2004 Mercedes-Benz CL 500

Garaged throughout its life, this delightful CL500 is being offered for auction from a fastidious owner who’s had it in his care for the past 11 years.

How fastidious?

Well, he’s only ever used 99-octane 5* star petrol since he bought it from its second keeper in 2015, its last service was in August 2026, the gearbox oil was last changed in 2024, it had new and matching tyres fitted last year, and he insists that his garage uses only genuine Mercedes-Benz parts.

He also tells us that: “Everything electrical, mechanical and hydraulic works from the 'soft' closing doors and entry lights to the ABC and a smooth changing gearbox. The carpets are still like new as I used over-rugs. The spare wheel is unused and all the accompaniments remain untouched.”

Said to be one of only five Mercedes-Benz CL500s finished in Pearlite Grey, ‘LT54 AKG’ is as rare as it is impeccably presented.

Pearlite Grey is such a wonderfully understated colour that we’re at a bit of a loss to understand why it wasn’t more popular. Still, its status as just one of five ever produced in this colour simply adds rarity to its many accomplishments.

It also showcases the CL’s panel alignment, which makes itself known by way of shutlines so tight and consistent they might have been drawn on with a fine-tipped Sharpie.

And those shutlines are best appreciated from what must be the car’s best angle, its profile: Low and sleek, with the windows powered down you can also appreciate the pillarless windows and lack of a B-pillar.

The rear end is equally convincing with well-aligned tailpipes, and colourful and damage-free rear lamp units. All four corners are free of park-by-feel scuffs too, as are the door mirror cases.

The five-spoke AMG alloy wheels make a good case for themselves too: Simple and elegant (and therefore easy to keep clean!), while the rear wheels are oxidised and a couple of them show very light scuffs, they’re still very presentable.

They’re also fitted with a recent set of Bridgestone Potenza tyres; three were made between 2022 and 2023, with the nearside rear having been replaced in August 2025. All have at least legal tread on them and no obvious damage to their sidewalls.

We will never get tired of telling you that experience shows that matching high-quality 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.

As for blemishes, there are a few – but only a few. The front end has stonechips, peeling paint on the bumper, cloudy headlamps and a delaminating numberplate. The offside rear wing and roof are bubbling where they meet, and the OSR wing is also bubbling on its wheelarch and has a scratch in the middle of the panel and flaking paint on its leading edge.

The passenger door has two chips in its middle and the nearside rear wheelarch is also bubbling. However, the seller tells us that the bubbling on the rear wheelarches is the paint reacting and not rust.

The cabin is a beguiling blend of high-quality grey leather and lavish burr walnut trim. Both are still in an excellent condition with no apparent damage and nothing more than gentle creasing after more than 21 years old of use.

The front seats balance the competing demands of support and comfort very well; obviously, they tend more towards the luxurious side than the sporting, but we doubt anyone is going to find their lateral support lacking.

They also offer electrical operation, adjustable lumbar support, and two-stage heating. Both sides also have a three-position memory function, which is located on a burr walnut panels that sits in (very good) leather-trimmed door cards.

The 2+2 rear seats might offer limited legroom, but they’d be ideal for children over long distances and more than usable for adults over shorter ones. Access is also very good, the combination of pillarless doors and built-in front seatbelts removing the usual two obstacles. As you can see, their condition is spectacularly good.

The carpets are in good shape too, not least than because the seller tells us they’ve always been protected by overmats, which are themselves still in good order.

The headlining is also taut and undamaged, and while is there is small patch of grubbiness above the driver’s seat, the rest is admirably clean. This includes the sunroof lining, whose lack of water stains suggests the sunroof remains watertight. It certainly slides fore and aft smoothly and sits foursquare in its aperture.

Other nice conveniences include climate-control, electric windows all around, the ability to flip the rear headrests up and down remotely, automatic lights, front cupholders, a built-in sat-nav system, electric mirrors, and a ‘Sport’ button for the Active Body Control, or ABC.

The cabin also remains completely standard, including the presence of the factory first aid kit in the rear armrest, which will not do the car’s future value any harm.

As for flaws and faults, the fact we’re leading with the nearside netting pocket being slightly damaged and the presence of a couple of sticky buttons speaks volumes because everything else, including the elasticated pockets on the back of the front seats and the sliding tambour door between the rear seats, work well.

Moving into the boot, the full tool kit is present and correct including the white gloves. Its condition suggests none of it has ever been used, and the tool kit sits within a neat case that itself lies snugly inside a full-size alloy spare wheel that is fitted with a Bridgestone Potenza tyre, albeit it from 2004.

The boot also contains the DVD player for the sat-nav system, a CD-multichanger, and a hazard warning triangle in the boot lid. The base is covered by a very good and easily removed carpet, and lifting it all out reveals nothing other than a solid and well-painted floor.

The CL’s service history is recorded as follows:

· 02.05.2006 and 4,834 miles – service by Mercedes-Benz Chelsea

· 08.08.2007 and 7,761 miles – service by Mercedes-Benz Chelsea

· 24.11.2008 and 10,350 miles – service by Mercedes-Benz Chelsea

· 11.08.2016 and 31,527 miles – service by Mercedes-Benz Northampton

· 25.07.2017 and 35,466 miles – service by Mercedes-Benz Northampton

· 12.07.2018 and 40,080 miles – service by Mercedes-Benz Northampton

· 06.11.2019 and 47,749 miles – service by Superior Cars

· 16.09.2020 and 50,734 miles – service by Mercedes-Benz Northampton including fresh coolant and brake fluid, and servicing the automatic transmission

· 17.08.2021 and 53,713 miles – service by DC Watson

· 21.03.2023 and 61,993 miles – service by DC Watson including front and rear brake pads

· 16.07.2024 and 68,813 miles – service by DC Watson including a new pollen filter, fresh brake fluid, and servicing the automatic transmission

· 30.07.2025 and 75,368 miles – service by DC Watson including new pollen filters and cleaning the throttle bodies

· 03.08.2026 and 81,148 miles – service by DC Watson including recharging the air-conditioning system and welding the exhaust system in four places

As you can see, the five-litre V8 engine starts well, idles solidly, and revs with enthusiasm – and it does it all without expelling any blue or black smoke from the exhausts.

The seller has taken his beloved CL500 to their house in Jerez twice and to Berlin for the 35th anniversary of the wall coming down; part of the reason he looks after his cars so well – including insisting that only genuine Mercedes-Benz parts are used – is so that he can enjoy exercising them properly.

However, after a recent battery change the oil sensor message comes up and is cleared by the reset button. The Active Body Control light stays illuminated until the body height is correct, a TPMS sensor needs replacing, and the electronic valve lifters need realigning.

As for the cosmetics, while the engine is largely obscured by plastic beauty covers, what we can see looks to be as clean and well-maintained as the paper trail suggests it should be.

The underside appears to be remarkably clean and free of the sort of scuffs and scratches we were starting to think were inevitable. The repairs to the exhaust system are obvious, although it didn’t warrant a mention during any of the previous MoTs.

Our seller tell us: “The car was involved in a slight rear side impact about 2008 and I bought it a few years after the repair was carried out by Mercedes. I have all the paperwork about the repair.”

This is not shown on the HPI report, which is clear bar a marker for the car not being taxed.

The CL’s MoT certificate is valid until January 2027.

The history file contains a large number of expired MoT certificates, notes on some of its quirks, a printout of its main dealer history, two stamped service history booklets, invoices for work and parts over the years, and the Mercedes-Benz wallet and book pack.

NB: A clerical error means that DC Watson has recorded some services as having been done by them rather than Mercedes-Benz or Superior Cars. The M-B service history booklet and the invoices on file are correct.

Offering iconic looks with near-modern performance and reliability, cars like the Mercedes-Benz CL500 hit the sweetspot for many, delivering the advantages of classic motoring with few of the drawbacks.

They can also offer solid financial sense.

Take this one, for example: Fresh from fastidious long-term ownership, we suspect the virtual hammer will only fall between £4,000 and £6,000 but as it is being offered with no reserve, it may go to a new home even more cheaply than that.

And, given we doubt they’ll fall much further, you may do better than you think in the medium- to long-term…

Viewing is strongly encouraged, and this lot is located at THE MARKET HQ in South Oxfordshire. Viewings are STRICTLY BY APPOINTMENT and we are open weekdays (apart from Bank Holidays) 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’.