Longer lease lengths are increasingly proving popular amongst business car buyers amidst Brexit and the general new car market uncertainty, new data from Leasing.com suggests, but there has only been a marginal shift by contrast to private buyers.

Mercedes-Benz rules the roost in the March 2019 Leasing.com business league table

Though 24- and 36-month leases remain the majority of vehicle leases sought by businesses, there has been a 7% year-on-year increase to March in 48-month leases, with 60-month contracts remaining flat. This bucks the private-buying trend, which has observed a year-on-year increase of 190% towards shorter 18-month leases with a one-month initial payment and therefore less money upfront.

The figures demonstrate that despite Brexit uncertainty, business enquiries on Leasing.com have largely unchanged during the past year, whereas private buyers appear to be dissuaded from taking out lengthier leases.

Mercedes-Benz remains the most popular brand to lease for businesses, according to Leasing.com’s league table that looks at the volume of enquiries it receives, with the E-Class, C-Class and A-Class ruling the roost, followed by the Volkswagen Golf in fourth.

Paul Harrison said: “Mercedes-Benz continues to shine thanks to a wide range of vehicles at extremely attractive monthly prices. The brand’s line-up is more varied than ever, and we expect Mercedes-Benz to do well throughout 2019.”

The premium-priced Range Rover Sport enters the list at number five, followed by the Range Rover Velar in seventh place, intercepted by the BMW 5 Series in sixth. Meanwhile, the BMW 4 Series and Audi A6 round out positions eight and nine, followed by the BMW M2 premium compact sports car in tenth.