Highlights

Low documented mileage of under 51,000 miles
Rare RHD combination of Arctic White and Medium Red leather
High specification 240bhp 5.0-litre car with factory rear seat and a/c
Huge history file of maintenance and regular servicing
Previously sold by The SL Shop for £65,000
Now reserved very competitively
Includes matching hard top, stand, luggage and wind deflector
MOT valid to February 2027 with no advisories

The Appeal

From whichever angle you approach this 500SL, whether condition, mileage, maintenance or specification, it is one of the most appealing we’ve seen in a long while. Finished in rare Arctic White with evocative Medium Red leather, it has covered less than 51,000 miles from new and comes with a seriously vast history file. As one of the final facelift R107s it is a desirable galvanised model.

The 500SL was peak R107 for European buyers, delivering 240bhp from its M117 V8 and coming standard with LSD, cruise control and headlamp washers. This car adds a desirable factory rear seat and air conditioning to offer the buyer perhaps the ultimate transcontinental classic cruiser.

The previous keeper acquired the car in 2022 from specialist The SL Shop, which has been responsible for its maintenance during the majority of the last few years. Sifting through the large number of MOT, invoice, and other documents reveals a run of servicing stamps plus a recent dark red soft top, battery, interior recolouring and heater blower. A matching hard top with a stand, plus a wind break, and fitted luggage are included. Prior to sale the car received new brake pads and gearbox oil seal. It comes to market with an advisory-free MOT valid to February 2027.

Much as we love the 300SL, it’s hard to match the gentle beat of the 500SL’s V8. This low-mileage, cherished car has the specification, provenance and low mileage to rank amongst the best available.

MrGrant-MercedesSL-096 Acelin Hearn.jpg 3.68 MB

History and Paperwork

UK-market right-hand drive car
Factory built around April 1988
First registered August 1988
12 keepers from new
Current keeper since September 2022
SL Shop purchase invoice
Large file of servicing records and invoices present as shown
MOT and tax records dating back many years as shown
History file best viewed in person due to its extent
Hardtop with stand included
Luggage set and windbreak from The SL Shop included
Set of keys as shown
Factory service book and handbooks as shown
V5C
Last MOT valid to 23rd August 2025 with single advisory to note
Maintained by SL Shop and other specialists in recent years
Current MOT valid to 25th February 2027 with no advisories
Recent new brake pads and oil seal

Service history (further details in photos):

11/23 - c.49,000 miles - SL Shop
10/20 - c.45,000 miles - as above
06/19 - 43,633 miles - as above
04/17 - 42,491 miles - as above
05/16 - 42,344 miles - Mercedes-Benz Wirral
05/15 - 42,086 miles - as above
06/14 - 41,209 miles - SL Shop
05/13 - 39,497 miles - George Frazer (marque specialist)
05/12 - 37,282 miles - as above
11/06 - 21,451 miles - Steve Redfearn (marque specialist)
08/05- 20,569 miles - Mercedes-Benz Bath
04/92 - 11,209 miles - Evans of Leicester
02/91 - 6,768 miles - as above
09/88 - 1,055 miles - Callardes Mercedes-Benz
08/88 - PDI - as above

Notable recent maintenance (further details in photos):

02/23 - new battery - £141 - John Moore Auto Repairs
09/22 - rotor arm, ignition lead etc - £516 - Sl Shop
09/22 - matsa, luggage, hard top stand, wind deflector - £1,751 - SL Shop
08/22 - PDI and other pre-sales checks - SL Shop
10/20 - heater blower and other work - £482 - SL Shop
08/19 - clean and colour seats - £714 - D Class
07/19 - new soft top and related parts - £1,655 - SL Shop

MrGrant-MercedesSL-013 Acelin Hearn.jpg 1.51 MB

The Condition

Rare Arctic White with matching hard top in very good condition
Originally supplied with black roof but fitted with red roof in 2019 as above
Roof in very good condition with clear rear screens as shown
Matching hard top in good order with stand included
Exterior chromework is bright and well kept
Usual R107 check areas such as arches, door bottoms and front wings present well
Underside as shown with no structural advisories on last MOT
Well kept ‘Gullideckel’ alloys in very good condition with matching spare
Matching white banded Michelin tyres fitted with white showing slight discolouration
Attractive burgundy ‘Medium Red’ leather interior in very good condition
Seats were recoloured in 2019 and have been little used since
Fitted with desirable factory rear seat option
Factory fitted with a/c and cruise control (untested)
Slight bolster wear note to driver’s seat in photos
Bright and well kept red carpets through cabin and boot areas
Carpets appear to be clean and little worn
Attractive dark walnut wood veneers to dashboard and console
Veneers do not suffer obvious cracking and age typical of this model
Fitted with modern quality Alpine Bluetooth stereo
Heat-insulating glass all around with heated rear window and band filter
Heated exterior mirrors, electrically adjustable on the right
Fire extinguisher fitted
Some age-related marks may be present, as is to be expected of a car of this vintage
Supplied with wind break and a hard top stand

Some colour combinations flatter the handsome R107 shape and white is one of them as these photos. It accentuates the chromework and suits the car’s neatly underplayed aesthetic. This car’s Arctic White is factory correct and is in very good condition. The car comes with a matching hard top with a stand.

A previous keeper has leaned into the style theme by switching the original black fabric roof for a red item that suits the Medium Red interior. It suits the style and is in very good condition, as shown in the photos. The exterior is completed by a set of factory ‘Gullis’ with white-banded Michelin tyres.

Inside the red leather adds a touch of sumptuousness to an interior that can look austere in other hues. It is very well kept, the reds trim and carpets, and the desirable optional rear seat, all in great condition. The seats were recoloured a few years ago - slight bolster wear is visible on the driver’s side, but does not detract. The walnut veneers are also in good order.

MrGrant-MercedesSL-060 Acelin Hearn.jpg 2.25 MB

The Mechanics

5.0-litre M117 240bhp V8 engine
Four-speed 4G-TRONIC automatic transmission
500SL with factory standard rear axle with limited-slip differential
Well maintained by main dealers and specialists throughout its life
Serviced by SL Shop in 2023 with few miles since
Other recent maintenance noted above
Recent new brake pads and oil seal
Current MOT with no advisories
Has just been serviced prior to sale which included new brake pads

While later cars got the well-regarded straight six engine, the R107 was designed to be V8-powered. The M117 5L 240bhp V8 was the top specification car for European buyers and firmly suits the car’s unruffled, mile-munching vibe.

This car’s low displayed mileage is supported by the large history file, MOTs and service book. It is hard to overstress just how much history this car comes with - you can see it displayed in the photos. We’ve provided a breakdown of the servicing above and a summary of recent maintenance too.

The vendor bought this car intending to keep it, but circumstances have changed. He tells us that it runs and drives very well. As a serial SL owner, he considers this the best he has seen.

MrGrant-MercedesSL-051 Acelin Hearn.jpg 2.21 MB

BEFORE YOU BUY

This sale is subject to the Car & Classic Terms and Conditions. By bidding and/or making an offer, you also agree to the following:

✓ The seller of this vehicle is registered as a business seller. And you are covered by Car & Classic’s Terms and Conditions.

✓ We request that a non-refundable fee be paid if you are the lucky winning bidder at auction or if your offer is accepted. Please refer to our helpful FAQs and T&Cs for specific rates.

✓ This vehicle is “Sold As Seen”, on an “As Is Where Is’ basis and without warranty. Photos and descriptions are solely for guidance purposes and it's customary to carry out a full inspection of the vehicle prior to purchase for your own peace of mind.

✓ VAT is included in the buyer's fee. VAT may or may not be included in the final bid or offer price, as specified in the listing.

✓ We want a smooth transaction just as much as you do and as such we run all UK-registered cars and motorbikes for sale on Car & Classic through an online HPI check to verify that they show no insurance database markers for damage or theft, and have no finance owing, allowing you to bid with confidence.

✓ We also check whether vehicles are recorded as being written off as part of an insurance total loss claim at the time an advert is placed and we helpfully provide write-off category labels (Cat C/D/S/N) for your assistance, the presence or absence of a label does not guarantee the vehicle’s status and it's always worthwhile carrying out your own full vehicle history check before making an offer.

✓ Buyers are responsible for vehicle collection

or delivery. Importing vehicles may result in additional customs duties and import taxes so it's worth checking beforehand. It is the bidders responsibility to confirm import eligibility prior to purchase.