1986 Mercedes-Benz 500 SEL

This lovely big SEL would have cost a proverbial arm and leg when new, and been the preserve of doctors, lawyers and diplomats alike. Luckily depreciation brings expensive toys into the realms of the everyman, and anyone who lusted after one in period can now snap an example up for not a lot of readies at all.

The included V5 document shows that this example has had a total of five owners from new, and that it sailed through its last MOT test with no advisories at all. The latter runs until November of this year, which means it’s ready to be fettled and enjoyed.

The current vendor purchased it from its previous owner, a chap living in London. During his ownership the S-Class wore the private number plate, 824 HOT – pretty apt for the car, although we’re not in a position to comment likewise on the owner!

It’s covered a total of 144,088 miles, but these cars (and their redoubtable V8 units) are capable of star ship mileages.

“The paintwork is really good,” says the vendor. There are a few blemishes here and there, but generally the Thistle Green (it’s a lovely calming hue) panels are just fine and dandy. That’s no mean feat as there’s a lot of metal on an SEL.

Offside panel fit is very good with straight flanks and trim lines that match up nicely; nearside panel fit isn’t quite up to the same standard, the area where the lower rear of the front wing and lower front door section looking as if it’s had a small nudge at some point. The lower offside bumper corner is also sitting a touch less flush to the panels above it, than it should.

Pop the doors and you’ll see nice clean sills and likewise, the rain gutters are all lovely and free from debris. The glass is all in good nick and only one or two very small kerb marks are present on the otherwise immaculate alloy wheels. The tyres look like they’ve been on for a while though, and don’t match, so that’d be our first recommended investment for any new owner.

That large front grill is in decent condition, but one of the horizontal chrome trims is missing – possibly yanked off by a ne’er-do-well street urchin. The plastic bumpers and lower panels are also all remarkably free of marks or scuffs.

The cabin is a particular strong point of any SEL and this example’s doesn’t disappoint; it’s a place that will provide the next owner with a lovely ambience from which to pilot this Sindelfingen behemoth.

“It’s really clean, and there are no rips or tares to the velour,” says the vendor. “The electric front seats work on both sides and it has an electric sunroof, although it’s a touch more temperamental – working when it likes it.”

He confirms that the vanity mirrors all work and it still has its original Blaupunkt audio cassette player, although he hasn’t yet tested the latter. We’re particularly enamoured by the striped green carpets and over mats, which would put Centre Court at Wimbledon to shame.

The wood veneer presents nicely (the centre column has one or two areas of minor lacquer discolouration) and the green velour seats and door cards (all ribbed, for your pleasure) are as described above.

In the boot you’ll find a full tool set, a warning triangle and Mercedes-Benz Service Car Protection Pack. Lift the carpet and you’ll see the spare wheel secured, although the rubber looks like it’s seen better days and may very well be original.

“It takes one or two attempts to turn over,” says the vendor. “But once it’s up and running, it drives really well.” A quick MOT check shows that the car hasn’t covered much mileage since 2013, so while it runs it’s likely to need a bit of fettling before being used in anger. There’s also a slight mileage discrepancy in the MOT history, which was highlighted in an HPI summary check.

The engine bay is dusty (see above lack of recent use) and the under bonnet heat and sound insulation has seen better days, but there are no apparent signs of bodily corrosion. 

That’s a similar story on the underside where – a touch of surface corrosion to the right of the exhaust centre box, aside – there are no immediate signs for concern. 

The history file comprises mainly of bills from the last owner. These are from the years 2014-2019 and total in the region of £3k. The biggest of these was for some unspecified welding, new bottom ball joints, and fresh brake callipers and pads all round (£2,172.44).

A new fuel pump was fitted in October of last year, at a cost of £78.00.

There’s also an HPI Summary Check (it used to wear the registration number 824 HOT), as well as the current MOT certificate and V5 document.

Please visit the documents section of the gallery of this listing where you will find photos of the paperwork to support our claim that this car has been maintained to a very good standard.

Okay, we’re stating the obvious by saying that this isn’t a concours car. However it is the chance for someone to own Mercedes-Benz’s flagship Sonderklasse for, if not a bargain price (although it could be!), then a very decent amount indeed.

We estimate that it’ll sell for somewhere between £2,000 and £5,000, which should leave plenty of money in the budget for a bit of fine fettling. Once done, it’ll be time to get out on that open road and devour it in a way that only a top of the range S-Class can.

Viewing is always encouraged, and this particular car is located with the seller just outside Leicester; to arrange an appointment please use the ‘Contact Seller’ button at the top of the listing. Feel free to ask any questions or make observations in the comments section below, or try our ‘Frequently Asked Questions’.