Used Car of the Year Awards 2022: Luxury cars

With demand for used cars on the rise, you’ll want to know which are the best buys. That’s where our annual Used Car Awards come in. These are our favourite luxury cars...

Used Luxury Car of the Year

BMW 5 Series

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BMW 5 Series cornering front three quarters

Price from £16,000

Last year, the Audi A8 took the overall win here, but this year it’s been a lot harder to look past the sheer value of the BMW 5 Series. Here is a luxury car that’s comfortable and refined, with plenty of space for your family and anything they might want to bring with them.You get all that for relatively little cash; in fact, prices for this generation of 5 Series start from just £16,000.

While it might not have the status of the Mercedes-Benz S-Class, its infotainment system is easier to get along with, and although the Audi A8 has the edge in terms of rear seat space, the 5 Series is more fun to thread along a country road, thanks to its agile handling.

If you go for our favourite 520d diesel model, you’ll have a smooth engine that’s powerful enough for any situation yet won’t cost you a lot to run, and even the entry-level SE trim comes with all of the kit you could want. Better still, the standard 17in alloy wheels that came with SE cars are better at soaking up ruts and bumps in the road than the larger wheels you’ll find on more expensive M Sport examples.

One we found: 2017 BMW 520d SE, 62,847 miles Price £17,400

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Also consider...

Audi A8 (2017-present)

Consider the A8 if panache is higher up your list of priorities than other factors. It’s more hushed than a Mercedes-Benz S-Class, and has plenty of space in the boot for your golf clubs or Gucci cases. The interior is full of plush materials and features great tech, while our recommended 50 TDI diesel engine is pleasantly hushed, but can provide a pleasant surge of power when you need it.

One we found: 2019 Audi A8 50 TDI quattro, 27,000 miles Price £35,495

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Mercedes S-Class (2016-present)

If you have around £30,000 to spend, the S-Class offers the greatest value, even though you can get a BMW 7 Series or Jaguar XJ for similar money. Few cars will get you noticed as much as an S-Class, and there’s a lot more to enjoy besides. It also offers a truly serene experience, insulating you from the world outside and surrounding you with more opulent materials than the 5 Series.

One we found: 2016 Mercedes S350d L AMG Line, 16,977 miles Price £28,698