2005 Mercedes-Benz SL500

With a full service carried out under 2,000 miles ago, an advisory-free MoT until July 2024 and nearly new tyres on all four corners, this 2005 Mercedes-Benz SL500 also benefits from a recent valet and machine polish, making ‘RX05 AKJ’ match-fit and ready to thrill and delight its new owner. 

Not that that is the extent of the good news because it might only have been in the seller’s hands for the past 12 months but it was with the previous owner for a decade and we’re told he “lavished money on it whenever it was needed”.

Its move to Scotland is recent, so it’s spent the vast majority of its life in the sunnier and warmer South of England – and it’s been kept in a heated garage on a trickle charger while north of the border, so even the harsh Scottish winters haven’t had much chance to affect it.

Being sold only reluctantly, this list of attributes gives the owner sufficient faith in his car to offer it with no reserve, so it’ll sell from the very first bid, no matter how derisory that might be.

Exciting, isn’t it? 

Black is the most unforgiving of all colours, mercilessly highlighting flaws, blemishes and imperfections with the ruthlessness of 4K film on an aging actor.

And yet, when the underlying panels are this good, few colours rival it for discreet menace and understated elegance, especially when the badges have been blacked-out and the chrome kept minimal.

Dial in shutlines that look like they’re painted on and ripple-free flanks and this SL presents very well indeed.

The black 18-inch alloy wheels are in good shape and while the rest of the wheel has been finished in black the radial accents have been left silver. They’re also fitted with Rapid Ecosport tyres on the front and Grenlander on the rear, which we’re told were fitted by the previous owner approximately 4,000 miles ago.

The lamp lenses, badges and glazing are also good.

As for that clever panoramic roof, which was an £8,000 option when new, it is not only in a good cosmetic condition but the seller says it “operates perfectly”. 

Flaws seem to be limited to the small mark you can see in the photos on the offside corner of the rear bumper. 

While the exterior is sleek minimalism, the interior is nothing less than leather-clad opulence. 

With electrically adjustable sports seats that are both heated and cooled plus a Bose sound system and keyless entry and starting, this is a car that cossets as well as it thrills.

As you can see, it’s also been as well maintained as the rest of the car; mind you, it might be eighteen years old but it’s only covered 52,000 miles in its life, so its condition shouldn’t come as too much of a surprise.

The wood trim still looks excellent, as do the carpets; light colours like this will betray a careless owner, so the fact this one looks as good as it does speaks volumes as to its curation over the years.

This means flaws are few. While the front seats are still firm and comfortable, the driver’s side has a slightly rumpled appearance. It also has a few creases on the outside bolster and the stitching on the offside has also frayed just a little.

The vendor also notes that the sat nav has recently stopped working.

The service history booklet and the invoices in the history file show the following routine servicing:

• 28.07.2007 and 18,862 miles – service by Mercedes-Benz of Redhill
• 18.01.2009 and 24,018 miles – service by Geyfords Mercedes-Benz 
• 01.05.2012 and 34,566 miles – service by Cardoc Motorist Centre
• 17.03.2014 and 38,691 miles – service by Cardoc Motorist Centre
• 20.09.2019 and 43,853 miles – oil and filter service plus a new Active Body Control (ABC) pump, filter and fluid by Wayne Gates of Harrow 
• 29.03.2023 and 48,413 miles – service by Moray Motor Services

There are many other receipts for non-routine work over the years. Please take the time to look through them to appreciate the way the car has been maintained.

The seller tells us the rain and parking sensors work as they should, as does the ABC suspension, with the latter being an important part of the SL’s driver appeal.

With just two previous registered keepers, the SL’s MoT certificate is valid until July 2024 and it was gained, like so many before, with no advisories being issued.

The recent Vehicle History Check is clear and the Mercedes comes with a very good service history.

NB: The personalized registration number you see in the photos is being kept by the seller and the SL will revert to the number ‘RX05 AKJ’.

The R230 Mercedes-Benz SL500 is a well-respected car, capable of wafting you and a loved one across continents as effectively as it will shuttle you to your local supermarket for the weekly shop. This example has the added benefit of being ULEZ compliant.

As refined with the roof down as it is with it up, the SL blends sportiness and civility better than most making it the ideal sportscar with which to dip your toe into the world of the modern classic.

Only for sale because he’s bought a new car to add to his collection and is about to run out of space, we think it’ll fetch somewhere between £8,000 and £12,000 – but as it’s being sold with no reserve, it’s going to sell from the very first bid.

Viewing is strongly encouraged, and this lot is located with the vendor in Grantown-on-Spey, Scotland. Viewings are strictly by appointment. To make a booking, 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, and read our ‘Frequently Asked Questions’.