Highlights 

• Desirable W123 colour and specification 
• MOT exempt but helpfully supplied with long MOT to April 2024
• Tax and ULEZ exempt too
• Good history file 
• Ideal daily driver for city and elsewhere or weekend show star

The Appeal

The W123 has come to epitomise the classic Mercedes-Benz saloon: handsome, timeless styling, carefully over-engineered and sumptuously finished with quality trim.  Good examples are increasingly in demand and the 230E is a highlight of the range that combines urge with economy.

This smart W123 230E is fresh from a £20,000 renovation by the previous owner and offers a particularly attractive specification that includes an electric steel sunroof.  There are even chrome wheel arch embellishers to please the classic Mercedes-Benz completists.  Although it is usefully ULEZ, tax and MOT exempt it comes with the reassurance of a long MOT to April 2024. 

The History and Paperwork

• First registered on 4th August 1982 so ULEZ, MOT and tax exempt 
• Thick history file that includes annotated history of the car by the previous owner
• Record of owner history shows the car owned by different family members and friends, some twice
• Invoices detailing restoration work including list of parts used totalling £20,000
• Work completed during 2020 with few miles covered since 
• Engine rebuilt in 2013 with less than 2,000 miles subsequently covered 
• Old MOTs verifying displayed mileage 
• 2 original sets of keys
• Owner’s handbook
• Spare wheel 

The seller acquired this car in 2022 through Car and Classic but a change of circumstances forces sale.  The previous current owner had known this car since 1997, when it was bought by his mother who had fallen in love with its colour of Petrol Green.

Used very sparingly for the next 10 years but regularly serviced and MOT’d,, she eventually passed the car on to her son, who, after a few years light use, gave it to a friend who allowed it to deteriorate during his care by leaving it unused for several years in his garden.

Determined to restore his Mother’s old car to its former and deserved glory he spent around £20,000 in the last 2 years to get the car up to its current, and very presentable, condition.

The Interior

• Original and complete
• Good condition throughout
• Electric sunroof

The interior is pretty much original and was left mostly untouched during the renovation other than some minor trim repairs and a very thorough clean. The result is an interior with a nice patina achieved naturally over time which suits the period beige vinyl and herringbone weave fabric seats.

The front and rear seats have no rips or tears anywhere and are still nice and supportive but do have some slight discolouration in places, and the dashboard, door cards, headlining and the carpets are all very good and all very clean.

The Exterior

• Good all-round condition
• Original wheels with hubcaps
• External trim all in great shape

The correct period wheels with new tyres and body-colour painted hubcaps are in great condition too along with all the external chrome which finish off its overall presentation and classic look very nicely.

The Mechanics

• Good service history
• Recently fully serviced and ready to go
• Drives very nicely

The recent fairly comprehensive renovation has covered a good overhaul of the brakes, suspension and it’s running gear to ensure that everything is working as it should do.

The engine was rebuilt back in 2013 and still performs well, and the car is reported to drive very nicely with no issues.

Summary