My brother-in-law buys from the auction and sells 'em on private and he and a few mates of his who are in the trade will not touch "prestige" cars at the moment unless they are WELL below the guide. They cannot shift them on. And cars sat on forecourts lose money.
Cheap Mercs Lex and BMWs are plentiful and unless he already has a buyer looking for that type of motor he won't bid on them. That is why "Trade in values" are low. They don't want them stood around. It really is a buyers market at the moment. My sister runs a nice BMW 'cos she got it so cheap,low mileage and FSH It's cheaper to run it than sell it at the moment.
This year will see a glut of used "Prestige" or heavy MPG cars on the market. With Road Tax and fuel prices +Morgage rates and house prices falling,people have to save money and getting rid of high MPG cars is a first option.
I have had my RX for over 4 years and I have NEVER owned a car that long. I would usually have been in something else by now. but I reckon that by keeping it another year it will not affect my selling price next year. One thing for sure is that I will be buying from auction. FSH and warranties on a lot of what goes through there. It's not like the old days when you"Pay's your money and take's your chance"