Highlights
- Only 43,706 miles from new
- Just three keepers with current one since 2018
- Maintained by main dealers and specialist garages
- High specification car in popular Obsidian Black
- Current MOT valid to November 2025
The Appeal
The R230 is where Mercedes-Benz long-lived SL model got seriously usable all year round. With its clever folding hard top, it is a car perfectly suited to British weather. Add in the near-400bhp of this car and its typically luxurious cabin and you have a four-wheeled treat you can enjoy year-round.
This SL500 is one of the nicest we’ve seen in a while, thanks in part to its very low mileage of under 44,000 miles. Its trio of keepers, the current one since 2018, have clearly looked after it and there are few indications of age across its paintwork and interior, including high traffic areas like the seat bolsters and switchgear.
Main dealers and specialists have maintained the car. In 2022, it received £3,000 of work, including a ‘B’ service. The MOT runs to November 2025 with a couple of minor advisories to note.
The vendor says:
This Mercedes-Benz SL 500 (R230) represents the perfect meeting point between luxury grand tourer and high-performance sports car. As part of the fifth-generation SL range, it continued Mercedes’ long-standing tradition of building glamorous, technologically advanced convertibles that combine style, comfort, and performance in one irresistible package.
Its sleek bodywork houses a fully retractable Vario-roof, transforming seamlessly from a refined coupé into an open-top roadster in a matter of seconds - ideal for enjoying both city cruising and sunny countryside drives.
“Under the bonnet, the 5.5L V8 delivers smooth power, paired with an automatic transmission for effortless progress. The chassis balances comfort and agility, aided by advanced suspension systems for the era, which keep the ride composed and confident. Inside, the cabin offers luxury, high-quality materials, supportive seats, and a host of features that were cutting-edge for their time.
“The SL 500 is more than just a car - it’s an indulgent driving experience, built for those who want their performance served with sophistication.”
History and Paperwork
- First registered 7th July 2006
- Three registered keepers
- Current keeper since December 2018
- Maintained by main dealers and Mercedes specialist garages we are told
- Stamped service book and other service records as shown in photos
- Regular maintenance carried out with no major work required, we are told
- Odometer showing 43,850 miles
- The only modification is the entertainment system we are told
- Factory handbooks and wallet
- 2 keys
- V5C
- £3,000 service in November 2025 with other work
- Original head unit included as shown
- MOT valid to 20th November 2025 with minor advisories to note
The vendor says:
“We are the third owners. Aiming to always keep the car original and well kept, no major work has been done on the SL other than maintaining it, and always with Mercedes specialist garages.
“The only modification made was to replace the entertainment system with an updated Panasonic AVH-Z9200 DAB, and fitted with a customised facia panel. Should it be required the original system has been retained in case the new owner wanted to reinstall it.”
The Condition
- Popular Obsidian Black paintwork in good order with only light age to note
- This includes some stone chips to front typical of age and mileage
- Bodywork appears in smart condition for its age
- Minor bubbling below surface on passenger side front wheel arch
- Some rust beginning under rear window seal
- Minor marks on edge of front quarter panel, front bumper and driver side rear bumper
- Windscreen, side windows, front and rear lights look in very good order
- Slight crack on driver's side wing mirror lens
- Badges and emblems present, correct and smart-looking (including AMG badge)
- Convertible hard top roof and wind diffuser look smart and Vario rood works correctly
- Five-spoke AMG alloy wheels present well with some kerbing to note in photos
- Advisory for tyre on current MOT
- Black leather interior in very good order with only very minor marks to note
- Black leather electric memory heated seats in good condition
- Some wear on driver's seat outer bolster and a slight scratch
- Black dials with white needles functioning properly we are told
- No fogging or scratching on controls and surfaces
- No warning lights issues says the seller
Specification:
- Tyre pressure warning function
- ParkTronic (PTS)
- Air conditioning/climate control
- Heated screen wash system
- Electric windows
- Electric folding heated mirrors
- ABS
- Telephone package
- Cruise control
- ABC (Active Body Control) suspension
- Navigation pack
- Electric memory heated seats
- 'Keyless-go'
- 2 sets of keys and fobs
- Updated Panasonic AVH-Z9200 DAB stereo with customised facia panel
- Apple CarPlay, Android and map functionality
- Original entertainment system retained
The vendor says:
“The bodywork of the Mercedes-Benz showed in lovely condition overall. Looking over the exterior, the panel lines looking straight and well-aligned. Original build quality still shows as we looked over the car, both doors, bonnet, boot and the roof open and close without concern with the panels gaps all showing without concern.
“There was a minor note of bubbling below the surface of the passenger side front wheel arch, although we had to look fairly close to spot this. Some rust beginning under the rear window seal.
“Well presented in a smart finish of "Metallic Obsidian Black", the coverage is even across the car with no noted imperfections to colour. We didn't note any real concerns with the paint, but if we were being picky, there were a couple of slight marks on the edge of the front quarter panel, front bumper and driver side rear bumper - but nothing major here. The windscreen, side windows, front and rear lights all appear in great condition, and we could see no sign of scratching or chips on the glass. We did note there was a slight crack on the drivers side wing mirror lens. Badges and emblems are present, correct and look very smart - including the rear AMG badge.
“The convertible hard top roof that retracts back into the rear section, and wind diffuser were both showing in great condition. We didn't note any issues on the seals on the exterior and these areas showed to be in-line with the rest of the condition of the car.
“The interior cabin sections showed very well, just some typical marks to the entrance sills. The electric memory and heated seats showed really well and looked very presentable finished in black leather. We noted some signs of wear to the drivers seat outer bolster and a slight scratch to the finish, typical observations considering the age of the car. It was clear however, looking over the interior, that the SL 500 has been well looked after.
“Carpets in the front of the cabin show in a great condition with the boot reflecting the same standard. Underneath the cabin carpets on the floor pans showed no concerning issues.
The black dash across the centre console all appears in fantastic shape with no issues to report. Black dials with white needles looked excellent and were all functioning as expected.
The dials, switches, and controls all appear to be in lovely condition, with surfaces free from fogging or scratching.
“We noted no issues with any warning lights and the speedometer, rev counter, fuel gauge, oil temp, and digital interfaces and were all functioning without concern when starting up the car.The steering wheel, with paddle shift function, is in keeping with the great quality of the rest of the interior. The auto gear selector also looks to be in smart condition. Overall, a really lovely cabin to take in the road ahead.”
The Mechanics
- 5,461cc M273 388bhp V8 engine
- 7spd automatic transmission
- Engine starts without issues and idles smoothly, we are told
- ABC suspension works correctly wth no suspension issues according to the seller
- Maintained by main dealers and specialists
- Invoices for work and stamped service book shown in photos
- Single minor mechanical advisory on current MOT
The vendor says:
“Starting up, we noted no concerns and the Mercedes performed without issue when running and out on the road. The car idled smoothly and its engine was easily capable of taking the driver up to speed in no time at all. The auto gearbox showed no concerns with shifting the SL 500 through to the gears. We noted no knocks, bangs or other issues from the suspension when we were on the road, and it gave us no concerns in its performance or handling. Looking over the underside of the car, noted no observed issues.
The brakes felt to have no pull or vibrations that stood out to us when on the journey and brought the car to a stop without a problem and with the kind of stopping power you'd expect.
“Overall the car performed as to be expected with no concerns. We noted that all switches, dials, and gauges appear undamaged and are in great condition.”
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