2003 Mercedes-Benz CLK55 AMG

Ordered in July 2003 but delivered and first registered in November by Mercedes-Benz in Plymouth, this CLK55 AMG cabriolet automatic has covered only 60,673 miles - that equates to an average of only 3,000 miles a year.

Bought by the seller from us in April of this year, it was a single family ownership car - the previous registered keeper having switched between husband and wife in 2013 - and it was collected by the previous seller from the exact same address as that printed on the original £65k bill of sale from 2003. The car is only being offered for sale now due to medical reasons.

The exterior is finished in Brilliant Silver Metallic. Brilliant being part of the colour name, not an opinion on the car’s condition, although given its age it does present very well indeed.

There are a few age-related marks and imperfections that you would expect for a performance car from 2003 but these are relatively minor. These include a small blemish to the passenger side of the bonnet where it may have been over-polished and an inch-long scuff on the front offside wing.

The black fabric folding roof works well and is in reasonably good condition, although the fabric by the rear screen is a little untidy but it doesn’t affect the weatherproofing.

The car sits on 18-inch AMG 5-double-spoke alloy wheels, which we understand to have been refurbished recently and present in a very good condition. All are shod with matching Pirelli PZero tyres with dates from 2017 to 2021.

The interior is clad in Sierra Grey and Alpaca Grey nappa leather. Again, alpaca is part of the colour name, not the animal hide used - we assume! It’s a two tone trim, with darker grey on the upper surfaces and a black-clad steering wheel.

The smart interior is clean and tidy and aside from a little fraying to the stitching on the driver’s seat, there is no undue wear or damage to the upholstery. In fact the rear seats look barely used.

The centre console is trimmed in an aluminium finish, echoed on the door trims, and it houses the COMAND infotainment unit. Audio is provided by a Bose Logic 7 premium sound system - just one of the optional extras specified by the first owner along with keyless go, multi-contour heated memory seats, multi-zone climate control, parking sensors and others.

The engine bay is well packaged, fitting all the ancillaries in around the V8. Everything appears to be clean and in good order - just as you would expect on a car that has been sent back to the supplying Mercedes-Benz dealer any time something wasn’t as it should have been.

We haven’t been able to inspect the undersides of the car, but nothing untoward was found at the last MOT. Should you have any specific questions, use the ‘Contact Seller’ option.

Inside the surprisingly large boot, the carpets and linings look clean and intact. The first aid kit is behind a panel to the right and there is a warning triangle stowed under the lid.

The CLK55 has a current MOT valid until October 2023, which it passed with no advisories.

The car comes with a large history file comprising mostly Mercedes-Benz main dealer invoices for servicing and preventative maintenance - if something wasn’t right with the car, it went into the garage for investigation and repair, regardless of cost.

All of this work was done at the same dealership that supplied the car back in 2003 - Mercedes-Benz Plymouth. The following are just a sample of the more recent investigations and fixes carried out:

• Jun 2020 - gearbox oil leak, radiator, front suspension, cam cover gaskets, new disks and pads all round
• Oct 2020 - B Service (major)
• Nov 2020 - power steering valve
• Jul 2021 - number plate bulb, A/C recharge, roof closure, V-belt, water pump, front tyres
• Sep 2021 - MOT, airbag sensor
• Dec 2021- window and boot closure (auxiliary pump)
• Mar 2022 - rear springs
• May 2023 - roof motor replaced at a cost of £546

Prior to the previous sale the car had been given an interim service and health check - along with replacing the nearside front lower arm - at C&K Motors in Leominster.

The car comes with its original owner’s book pack, stamped service history (mostly Mercedes-Benz) and 3 key fobs. The currently displayed registration number also comes with the car.

Any four-seat convertible Mercedes-Benz is an absolute joy to drive out in on a sunny day, but having an AMG badge on the back and a thumping 342bhp V8 up front makes it even more pleasurable. This CLK55 is happy just to gently cruise along, but open the taps and it’ll take off down the road with an incredible soundtrack.

As the history file shows, this car has been extremely well cared for - pampered some might say - by the couple who have owned it from new. So it shouldn’t be a surprise that the car is in great order both mechanically and aesthetically and still at what is a low mileage for the car’s age.

We think this Mercedes-Benz CLK55 AMG cabriolet will sell for between £10,000 and £15,000. It will be tough to find another as good as this.

Viewing is always encouraged, and this particular car is located with the vendor in Dorset; 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’.