2007 Mercedes-Benz ML63 AMG

First registered on 23 January 2007, this second-generation W164 ML63 AMG has the true 6.3-litre free-breathing monster V8 under the bonnet and the AMG Speedshift 7G-Tronic seven-speed automatic transmission with permanent 4Matic four wheel drive. Being at the top end of an already luxurious model also means that the car has pretty much every conceivable optional extra.

This car has had 5 previous owners, mainly in the Kent area, and they have collectively clocked up a little over 86,000 miles, which in 13 years isn’t especially low but it certainly isn’t stratospheric like many Merc SUVs out there. 

One of his bucket-list cars, the current owner bought the AMG earlier this year having watched it on a dealer’s website for some months (haven’t we all done that?). It’s been used mostly for general domestic duties but the pandemic has forced a change of job and reluctantly he needs a car more suited to his new commute. 

Just because it’s a Mercedes-Benz, it doesn’t mean that it has to be silver to hark back to the national motorsport racing colours - but this one is. Less of a streamlined ‘Silver Arrow’, this Iridium Silver Metallic ML63 is more like a ‘Silver Brick’ but the colour really suits it and the paintwork and body on the car is very strong. There are stone chips around the nose, as you might expect, but it’s difficult to find anything other than tiny flaws in the finish elsewhere.

Up front, the chromed grille looks good and the sidesteps seem undamaged although with a little pitting. There appears to be a slight cloudiness around the headlamp lenses, more noticeable on the near side. 

The ML63 sits on 19-inch five-spoke AMG alloys which are in good order and all are fitted with Michelin Latitude Sport tyres dated from 2017. As you may know we like to wave a flag at this point to tell you that recent, good quality matching rubber is typically an indicator of a mechanically sympathetic owner who doesn’t cut corners on maintenance. 

The interior is black and therefore hard to see in the photos but we understand that it is in immaculate condition. The perforated black AMG leather across the heated electric memory seats is unmarked and has resisted any undue wear.

Although it’s an automatic, the steering wheel features the tiny +/- markers to let you know of the small speedshift paddles hiding behind - perfect if you want to let the revs and exhaust roar build. All the toys are understood to be working - like the sat nav, CD changer and bluetooth phone module. There’s even a remote keypad for the infotainment system in case you’re brave enough to give control over the music to the kids in the back. 

The car is with the vendor in Bournemouth, and although an in-person inspection may be a challenge at present, why not use the ‘Contact Seller’ option to ask any questions or see if you can arrange a video call to take a closer look at the fabulous condition of this ML63. 

There is little to report from under the bonnet besides the presence of an enormous lump of AMG V8, complete with “Handcrafted by” plaque, tightly packed around with the various ancillaries. All appears to be tidy and well looked after with perishable items renewed as necessary.

The undersides of the car looks pretty clean and undamaged with no sign of corrosion on underbody, structural members or suspension components. These cars have air-adjustable suspension which is understood to be fully functioning. 

Whilst there are no photos inside the rear of the car, we hear that the condition matches that of the car’s interior and that the boot cover is still present and intact, something that often disappears during an SUV’s life when the need to transport lots of gear meets the practicality of an open cargo space. Nonetheless the privacy glass in the back half of the vehicle will also keep prying eyes off your stuff.

The ML has a current MoT certificate valid until June 2021 and passed with no advisories. The online DVSA history shows a full set of annual tests and passes since it first required a test in 2010, with just one failure in 2018 for emissions and a few advisories along the way mostly for tyres or brake discs. The record also logs the progressive increase in the car’s mileage each year - save for November 2019 when no doubt a tired mechanic in a gloomy workshop misread or mis-transcribed the numbers.

The car’s service history, as logged in the maintenance booklet, shows that either MB service centres or marque specialists have looked after the car: 

Jan 2020 - 82,060 - MBZ Autos Mercedes specialist Canterbury

Apr 2019 - 81,003 - MBZ Autos Mercedes specialist Canterbury

Oct 2015 - 68,399 - Vikings Mercedes-Benz Canterbury

May 2013 - 48,986 - Vikings Mercedes-Benz Canterbury

May 2012 - 40,044 - Vikings Mercedes-Benz Canterbury

Jun 2010 - 23,304 - Vikings Mercedes-Benz Canterbury

Jun 2009 - 12,059 - Saxton 4x4 Mercedes specialist Brentwood

Feb 2008 - 7,878 - Mercedes-Benz Bromley

By the time this auction completes, the car will have undergone a gearbox service (booked for 9 Nov) with a replacement internal speed sensor to rectify a very occasional glitch which the vendor would rather not pass on to the new owner.

The car comes with two keys, owner’s manual pouch and its original certificate of compliance from Mercedes-Benz. It won’t retain the ‘personalised’ plate - sorry to disappoint anyone called Gok or Reg - but will revert to its previous ‘personalised’ plate L600NDB.

The vendor reports that the car has no other known faults and runs perfectly. Despite expectations to the contrary, he also gets a reasonable 20mpg from the ML63 although he does concede that a heavy right foot will return closer to 10mpg. It might not be the most frugal but the ML63 is a strong performer with a high degree of comfort and a quality finish and has one of the best engine and exhaust sound combos around.

Upwards of £75k when new, we think asking prices on these modern classics have bottomed out and are now rising again. So we expect it will fetch between £10,000 and £15,000. 

Second-gen ML AMGs don’t come to market that often, especially in such an original and complete condition with sub-100k miles, so if you like your performance with amazing levels of comfort and a heavy rock soundtrack then this one is right up your Strasse.

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

If needed, please remember we have a network of trusted suppliers we work with regularly and can recommend: Classic & Sportscar Finance for purchase-financing, Footman James for classic car insurance Thames Valley Car Storage for storing your car and AnyVan for transporting it.

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.

BORING, but IMPORTANT: Please note that whilst we at The Market always aim to offer the most descriptive and transparent auction listings available, we cannot claim they are perfect analyses of any of the vehicles for sale. We offer far greater opportunity for bidders to view, or arrange inspections for each vehicle thoroughly prior to bidding than traditional auctions, and we never stop encouraging bidders to take advantage of this. We do take a good look at the vehicles delivered to our premises for sale, but this only results in our unbiased personal observations, not those of a qualified inspector or other professional, or the result of a long test drive.

Also, localised paint repairs are common with collectable and classic cars and if they have been professionally carried out then they may be impossible to detect, even if we see the car in person. So, unless we state otherwise, please assume that this vehicle may have had remedial bodywork at some point in its life.

Additionally, please note that most of the videos on our site have been recorded using simple cameras which often result in 'average' sound quality; in particular, engines and exhausts notes can sound a little different to how they are in reality. 
Please note that this is sold as seen and that, as is normal for used goods bought at auction, the Sale of Goods Act 1979 does not apply. See our FAQs for more info, and feel free to inspect any vehicle as much as you wish.