Highlights
- Low mileage of under 80,000 miles
- Just five registered keepers
- High spec LWB car in Smoke Silver with Brazil Brown leather
- £2,400 of work in 2024
- New suspension components, fuel pumps, brake callipers, and engine mounts
- MOT valid to March 2026 with no advisories
The Appeal
The W126 is like a paean to the art of engineering. You sense that no corners were cut and no budgets were too small. That is certainly true of this 500SEL, which mixes the big M117 V8 with the long wheelbase, limousine-like body. When new in 1986 it cost the equivalent of £120,000.
In the intervening 40 years, its five keepers have covered less than 80,000 miles, which is barely run in for a W126. Painted Smoke Silver metallic with a complementary Brazil Brown leather interior, it is a tidy example that carries a lengthy, advisory-free MOT to March 2026.
There are a few cosmetic points to note, but this is a usable and very luxurious classic cruiser. The current keeper acquired the car in 2021 and in 2024 spent £2,400 on a long list of work covering suspension, fuel system, brakes and engine mounts. There are a few small jobs to attend to, if the buyer wishes, but none affect merely jumping in and driving it.
The vendor says:
“Kickdown works, I have achieved close to the 7.8ish seconds 0-60 time, strong engine. Relatively low mileage example with a great interior, strong engine, smooth suspension and steering and could do with some work to make it a superb example of a W126.”
History and Paperwork
- UK RHD car
- First registered 1st August 1986
- Five registered keepers
- Current keeper since May 2021
- Acquired from a gentleman in Cambridge we are told
- The previous keeper is understood to have acquired the car from a friend
- Showing 79,000 miles, which is said by seller to be correct but is not verified
- Factory service book and wallet
- Two keys with fob
- MOT valid to 24th March 2026 with no advisories
- Spreadsheet of service and other work from 2024 totalling £2,398 as shown
The Condition
- Smoke Silver metallic paintwork showing some age and marks
- Vendor states car would benefit from a respray
- Bodywork shows some localised deterioration
- This included rust on the rear offside wheel arch
- Small dents and scratches on the bodywork as shown
- Some trim is missing such as the rear arch
- Factory ‘Gullideckel’ alloys in fair condition with some marks as shown
- Matching spare wheel
- Underside rubbed down and rust treated we are told
- Underside as shown with no structural advisories on last MOT
- Buyers should check photos of the underside as the MOT was in March 2025
- Specification includes electric sunroof, electric front seats with heating and cruise control
- Brazilian brown leather interior reported in very good condition by seller
- Leather presents well with some light wear typical of age and mileage
- Wood and door panels reported in very good condition
- Veneers shown light cracking such as to centre console
- Small tear on the dashboard by the windscreen
- Carpets as shown with factory-branded ribbed over mats and rear ankle rests
- Speedometer and tachometer work we are told
- Vendor reports that fuel gauge does not work
- Dashboard light bulbs need replacing
- Climate control only blows heat
- Blaupunkt Boston radio turns on but produces no sound
- We are told that the aerial rises and lowers with the radio
- Under-door lights work but the cabin light does not
- All exterior lights work we are told
- Driver key recently lubricated
The Mechanics
- 5.0-litre M117 V8 engine
- 4G-TRONIC four-speed automatic transmission
- Gearbox can be rough changing from 2nd to 3rd gear we are told
- Long list of recent work in 2024, detailed in photos and below
- We are told that the car has a strong engine with smooth suspension and steering
- No advisories on last MOT
Recent work:
- New fuel pumps and fuel pump relay fitted
- New ABS sensor installed
- New OVP relay installed, though the vendor believes it may need updating
- Gearbox serviced in 2023 with gearbox linkage bushes reported tight
- New suspension parts fitted, including suspension arms, tie rods, and front shocks
- Engine mounts and damper replaced
- New Mercedes bonnet pad
- Battery
- Exhaust mounting rubbers
- Aerial grommet
- Wiper blades fitted
- Rear brake callipers replaced and brake fluid bled
- Belts changed except the air conditioning belt
- Vacuum hoses replaced and fuel mixture adjusted
BEFORE YOU BUY
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✓ The seller is registered as a private seller which means consumer rights stemming from EU consumer protection law do not come into effect. However, you are still covered by Car & Classic’s own Terms and Conditions..
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