1989 Mercedes-Benz 560 SEL

This car is offered from outside of the European Union. It has been imported under temporary admission customs bond and is therefore subject to Dutch import tax (9%) on top of the winning bid price. Cars less than 30 years old will pay 10% Dutch import tax plus 21% VAT on the hammer.

The winning bidder will receive a receipt for the final hammer value, as their proof of purchase.

This vehicle has been on static display for a number of years and the documented history available is limited to that displayed in our photography section.

We have not tried to start or drive the car, and cannot vouch for its mechanical viability or functionality. It will require recommissioning prior to road use and is sold ‘as seen’. Registering the car will be for the winning bidder to do.

As CARS Europe BV is the guarantor of all customs duties and taxes for vehicles within Dutch customs bond, the car cannot be released to the buyer or transporter immediately after the sale. For all enquiries relating to Customs, please contact CARS Europe BV (contact details below).

Purchases will only be released once cleared funds are received. All vehicles must be collected after the payment of funds. All storage charges must be paid in full prior to the vehicle’s collection or onward transportation.

Storage charges payment must be arranged with the storage company. Collection is strictly by appointment only.

Please send a booking email to the storage centre to ensure vehicle(s) are ready at time of collection. Photographic ID will be required at time of collection. If a third party is collecting for you, then written authorisation is required in advance from you and photographic ID of the third party is required at the time of collection. Collection either by buyer or third party is only possible for vehicles within customs bond if applicable import taxes paid are paid to import into country of bonded storage location.

As soon as the seller receives your payment, the accounts department will send a release note to the manager of the storage facility where your car(s) is stored.

CARS Europe BV will contact you just after the sale to confirm onward transport requirements. Direct contact at CARS for enquiries is as follows; Joanna Herlihy, +31 (0) 252 682 526, +44 7483 433912, joanna@carseurope.net.

STORAGE CHARGES - €30 + local VAT per motor car per day commencing from the sixth day following the auction end.

CUSTOMS CHARGES - €500 per motor car (plus applicable permanent import taxes from bond).

Built in 1989, this LHD auto Mercedes-Benz 560 SEL was bought for the vendor’s collection of static display cars in 2012.

Prior to that, we know from a tax disc in the window that it was in Kuwait in 1992.

There is some sort of telecoms unit inside that carries the logo of a Saudi Arabian state department. There is also a telephone and a control unit for a system of sirens and lights.

These suggest that the car may once have served in some official capacity for the Saudi Arabian government.

In common with many vehicles from the vendor’s collection, the car comes with no history or service records.

We haven’t tried to drive this car and can therefore only comment on its cosmetic status.

The car is in very good overall condition, inside, outside and underneath.

Odometer: 88,942 km.

VIN: WDB1260391A480013

In general, this car presents extremely well and is in fine overall condition.

The bodywork has no dents, dinks or creases of any significance.

The panel gaps and shut lines are tight and consistent.

The car’s chrome, wheels, lights, lenses, badging and exterior trim are all very respectable.

The condition of the paint finish is also mostly very good indeed.

There are a few scuffs on the rubber section of the front bumper.

There is a hole for mounting something (another aerial?) on top of the front wing on the driver’s side, and there are a few scratches on the front wing on the other side.

Some rust is just starting to appear in the gutter at the top of the passenger side ‘A’ pillar.

There are stone chips on the headlamp wipers and the rear door on the driver’s side.

The good news continues on the inside, where the car shows few signs of either its age or use.

The grey leather upholstery is in good order, with a minimum of creasing. The seats are supportive, comfortable and functional all round.

The door cards are intact and undamaged. So, too, the headlining, carpets and mats.

The wooden veneers on the dashboard and door inserts have mostly retained their lacquer and shine.

Even the curtains for the rear passengers are in decent condition.

The dashboard, steering wheel and instruments are equally impressive.

We can’t make any claims about the functionality of switches, knobs, levers, toggles, buttons, dials or other electrics as we haven’t tried to start or drive the vehicle.

The outer layer of the telephone cable has disintegrated and shed bits all over the carpet.

The boot is clean, tidy and in fine order. It contains another bit of Saudi telecommunications kit.

Everything in the engine bay is clean, dry and seems to be in its right and proper place.

The undersides of the car appear to have a good deal of structural integrity.

This car doesn’t come with any history or service records.

It must be registered in the country of your choice and you will need to contact the appropriate vehicle licensing agency for instructions on how to do this.

Any paperwork shown in the gallery is a facsimile and in no way constitutes any kind of licensing or registration certification.

This car’s condition defies its age and use and is a testament to the build quality of Mercedes cars of this era.

It has clearly been well looked after and maintained throughout the course of its long life.

We think this is very good example of the model, provided, of course, that the engine and mechanicals are as impressive as the rest of it.

We’re confident to offer this car for auction with an estimate of €5,000 - €10,000.