2002 Mercedes-Benz CL 500

When buying a modern classic car it’s always good to find one with a complete service history – one that shows that the vehicle has been very well cared for. 

That’s exactly what the vendor did when he purchased this superb Mercedes-Benz CL 500, one year ago. Residing originally in Guernsey until 2018 it has a spectacular service history showing 14 main-dealer stamps, with all taking place annually up until 2017 (and at between just 3000 and 6000 mileage intervals). Imported to the UK in 2018, three further three stamps in the service book show servicing by an independent specialist, at slightly longer time intervals, as annual mileage decreased. 

“It’s a lovely car, in excellent condition and drives exactly as a Mercedes-Benz CL 500 should,” explains the vendor. “Unfortunately, my wife doesn’t like it, saying that it’s ‘too old’. She doesn’t really get the modern classic car thing! Therefore, it’s for sale”.

Despite only owning the vehicle for a short period of time, and enjoying just 300 miles purely for pleasure, he has continued the process of maintaining it to the degree required. “I’ve spent around £2000, mainly on minor faults. The rear brake light has been replaced; it has four new tyres; and a new radio/Sat Nav screen”.

His decision to sell means that this superbly well cared for example, of an exalted Mercedes-Benz breed, is now up for grabs.

The Tanzanite Blue Metallic exterior paintwork really suits this large, opulent Coupe – for us, it’s surely the model’s best colour. Despite being 23 years old, the finish remains excellent; the colour-coded bumpers look to be scuff-free and there’s just a light smattering of stonechips on the front end. 

The body panels looks to be in rude health and the CL 500’s visual pièce de résistance is lowering all its windows for that sublime pillar-less coupe look. Adding to the fresh-air experience is a fully functioning sunroof. Pop the doors and you will find immaculate door shuts and sills, as well as solid metal on the bottom of both doors. 

The five-spoke alloy wheels remain nice and clean, although there are some paint blisters on the centre caps of two wheels. The next owner may wish to have these replaced. All are shod in very fresh Pirelli Cinturato tyres, each of which has seen hardly any action.

The CL 500’s cabin reflects its relatively low mileage of just 51,520 miles, in that it remains in very smart condition indeed. The Saffron leather (and there’s plenty of it) is nice and generally mark free. There’s a touch of light cracking on the driver’s seat outer panels, but a good feed of these areas should have a softening effect. The passenger and rear seats both look barely used. 

Up front, the dashboard is in similar condition; again, generally free from marks, with excellent wood veneers. The colour-matched steering wheel and dashboard top lend a real touch of class to the finish. You will find the new Radio/Sat Nav screen in-situ.

The only two real things to note are that the sunroof lining has a few grubby fingerprints showing, so could do with a clean, and the surface of the front door card storage units both have a little light fraying. 

Carpets are in very good condition and new black fitted carpet mats, piped Saffron, have been fitted (the originals are present in the boot). Talking of the boot, a matching mat can also be found here, as well as a full tool kit and spare tyre. 

Visually, this car presents very well. However, the best indicator of condition is to be found in the car’s history file. As discussed in the Background section above, the CL 500’s service history is simply superlative with the Scheduled Maintenance Booklet showing the following service stamps:

• Service report no. 1 (3,888 miles), 01/04/03 – Mercedes-Benz, Jacksons (CI) Limited
• Service report no. 2 (7,777 miles), 06/08/04 – Mercedes-Benz, Jacksons (CI) Limited
• Service report no. 3 (10,142 miles), 23/08/05 – Mercedes-Benz, Jacksons (CI) Limited
• Service report no. 4 (12,829 miles), 30/08/06 – Mercedes-Benz, Jacksons (CI) Limited
• Service report no. 5 (15,561 miles), 25/01/2008 – Mercedes-Benz, Jacksons (CI) Limited
• Service report no. 6 (18,195 miles), 10/02/09 – Mercedes-Benz, Jacksons (CI) Limited
• Service report no. 7 (21,201 miles), 07/04/10 – Mercedes-Benz, Jacksons (CI) Limited

Please note: Service report no. 8 was written in the incorrect place, hence the jump from no. 7 to no. 9.

• Service report no. 9 (24,583 miles), 12/04/11 – Mercedes-Benz, Jacksons Ltd, Rue De Pres
• Service report no. 10 (28,352 miles), 18/04/12 – Mercedes-Benz, Jacksons Ltd, Rue De Pres
• Service report no. 11 (32,582 miles), 24/05/13 – Mercedes-Benz, Jacksons Ltd, Rue De Pres
• Service report no. 12 (36,748 miles), 17/10/14 – Mercedes-Benz, Jacksons Ltd, Rue De Pres
• Service report no. 13 (39,090 miles), 29/09/15 – Mercedes-Benz, Jacksons Ltd, Rue De Pres
• Service report no. 14 (45,330 miles), 07/11/16 – Mercedes-Benz, Jacksons Ltd, Rue De Pres
• Service report no. 15 (49,124 miles), 28/07/17 – Mercedes-Benz, Jacksons (CI) Limited, Rue De Pres
• Service Report no. 16 (50,169 miles), 20/03/19 – V12 Auto Ltd, Malmsbury, Wiltshire
• Service Report no. 17 (50,350 miles), 26/02/22 – V12 Auto Ltd, Malmsbury, Wiltshire
• Service Report no. 18 (51,200 miles), 27/01/24 – V12 Auto Ltd, Malmsbury, Wiltshire

Although the CL 500 hasn’t covered much mileage since 2018, the comprehensive maintenance program carried out during its life should ensure that the car’s running gear, including that spectacular V8 engine, remains in fine health. 

The engine bay presents exceedingly well, with a lack of dirt, grime or spills present. The black plastics including the engine cover retain a deep hue and the under-bonnet insulation remains intact.

Underneath, there’s a touch of surface corrosion here and there but it looks to remain in good, solid health. The V8 fires readily, spins freely and elicits a suitably growly rasp through the car’s twin-exit tailpipes. 

The included V5c document confirms its first date of UK registration to be 15/03/2002 and that it has had a total of two owners in the UK since then. Also present is the car’s Guernsey-issued Registration Certificate, as well as its 2018 UK Revenue & Customs vehicle import documentation.   

All the car’s original hand and service books, as well as the Owner’s Manual are included. You will also find a selection of documents for works carried out by Guernsey-based dealer Jacksons Mercedes-Benz during the vehicle’s lifetime.

Finally, a recent online vehicle history check is present and shows no known issues with outstanding finance, theft or having been written off. It notes the import of the car back to the UK mainland. 

Please visit the documents section of the gallery of this listing where you will find photos to support our claim that this Mercedes-Benz CL 500 has been incredibly well maintained and remains in very good health. 

With an immaculate service history, this Mercedes-Benz CL 500 still presents in formidable condition. It hasn’t seen much mileage since being imported to the UK (from Guernsey) in 2018, but despite this has continued to receive regular servicing. 

Its estimated auction value sits between just £8,000 and £12,000. Anywhere within that range will ensure that the next owner of this vehicle gets one heck of a lot of car for the money.

If you’re in the market for a seriously luxurious, modern classic V8, then this stylish Teutonic marvel could be the coupe for you. 

Viewing is strongly encouraged, and this lot is located at Bonhams|Cars Online HQ. Viewings are STRICTLY BY APPOINTMENT and we are open weekdays between 10am - 12pm or 2pm - 4pm. To make a booking, please use the ‘Enquire About This Vehicle’ button on the listing. Feel free to ask any questions, or try our ‘Frequently Asked Questions’.