loses value quickly, which is great news for used buyers. Early examples are now well below £20,000, but don’t be tempted to buy a less-than-perfect model on the cheap, as repairs will be costly. Test all the gadgets to ensure everything works correctly.

Advertisement - Article continues below

High mileage isn’t an issue as long as the car has been properly serviced, so it’s worth considering ex-professional limos and hire cars, as they’re usually pampered. However, hi-tech options may not feature on these working models. There’s no doubt that the best buys are the diesels. The S320 CDI was replaced by the more efficient S350 CDI in 2009, but they’re both refined and relatively economical.

Long-wheelbase variants are desirable but costlier. If money is no object, you could pick up one of the rapid AMG versions.

Driver Power 2011

What you said: “The longer I’ve owned my S320 CDI, the more I appreciate what a superb all-rounder it is. Given its size and pace, economy is good, and no rival can offer the sheer sense of pride in ownership.”

Value choice

VW Phaeton

Skip advert
Advertisement
Skip advert
Advertisement - Article continues below

2003 to date

Understated VW luxury car is virtually invisible in the prestige sector as a new buy, but the savage depreciation this brings means it’s great value used. Prices start from only £6,000. Even better news is that the Phaeton is a hugely impressive package in all other respects – so if you don’t mind the badge, it’s a brilliant choice.

Nearly new

Jaguar XJ

2010 to date

The latest XJ was launched in 2010, yet you can pick up one of the first examples for just under £40,000 – that’s about £15,000 less than a brand new one. It’s the most dynamic choice in the limo sector, while limited rear headroom confirms its position as a top pick for used car drivers, rather than passengers.

The Categories

Best City Car: Hyundai i10

Best Supermini: Ford Fiesta

Best Compact Family Car: Ford Focus

Best Estate: Skoda Octavia Estate

Best Supermini-MPV: Honda Jazz

Best Family Car: Ford Mondeo

Best Compact SUV: Land Rover Freelander 2

Best Crossover: Nissan Qashqai

Best Large SUV: Land Rover Discovery 3

Best Compact Executive: BMW 3 Series

Best Executive Car: Jaguar XF

Best Coupe: Audi TT MkII

Best MPV: Ford S-MAX

Best Cabriolet: Audi A4 Cabriolet

Best Hot Hatch: Volkswagen Golf GTI MkV

Best Luxury Car: Mercedes S-Class

Used Car Scheme of the Year: Kia

Used Car of the Year: Ford Fiesta

Skip advert
Advertisement
Skip advert
Advertisement

Most Popular

Road tax set to rise in April: here’s how much more you’ll pay
Road tax documentation
News

Road tax set to rise in April: here’s how much more you’ll pay

Drivers with newer cars will now pay £10 more per year, although the biggest gas guzzlers fare even worse
28 Mar 2024
Posh new trim level for Dacia Sandero while the Sandero Stepway gets more power
Dacia Sandero - front
News

Posh new trim level for Dacia Sandero while the Sandero Stepway gets more power

Both the Sandero and Sandero Stepway ranges have been tweaked, gaining more safety features to meet the latest regulations
26 Mar 2024
Car Deal of the Day: updated Skoda Enyaq at 0% APR and a free home wallbox charger thrown in
Skoda Enyaq iV - front cornering
News

Car Deal of the Day: updated Skoda Enyaq at 0% APR and a free home wallbox charger thrown in

Skoda’s family-friendly EV with 348-mile range is our Car Deal of the Day for 26 March
26 Mar 2024