Sold
Car & Classic

1998 Mercedes-Benz SL280 R129

Sold for

£8,500

Ended 1 Jun 2026

Data from Car & Classic, updated on 10 Oct 2026

Year
1998
Mileage
58,000 miles
Gearbox
Automatic
Engine
2799cc
Colour
Blue
Location
Surrey, United Kingdom

Specification

Fuel
Petrol
Steering
Right Hand Drive
Auction house guide
£7,200 – £9,850

Description

Highlights

  • In current ownership for over 17 years
  • Three former registered keepers
  • Mercedes-Benz specialist-maintained service history from new, supported by invoices
  • Complete set of original booklets in the original leather folder
  • Soft top mechanism fully refurbished in 2025 by marque specialists SL Shop

The Appeal

The facelifted R129 SL is increasingly recognised as the one to have. Mercedes-Benz refined Bruno Sacco's masterpiece with improved gearboxes, updated electronics, and better features as standard, including Xenon headlamps and Nappa leather. The SL280 offers the smooth refinement of Mercedes-Benz's V6 with the robust build quality and elegant design that defined the marque's grand tourers of the 1990s. With both a factory hard top and a matching blue fabric soft top, it is a car built for year-round enjoyment.

This 1998 example in Azurite Blue metallic over light tan leather has been cherished by its current keeper since 2008, with only three former registered keepers before that. It is accompanied by a Mercedes-Benz specialist-maintained service history from new, a record of invoices, and a complete set of original booklets in the original leather folder. The vendor describes this as a highly original, well-preserved example that drives smoothly and presents very well.

Key Information

  • Mileage: 58,000 miles (supported by specialist service history)
  • Country of registration: United Kingdom
  • Technical inspection status: MOT valid until 5th October 2026
  • Technical specs: 2.8-litre V6 petrol, four-speed automatic
  • Paperwork: record of invoices and complete set of original booklets in original leather folder, book stamped to 2019, invoices for more recent servicing including x2 from SL shop dated late 2025

Service history (book stamps, see gallery for more recent invoices)

  • 11/19 - 53,297 miles - SS Motors
  • 12/17 - 50,877 miles - SS Motors
  • 08/15 - 47,142 miles - SS Motors
  • 11/13 - 43,918 miles - SS Motors
  • 11/11 - 37,675 miles - SS Motors
  • 01/09 - 27,711 miles - Carlians
  • 11/08 - 22,444 miles - Carlians
  • 06/06 - 19,981 miles - Mercedes-Benz Newbury
  • 05/04 - 15,321 miles - Mercedes-Benz Tony Purslow
  • 09/02 - 11,982 miles - Mercedes-Benz Tony Purslow
  • 09/01 - 10,104 miles - Mercedes-Benz Tony Purslow
  • 01/01 - 7,493 miles - Mercedes-Benz Tony Purslow
  • 12/98 - Mercedes-Benz Tony Purslow - pre-delivery inspection

The Detail

  • Azurite Blue metallic paintwork in good condition overall, with a few chip marks from road use
  • Front bumper has a small patch of worn paint
  • Driver's side wheel arch has a small area of corrosion
  • The vendor states the factory hard top is in very good condition; soft top is showing some signs of age
  • Soft top opening and closing mechanism fully refurbished in 2025 by SL Shop
  • Light tan leather interior across front and rear seats appears in very good condition
  • All instruments and switchgear are reported as working
  • Air conditioning is not working
  • Tyres reportedly in good condition, with two brand new
  • Engine is factory standard and reported to run well
  • Manufacturer's hard top stand is not included

BEFORE YOU BUY

This sale is subject to the Car & Classic Terms and Conditions. By bidding and/or making an offer, you also agree to the following:

✓ The seller is registered as a private seller which means consumer rights stemming from EU consumer protection law do not come into effect. However, you are still covered by Car & Classic’s own Terms and Conditions..

✓ We request that a non-refundable fee be paid if you are the lucky winning bidder at auction or if your offer is accepted Please refer to our helpful FAQs and T&Cs for specific rates.

✓ This vehicle is “Sold As Seen”, on an “As Is Where Is’ basis and without warranty. Photos and descriptions are solely for guidance purposes and it's customary to carry out a full inspection of the vehicle prior to purchase for your own peace of mind.

✓ VAT is included in the buyer's fee. VAT may or may not be included in the final bid or offer price, as specified in the listing.

✓ We want a smooth transaction just as much as you do and as such we run all UK-registered cars and motorbikes for sale on Car & Classic through an online HPI check to verify that they show no insurance database markers for damage or theft, and have no finance owing, allowing you to bid with confidence.

✓ We also check whether vehicles are recorded as being written off as part of an insurance total loss claim at the time an advert is placed on Car & Classic and we helpfully provide write-off category labels (Cat C/D/S/N) for your assistance. However, the presence or absence of a label does not guarantee the vehicle’s status and it is always worthwhile carrying out your own full vehicle history check before making an offer on a vehicle.

✓ Buyers are responsible for vehicle collection

or delivery. Importing vehicles may result in additional customs duties and import taxes so it's worth checking beforehand. It is the bidders responsibility to confirm import eligibility prior to purchase.

✓ Unless stated otherwise, you must assume that any cherished, personalised, or heritage vehicle registration is not included in the sale of a vehicle.

Comparable sales

Sold prices from auctions that ended in the last 24 months. Chart shows the last 12 months. The latest 25 sales carry details. Prices in GBP.

Median sold price

£9,750

Sold range

£3,100 – £35,000

Sold lots

79

Price trend

Rising

Sold 13% below the R129 median

Jan 2026Apr 2026Jul 2026Oct 2026
See all results

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