Highlights
- Remarkably original – almost exactly as it left the factory
- Extremely well-preserved seats
- Only two owners from new
- MoT valid until December 2023
The Appeal
There aren’t many 40-year-old cars still in regular use on the roads today, but it’s not all that unusual to see a W123 Mercedes cruising around. It isn’t surprising, either. Few cars have the same reputation for solidity, dependability and longevity that the W123 enjoys. So reliable were they that they were the car of choice for taxi drivers around the world for many years, and were especially popular in Africa because they could take all the rough terrain in their stride without breaking or wearing out. In total, over 2,375,000 W123 saloons were made, and thousands of them are still soldiering on all over the world.
So then, you can forget about Land Rovers and Jeeps – the W123 is a true go-anywhere, do-anything car, which is easy to live with in an urban environment and will traverse motorways effortlessly, in comfort and quiet luxury. The platform was so versatile that it was available as a saloon, coupé, limousine and estate but, of course, the saloon is probably the best all-rounder. Couple it with the entry-level 1997cc petrol straight-four as used in the 200, and you’ve got all the qualities you could want from an everyday workhorse.
This example is rather special, because of how well its survived over its 40-year life. ‘Two careful lady owners’ sounds like a hackneyed sales line, but here it’s true. This 200 has evidently been looked after all its life as it survives in extremely original condition, with superb upholstery and a light patina which gives it a real charm. It’s also in great mechanical health, and is just on the verge of being officially declared a historic vehicle, making it tax-free and exempt from MoTs and ULEZ charges. If there’s a classic that can serve you just as well as any modern car, this is probably it.
The History and Paperwork
- Originally finished in Deep Blue with a Cream cloth interior and fitted with a manual sliding roof, floor-change automatic gearbox, front folding armrest and radio
- Sold on 16th March 1983 by Rogers Garages, a Mitsubishi and Mercedes-Benz dealer in Paignton, Devon
- Bought new by Mrs. Doris Spurway of Torquay and, from 1985, Birstall in Leicestershire
- Purchased by the second owner in 1999 and kept in regular use until 2021
- Paperwork includes the original sales invoice, pre-delivery check sheet and Maintenance Booklet, two 1980s V5s plus the most recent V5, a couple of service invoices and some recent MoT certificates
The Interior
- Very original condition
- Seats have been kept covered so are especially well-preserved
- Lovely patina in keeping with the car’s age
The W123’s reputation for durability isn’t just restricted to mechanical parts. As this car proves, the interior trim is equally capable of defying the ravages of time. Considering virtually everything is original and as it left the factory, its condition is truly remarkable.
Without a doubt, the interior’s best feature is the seats. With extra protection afforded by some seat covers, they barely show their age at all. The front and rear armrests, carpets, headlining and door trim are also extremely good with just some very light patination, but nowhere near as much as may be expected in a 40-year-old car. We would just draw attention to the fact that the front seatbelt receivers and the rear passenger-side window winder have sustained some external damage, but their function is not impaired.
Across the dashboard, steering wheel and centre console, the Mercedes presents very well. The straightforward but attractive layout is in keeping with the functional German design ethos, but the restrained application of some wood trim makes it a pleasing, comfortable environment, too. As it stands, there’s not much we can fault with it. There’s some patination and a few light marks here or there, but its general condition is most impressive. It will be noted that the original radio has been replaced for a more modern item.
Bidders will be pleased to see that the original first-aid kit is present in its compartment on the rear parcel shelf, and that the rear window blind is present and correct.
Going into the boot, we again find everything very clean and well-presented. The carpet is very tidy and lifts to reveal a spare wheel in good condition.
The Exterior
- Desirably fitted with a sliding sunroof
- Charmingly patinated
- Very solid underside
On a modern car, any little marks or scratches would be considered blemishes. On a car like this, we cannot think of them as blemishes at all. Rather, they are the fruits of a hard-working life, of staunch and steady service over four successive decades. They are, as it were, medals of honour awarded for a long and distinguished career – the signs of a real trooper.
At 40 years old, this car really does look exceptionally good. It has an appropriate, characterful veneer of patina across the paintwork, chrome and plastic trim, but from a few paces away you’d never spot it. It’s still in a highly presentable, show-worthy condition, and its originality only adds to its appeal.
When inspecting the car, we did observe that there are perhaps four or five very shallow dimples in the roof or bonnet, which may not be easily visible in the photographs but that tells you all you need to know about them: they are scarcely visible unless you’re looking for them and they catch the light at just the right angle. Additionally, we found that, due to a defective bonnet struts, the bonnet does not support itself when opened, but that should be a straightforward thing to put right.
Where the condition really matters, of course is underneath, and we’re pleased to say that everything in that respect is extremely good. While there is some bubbling appearing around the sills and the valances, which might want nipping in the bud, all the structural metalwork is reassuringly solid, and has been examined to the full satisfaction of the MoT tester.
The Mechanics
- Starts and drives wonderfully
- Freshly serviced
- 12 months’ MoT with no advisories
It’s true what they say: the W123 is a car that will just go on and on, and this one still looks like it has lots of life in it. When we inspected it, it started up on the button, and at first ran at a rather fast idle – that was the automatic choke doing its job – before settling down after it had warmed up a bit.
Though the two-litre engine was one of the smaller ones offered in the W123, it is still eager to pull away, and the automatic gearbox is so smooth and easy that it makes the Mercedes a really relaxed, effortless car to drive. With power steering, it is no trouble at all to manoeuvre, and the brakes bring it to a nice, sharp stop.
While there is no evidence of the car having received any major attention – it has probably never needed any – it was treated to a service in July 2022, with the engine oil, gearbox oil and air filter changed, the brakes checked and the air conditioning regassed. Although it was MoTed in July with no advisories, the vendor has just put it through another test, so it now has a spotless MoT certificate for a full 12 months. Of course, as of next year, the Mercedes will be old enough to qualify for official historic status and therefore no longer require a test, but it’s still nice to know that everything is working as it should do.
The Summary
The W123 is a car which has so much going for it: good looks, everyday practicality and its famous dependability being just three things. This one is only going to get better, though, as it approaches its 40th birthday, as it will become exempt from paying tax, MoT testing and the ULEZ charge, which to us makes it a far more appealing prospect than any modern car.
There’s so much to love about this car, especially if you appreciate originality and history because it’s a true survivor with only two owners from new, and you won’t find many others like that. Still in excellent mechanical condition, this is one classic that you really can use every day, for work or shopping or family outings, and, if we were the lucky owner, that’s exactly what we’d be doing.
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