The “W123” range of executive saloons and estate cars represented a massive success for Mercedes-Benz between their introduction in 1975 and their eventual replacement 11 years later.
Over 2.5 million were sold worldwide, with the model soon garnering a reputation for being one of the most solidly built and long-lasting cars ever made.
Indeed, there are still thousands of them in daily use all over the globe, many with over a million miles on the clock and still providing dutiful taxi service in far-flung corners of Africa.
With that kind of longevity – especially for the diesel models – this estate example, the 300TD, is barely run-in. Fresh form long-term ownership, the five-cylinder oil burner is one of the first cars to have truly popularised diesel in the UK and Europe.
It’s a bit of a legend, all told, and this one is exactly as they should be – unspoilt, original and ready to cover thousands of more miles.
The W123 has been in the care of a lady owner in Hove, East Sussex, from 1995 until earlier this year. Between them, she and the vendor represent two of only four keepers that the car has ever had since it first hit the road 38 years ago.
It has an advisory-free MOT valid until August 2022, a UK V5C and a folder full of old bills and service receipts, including one for some bodywork repairs carried out in 2015.
The hard-wearing beige cloth trim still looks very respectable with only minor wear to the driver’s seat bolster. The headlining, carpets and door cards are in great order and the wood-effect dash inserts are in fine condition, too.
It’s a five-seater rather than a seven, but the seatbelt shackles and floor mountings are there should you wish to instal a seven-seater conversion kit. The original tool kit is present and the boot area is in good, clean condition.LU3CIRN8PR90hgTpNrD4xdbm6GMvQJouuzR7gkZe.jpeg200.83 KB
THE EXTERIOR
Classic solid beige
Repainted in 2015
Solid underneath
The W123 is in fine overall condition with no obvious flaws or damage, other than minor marks, scuffs and stone chips.
It was repainted a few years back in its original solid beige and the paint retains a great shine, while all of the chrome and trim, including the wonderful body-coloured hubcaps, are in good, presentable order.
Mercedes-Benz was one of the forts manufacturers to make diesel engines acceptable in non-commercial vehicles and the W123 soon became one of the best-known diesel cars in the world, it’s distinctive five-cylinder unit renowned for its ability to cover hundreds of thousands of miles without drama.
This one is coupled to an automatic transmission so it’s no speed demon, but it has plenty of torque and is relaxing and pleasant to drive, capable of holding its own in modern traffic.
The vendor says it drives really well with no known faults.
This is a terrific classic for the family, or to keep in reserve as a useful tip run and shopping vehicle one weekend and a classic show car the next.
It’s wonderfully versatile, very cool and still more than capable of being used every single day – something it should easily take in its stride.
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