LEASING companies are taking advantage of buying prestige cars from Europe with better savings on offer than in the UK. The discounts offered on prestige models such as BMW, Mercedes-Benz and Land Rover are proving too attractive to ignore but are only being bought in small numbers.

In the UK savings on vehicles at the top end of the market are virtually non-existent, while dealers in Europe are able to offer discounts in the region of 10%. But most admit the advantages are only temporary and are dependent on a variety of factors, including variations in currency, taxes and manufacturer discounts.

Andrew Cope, managing director of Zenith Vehicle Contracts, has bought a handful of prestige cars and has several more on order. He said: 'The whole thing is very volatile and could disappear in six months.' Len Clayton, managing director of Interleasing, said: 'Buying abroad and through these channels will take off and we already do it, although it is not universally true that cars are cheaper on the continent because of manufacturers' pricing structures based on local taxation levels.'