1972 Mercedes-Benz 250CE

In the care of the vendor since 2015, this lovely Mercedes-Benz 250CE was first registered on 1st June 1972. Recommissioned in early 2014, it came into the vendor’s hands a year later.

A solid, genuine UK car, its mileage of 116,149 miles is backed up by an MOT history that stretches back to 1988, so is likely to be correct.

Recently and expensively mechanically fettled, it comes straight from the vendor’s private collection and being offered with a very sensible reserve price.

The elegant white bodywork might sport simple lines but the fact that there is so little in terms of adornment mean that there is simply no place for shoddy panel alignment, rust, or neglect to hide.

Which is fine, because this is a remarkably straight example; with ripple-free flanks, great shutlines, and a decent finish to the white paintwork, this is a car that wears its years lightly.

The chromework is good – just take a look at how neatly the lateral chrome trim lines up - as are the light lenses, glass, and badges. It’s remarkably well-preserved and looking wonderfully period thanks to the huge chrome radiator grille, double-decker front bumper, and vertical headlamps.

The 14-inch steel wheels appear straight and they’re embellished with the firm’s trademark body-colour and chrome wheel trims. They’re fitted with matching Kingstar Centum tyres too, the tread depth of which the vendor describes as being “really good”.

As we will never tire of explaining, our experience shows that matching tyres are an infallible sign of a caring and mechanically sympathetic owner who is prepared to spend the appropriate amount in maintaining their car properly. Their presence does not, of course, preclude the need for a thorough inspection - something the vendor would welcome, by the way – but it does perhaps give you an insight into their attitude towards maintenance.

Faults? Well, aside from the usual stonechips and minor marks we’ve spotted some light pitting to some of the chrome and a small chip in the windscreen,

More seriously, there is some peeling chrome to the nearside corner of the front bumper and the odd small bubble of rust starting on the lower edges. But, we really do need to emphasis that this rust is still in its infancy and looks like it is restricted in its spread and would be easy to halt.

The tan MB-Tex faux leather interior is patinated but all the better for it; built up to a standard rather than down to a price, it’s settled into its fifth decade with an ease and confidence that is rare in anything other than well-loved examples like this.

The seats look to be in a very good condition; we can’t spot any wear or damage at all, and the vendor assures us that they’re still firm and supportive. Sure, they could do with a clean but that’s titivation rather than restoration.

The twin-spindle radio looks period-correct and might even be the original. The switches are in good order, as are the gauges that sit behind the huge Mercedes-Benz steering wheel; the latter looks and feels terrific and helps set the regal tone the rest of the car inspires.

The headlining is taut and free of damage but could do with a bit of a clean; still resolving that would be ultra-low cost and an easy job.

Other faults? Well, some of the trim on the passenger’s side of the centre console has split, there is some slight bubbling in the vinyl coverings on the centre console, the wooden veneer on the glovebox lid is a little flat and scuffed, and the door pockets, although missing in the photographs, have now been reattached and the handle on the driver’s side has also been refitted since the photos were taken.

We are told that prior to 1987 it received regular servicing through Mercedes-Benz main agents. Certainly, the bills on file show that it had new front and rear dampers, a brake service, a new anti-roll bar and some minor welding as part of its recommissioning in 2014.

The car also had around £1,800 spent on last year. The work included having the carburettors sorted out, the radiator reconditioned and the vehicle serviced. A new Mercedes-Benz battery was also fitted last week.

The vendor states that the car starts first time, “changes gear nicely” and drives “really well”.

The engine bay is purposeful rather than pretty but then it does start and run well, and that’s more important, surely?

Speaking of which, the underside looks to be solid and straight. Maybe in need of a coat of underseal if it is to continue to flourish but it really is testament to how well-engineered these cars are.

NB: the car comes with some spare parts; please contact the vendor for a description of what is included.

The Mercedes doesn’t have a current MOT certificate as the last one expired in 2015 and while it is exempt by virtue of its age, we would strongly encourage the new owner to have the car re-MOT’d at the earliest. The cost of an MOT is a small investment when offset against the purchase and upkeep of any classic car, and it gives an independent, third-party assessment of the car’s condition, which not only provides reassurance to the owner (and any subsequent purchasers) but might also be invaluable in the event of a bump when negotiating with the police and any interested insurance companies…

It comes with its original handbook and a few expired MOT certificates.

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

If you’d like to inspect the car prior to placing a bid – something we would encourage – then please use the Contact Seller button to arrange an appointment.

NB. We know that many of you will be limiting your social exposure over the coming days and weeks, so if you’d rather not come to see the car in person, please contact the owner and ask if they can shoot a personal video of the car honing in on any areas you’d like them to concentrate on.

We are seeing an awful lot of interest in old Mercedes like this; well-engineered and massively over-built, few cars survive the passage of several decades better.

They’re effortlessly cool too, largely because they don’t try too hard – and this is a very nicely spec’d example; simply finished in classic white, it looks stunning both inside and out.

And yet, for all their many positive attributes, we think they’re still far cheaper than they should be. This one, for example, will probably only sell for somewhere between £9,500 and £12,000 – and we defy you to find a more sensible way to invest such a paltry sum.

Viewing is always encouraged, and this particular car is located with the seller in 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’.

This vehicle is not with us at The Market’s HQ near Abingdon, which means we have had to rely on the owner’s description of it, in conjunction with the photographs you see here, to compile the listing.

With this in mind, we would encourage potential bidders to contact the owner themselves and arrange to view the car in person, or to arrange a dedicated video call in which they can view the car virtually and ask questions.