Highlights
- Low documented mileage of 78,600 miles
- Very well maintained by main dealers and specialists
- Regularly serviced since 2021 by marque specialist SS Motors
- Last serviced at 78,100 miles
- Desirable facelift car in popular Astral Silver with Grey leather
- Only three UK keepers with current one for 30 years
- Current MOT valid to September 2026
The Appeal
If you had £51,400 to spend in 1991, equivalent to £120,000 today, you could have your pick of motoring gems. A coachbuilt Alfa SZ Zagato perhaps, maybe a Cadillac Eldorado or even a Honda NSX. Or this, Mercedes’ illustrious W126 500SEC. Great as those alternatives are, they can’t hold a candle to the big Merc’s quality, engineering and sheer all-round grand touring prowess.
All of which explains why a good W126 is a top pick for enthusiast who enjoy long distance trips. Most have covered very high mileages but this 1991 facelift car’s M117 5L V8 is barely run in at under 79,000 miles. The condition is impressive across the Astral Silver paintwork and grey leather cabin. It was factory specified from new with 15in Gullideckel alloys, burr walnut veneers, electric front seats with memory and heating and a big electric steel sunroof.
The current keeper, only the car’s third, has owned the car for 30 years. Aside from the condition, key to this car’s appeal is its service history which supports the low mileage. The car has only ever been maintained by main dealers or marque specialists. In recent years it has been entrusted to SS Motors, the marque specialist, with the last service at 78,063 miles in late 2024. The MOT runs to September 2026.
Some W126s have suffered high mileages and poor maintenance. This car is neither of those. It looks perfect for a 2026 European road trip.
History and Paperwork
- First registered 28th March 1991
- Three UK keepers
- Current keeper since December 1996
- Very well maintained throughout its life as detailed below
- V5C
- Factory handbooks and wallet
- MOT valid to 21st September 2026 with advisory to note
- 78,445 miles on MOT test and 78,841 miles showing in photos
Service history (further details in photos):
- 09/24 - 78,063 miles - SS Motors (independent Mercedes specialist)
- 09/21 - 76,841 miles - as above
- 04/11 - 66,233 miles - Mercedes-Benz Redhill
- 06/09 - 61,809 miles - Nick George (independent Mercedes specialist)
- 02/05 - 60,370 miles - Mercedes-Benz Ross & Young
- 01/03 - 55,273 miles - as above
- 01/02 - 52,647 miles - as above
- 01/01 - 49,281 miles - as above
- 01/00 - 46,376 miles - as above
- 12/98 - 41,701 miles - as above
- 12/97 - 35,556 miles - as above
- 04/96 - 28,273 miles - B&K Thomas Mercedes-Benz
- 11/94 - 23,514 miles - as above
- 09/93 - 18,372 miles - as above
- 06/92 - 10,802 miles - Falcon of Loughborough
- 10/91 - 6,758 miles - as above
- 04/92 - 702 miles - as above
- 03/91 - PDI - as above
Recent maintenance highlights:
- 09/20 - 76,209 miles - Mercedes-Benz - health check, suspension work, front tyres
The Condition
- Popular Astral Silver metallic with dark grey metallic ‘Sacco Plancs’ and bumpers
- Paintwork in very good order with only a few minor points such as stone chips
- Bodywork also well kept in usual W126 check areas such as arches and panel edges
- Small area of bubbling to note to front offside wing as shown
- 15in ‘Gullideckel’ alloy wheels remain presentable with some age and scuffs to note
- Fitted with Goodyear tyres as shown
- Underside as shown with no structural advisories on MOT
- Full grey leather interior in very good condition with little wear for age of car
- Fitted with dark burr walnut wood veneers which appear well kept
- Some slight sagging to the headlining, but still a wonderful place to be
- Grey carpets with ribbed fitted Mercedes factory over mats showing light stains
- Specification includes electric front seats with memory and heating
- Also fitted with large steel sliding sunroof and period Blaupunkt stereo
- Fitted with cruise control and electric rear blinds
- Space wheel with tool roll as shown
- Electrics are untested
The Mechanics
- 4,973cc M117 fuel injected V8 engine
- 4spd 4G-TRONIC automatic gearbox
- Very well maintained by main dealers and specialists as above
- Recent service by specialist with very few miles covered since
- Advisory to note on MOT
BEFORE YOU BUY
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