RECENT cold weather has boosted an already strong demand for 4x4 vehicles, says used car pricing experts Glass's Information Services.

The company says the seasonal trend has affected values across the market and older off-roaders are proving especially popular with private buyers at auctions. On dealer forecourts, it adds, demand for prestige sector sports utility vehicles (SUVs) 'is among the highest for any type of car'.

Glass's specialist car editor Richard Crosthwaite said: 'Interest in the BMW X5 is remarkable, despite the fact that the car has now been on sale in the UK for nearly three years. One-year-old examples of the 3.0-litre diesel X5 are typically retailing at up to £1,000 above list price and petrol models rarely sell at more than £1,000 below.

'Mercedes' ML class may not be in its first flush of youth, but after 12 months the ML270 CDi can still achieve its original purchase price on the used market.'