THE Mercedes C-Class was the most searched-for car on leading car and van leasing site ContractHireAndLeasing.com in 2012. In fact, Mercedes’ company car favourite was the top search not only for businesses but for personal customers as well.

Among business customers, the Mercedes E-Class was also a popular search, but it had to yield second place in the rankings to Land Rover’s Range Rover Evoque, which shows no signs of flagging in the market-place more than a year after it was introduced.

The E-Class was, however, the second most searched-for car among personal leasing customers, followed by BMW’s 3-Series.

With plenty of new models due this year, the league tables could see some changes in 2013. According to ContractHireAndLeasing.com marketing manager, Richard Lawton “With a new facelifted E-Class out now, a new generation Volkswagen Golf now making deliveries and a BMW 4 Series out soon, we expect that these models will have a big impact on the market through 2013. Expect to see the continued success of the Range Rover Evoque too, which is proving to be a big hit with business and personal customers”.

On the general market situation, he added “Although the UK car market remains down on pre-recession highs, we expect that 2013 to show further signs of recovery, with leasing, of course, an affordable way for motorists to get the car they really want; with monthly payments typically lower than with a purchase finance agreement”.

Top Ten Business Leasing Searches:

1. Mercedes-Benz C Class

2. Range Rover Evoque

3. Mercedes-Benz E Class

4. BMW 3-Series

5. Audi A5

6. BMW 5-Series

7. Audi A3

8. Volkswagen Golf

9. Mercedes-Benz SLK

10. Audi A4

Top Ten Personal Leasing Searches:

1. Mercedes-Benz C Class

2. Mercedes-Benz E Class

3. BMW 3-Series

4. Mercedes-Benz SLK

5. Volkswagen Golf

6. Range Rover Evoque

7. Audi A3

8. Audi A5

9. BMW 1-Series

10. BMW 5-Series