Regarded by many as the one of the greatest cars ever made, the Mercedes W123 is certainly one of the best built and designed cars ever to roll off a production line. There were a dazzling array of bodystyle, engine and gearbox options available. An original petrol, manual estate is not something you see every day, but is a combination that makes for an enormously useful classic.

In bright red it really stands out from the crowd, and is in usable condition 

Registered new in Huddersfield, the vehicle has a full service book of main dealer stamps into the early ‘90s. A later owner kept a detailed log of all work carried out up until around 2015, including a few larger jobs such as a new differential, carburettor and heater matrix around 10 years ago.

The current owner has just had it MOT'd, and had a new starter motor and ring gear fitted, which involved removing the engine to install. It was undersealed just after the photos were taken

Trimmed in Mercedes’ notably tough fabric, the seats show very few signs of wear and the carpet is not damaged either. They do show some signs of dirt but a good valet would most likely sort that out. The door cards are similarly in good overall condition. Pioneer speakers have been added by a previous owner and a period Blaupunkt radio cassette is in the dash, a desirable item these days.

The dashboard is also very good, there are no cracks in the plastic and the wood inserts are present and correct, only the glove box has curled slightly but it is not split or faded. Up above the headlining is not drooping, showing just a few marks on the fabric, and there is an electric sunroof from the factory.

In the boot there is a spare wheel under the carpet cover, a side storage bin holding a first aid kit and warning triangle, and under the floor is some hidden storage. The carpet has some marks from use and, as you lift the tailgate the load space cover raises with the boot, but can be separated.

This is a very honest and usable example of  a W123 estate. The paint is more than acceptable and has a nice gloss to it. It's not perfect and as you can see from the photos, it would benefit from a full respray and some repairs. There are marks in several places and a few bubbles and some surface corrosion here are there, around the arches for example, but overall this appears to be a sound car. 

The grille is good and the metal bumpers are very tidy. The side trim is in good shape and it comes with roof rails installed. All four body colour hubcaps are present and the car has new tyres all round.

Underneath there have been a couple of repairs over the years, but it appears solid and we're informed by the owner that is has been undersealed since the photos were taken.

The long history with the car shows it has been well cared for over the years, with minor and major maintenance tasks being taken care of as needed. In 2011 it received a new differential, carburettor and heater matrix and the current owner has just changed the starter motor, which required the gearbox to be removed, also allowing the repair of an awkward to select reverse gear.

It also just had 4 new brake callipers and a new master cylinder.

The engine bay is clean and presentable, showing no signs of accident damage or corrosion, and mechanically it feels strong, the owner tells us it drives very well.

This is an ideal practical classic, perfect to carry the whole family and their luggage for days out and road trips. It might not be fast but it will get there! Although by no means a show car, this is a solid, presentable and usable daily classic.