Verdict

Jaguar XF

BOUGHT new the XF trails these two, but it remains an excellent used exec buy, plus it’s difficult to ignore the value served up by older, high and midmileage examples on sale.

BMW 5 Series

IT’S still the best premium saloon out there right now, but second-hand prices have yet to mature for the 5 Series. Wait a while for values to fall, though, and you’ll bag a superb car.

Mercedes E-class

THE sumptuous E-class misses out for now. Prices don’t undercut the better 5 Series by enough, and the Jaguar still has it beaten on value by some margin.