Executive decision

Which of these three classy diesel saloons is the best second-hand buy?

Mercedes E-class

E 220 d AMG Line auto

Years: 2016 to date Engine: 2.0-litre 4cyl, 191bhp Ins group: 31 Official econ/co2: 72.4mpg/102g/km Why? E-class is the most modern car of these three, borrowing cabin tech from the larger S-class limo.

Prices from:

£24,980 SIFTING through the classifieds reveals the latest Mercedes E-class is the priciest car of our trio to buy second-hand. It is the most up to date, with its technology seriously impressing. Highlights include a dual 12.3-inch infotainment screen, and optional Driving Assistance Plus for semi-autonomous driving on motorways.

Elsewhere, refinement is class leading, and it’s the cleanest car, too, with official CO2 emissions of 102g/km. A 540-litre boot matches the Jag’s. The E-class was too new to feature in Driver Power, but Mercedes placed a disappointing 22nd overall.

Audi A6

A6 2.0 TDI SE S tronic

Years: 2015 to date Engine: 2.0-litre 4cyl, 187bhp Ins group: 33 Official econ/co2: 67.3mpg/110g/km Why? Cheap examples on the second-hand market make the Audi A6 a really tempting choice.

Prices from:

£18,500 CARS in the executive class tend to have long lifespans, but the current-generation Audi A6 has been around for a while now – a 2015 facelift aside, it’s six years old, making it no spring chicken alongside the much newer and fresher Jaguar XF and Mercedes E-class.

However, it’s a modern-looking car that drives well and is economical on paper. The 530-litre boot is the smallest here, though, and climbing inside reveals its true age, with an interior that feels slightly outdated due to an old-fashioned infotainment system.

The Audi ranked in a strong 34th place in our Driver Power 2017 new car survey.

Jaguar XF

XF R-sport 2.0d 180 auto

Years: 2015 to date Engine: 2.0-litre 4cyl, 178bhp Ins group: 27 Official econ/co2: 65.7mpg/114g/km Why? The Jaguar XF stands out in this company for the way it drives and its sleek looks.

Prices from:

£20,980 UNTIL the arrival of the new Mercedes E-class last year, the Jaguar XF was our pick in the executive class thanks to its exciting driving characteristics and sporty styling.

While these two strong selling points remain, it can’t match the Mercedes for refinement and comfort, and it lacks some of the cutting-edge tech found on the fresher E-class, too. A 540-litre boot makes it slightly more practical than the Audi A6, and it also slots into the lowest insurance group here.

The XF finished 52nd in our Driver Power 2017 survey, with Jaguar as a brand placing a respectable 13th out of 27 manufacturers.