By Richard Crosthwaite, prestige car editor, Glass’s

EASTER is just around the corner so buyers are starting to wake up to what’s available. Here are the key trends in the prestige car end of the market. 

What’s hot?

Audi Q3. It’s new so there is keen interest in this compact SUV as it hits the used car market. Like the new BMW X3, it is likely that a sensible supply the next six months will see them getting top retail prices, and certainly for the next year the Q3 is likely to remain ‘best in class’. And for best of the best, based on RV performance, look no further than the 2.0D 140bhp models with their popularity boosted by the recently announced inclusion of quattro on the base engine.

Desire for something different. Whether it’s a genuine new model or a facelift, it’s all about having the very latest version and being seen to be different. Buyers are not only buying on price but are being tempted by something their neighbour hasn’t yet got. Facelift premiums have never been higher, and with all the prestige vehicle manufacturers looking to exponentially grow sales each year, the ‘pile ’em high and sell ’em cheap’ ethos forced onto the franchised network, is only likely to magnify this further.

BMW MINI. The MINI is currently on fire (with the exception of Clubman and Countryman). Values have moved up this month and dealers are reporting a lack of stock, especially so on MINI One, Cooper and convertibles. It seems hard to believe when you consider BMW have sold over 400,000 units of this iconic car in the UK since launch, but the auction statistics don’t lie!

What’s not?

BMW X1. Following over two years of rock solid values BMW’s baby SUV is looking a little dejected as it has seen values fall by over 4% in last two months. The price is due to the challenge of its new competitor the Audi Q3, the increase of supply and the “off season” for the 4×4 market. However, it may well be a good time to spring into action and buy this popular SUV as the price drop has brought this vehicle to a more realistic price point.

Jaguar XJ (pictured below). Suffering a dip in second hand values despite a very strong start to its used car life. Prices are being pulled down by increased volumes in the market due to Jaguar’s lack of a wider product offering. Despite being the newest and most daringly styled entry to this sector the value has fallen below the competitor bar the Audi A8 and additional models within Jaguar’s portfolio cannot come soon enough.

And finally what’s in a name? I fear Mercedes customers may struggle with the name of the next mini CLS coupe variant which is to be called CLC. The original CLC was the replacement for the C class sport coupe, having ended only a short time ago it is now called the C class coupe. The CLC, as was, is in a different segment to next years CLC model …I don’t understand the logic despite having a fine chap from M-B head office explain it and despite being bright eyed and bushy tailed I suspect the customers won’t either.

Click below for more:

Audi Q3 car review