2005 Mercedes-Benz SLK 350

Still in the hands of its original owners, who bought it as a retirement present to themselves, the sales invoice shows they ticked the boxes for:

• Marine Blue metallic paint (£600),
• Alpaca Grey leather upholstery (a bit of a bargain at £900),
• Ten-spoke alloy wheels (£180),
• Parameter steering (£200), Parktronic (£590), and Rainsensor (a curiously specific £90.01),
• Seven-speed Tronic automatic gearbox (£1,770),
• Phone pre-wiring that includes Bluetooth connectivity (£420) and a phone cradle (£131),
• The clever Airscarf (£340), plus fire extinguisher (£105), heated seats (£310), and velour mats (£48). 

Tot that little lot up, add the base price of £34,185, and you arrive at an on-the-road price of £40,609.

A prudent pair with an eye on the long-term, they also treated ‘RV05 MRU’ to a Superguard treatment to preserve that gorgeous blue paintwork. They used the same Mercedes-Benz main agent throughout for servicing too; if you’re looking for an original example with an impeccable provenance, look no further. 

Only ever used as a second car (day-to-day duties were the responsibility of their family workhorse), they’re starting to find it a bit hard to get in and out of, so if you’ve ever lusted after an SLK350, this is the one to buy.   

The SLK’s design is as fresh now as it ever was; pop a private registration number on and the casual observer could easily mistake it for a much, much newer car.

And that timeless design is helped by the fact that this one is in an absolutely stunning condition with razor-sharp shutlines, perfect panel alignment, and not a single dink, dent or ripple, which is remarkable given it’s galloping towards its 21st birthday.

The Marine Blue paintwork is gorgeous too thanks to an unbeatable combination of Superguard and fastidious, one-owner-from-new curation. 

And aren’t the 17-inch, ten-spoke wheels magnificent? Their design gives a good view of the ventilated brake discs and discreet calipers behind, and even the lacquer has survived the passage of two decades with impressive aplomb. There are a few very light scuffs to both front wheels and the offside rear, but only a few and only very light.

The tyres are, obviously, matching high-quality Michelin Pilot Sport 5. The front tyres are 225/45ZR17 in size, while the rear rubber is 245/40ZR17. All were made in 2023 and all have good tread left. 

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. 

The folding metal roof transitions between its two states at the touch of a button. It is also, and this should not be underestimated, balletic in its execution and we can’t imagine ever getting tired of watching it rise and fall.

The lamp lenses are free of cracks and yellowing too, the badges are bright and unsullied, and the glazing is perfect.

As for flaws, the front has the usual stonechips, the doors have the usual minor chips to their trailing edges, the wheel bolts are rusty, and there is a small area of peeling paint on the nearside rear parking sensor and on the underside of the boot lid.

In other words, just the usual wear ‘n’ tear but even lighter than normal. 

The blend of Alpaca Grey leather and high-quality black plastics makes for an interior that’s both elegant and timeless. Of course, that would count for naught if it had been abused but, as you can see, nothing could be further from the truth.

It’s so good, in fact, that we can lead with its only flaws, which are a small hole in the wind deflector and dirty door shuts, which are surely the very definition of #firstworldproblems 

However, its beauty is more than skin-deep because everything works as well now as it ever has. 

The seats are still firm, resilient, and very comfortable. They’ve got almost unblemished leather covers too, plus electrical adjustment and heating elements in addition to a three-position memory function on both seats, an oft-overlooked feature that makes swapping between occupants more convenient than it would otherwise be.

Our introduction listed the gadgets our sellers paid extra for and to those you should add a multifunction steering wheel, electric mirrors and windows, cruise control, power-folding seats, and remote central locking.

Plus, of course, that clever roof that allows you to take advantage of the wind deflector and Airscarf, a combination that extends your roof-down driving well into the autumn and early in the spring; it’s a remarkably effective combination – and that’s without considering how powerful the heater and heated seats are!

Because the SLK is as practical as it is stylish; witness the storage compartments behind and between the seats, the good-sized glovebox and door pockets, the elasticated netting pocket on the passenger footwell, and the commodious boot. 

A fire extinguisher has been fitted in front of the driver’s seat too, while the first aid kit lurks in the boot alongside a space-saver spare wheel, tyre inflator, and tool kit, none of which appear to have been used. Lifting it all out reveals only solid, well-painted metal but you were ahead of us there, weren’t you?

The SLK’s service history is recorded as follows:

• 18.04.2005 – final inspection stamp from the factory
• 03.04.2007 and 6,048 miles – service by Mercedes-Benz of Newbury
• 15.04.2009 and 11,983 miles – service by Mercedes-Benz of Newbury
• 11.05.2011 and 15,540 miles – service by Mercedes-Benz of Newbury
• 28.05.2013 and 19,595 miles – service by Mercedes-Benz of Newbury
• 13.05.2015 and 21,869 miles – service by Mercedes-Benz of Newbury
• 14.03.2017 and 25,050 miles – service by Mercedes-Benz of Newbury
• 18.03.2019 and 29,609 miles – service by Mercedes-Benz of Newbury
• 31.03.2021 and 31,506 miles – service by Mercedes-Benz of Newbury
• 17.03.2023 and 41,612 miles – service by Mercedes-Benz of Newbury
• 18.03.2025 and 47,248 miles – service by Mercedes-Benz of Newbury

That’s an impressive record, isn’t it? And, as you’d expect given the quality of the curation, the V6 engine starts promptly before settling into a rock-solid idle. It revs freely too and delivers a cracking exhaust note. 

It also does it all without triggering any warning lights on the dashboard either.

(We should also note it’s got almost a full tank of petrol, which is a fast-appreciated asset right there.)

The engine bay is in a good condition too; clean enough to be able to pop the bonnet in any company and yet not so clean you’ll be afraid to use it. Even stuff like the underbonnet sound insulation, which invariably breaks up and gets torn, is undamaged. 

If we’re being picky then the bonnet latches have gone a bit rusty, the front valance has some scuffs to the nearside corner, and the rear valance has what appears to be stress cracks in the centre of its lower edge.  

The SLK’s MoT certificate is valid until March 2027, the recent Vehicle History Check is clear, and the SL comes with two key fobs.

Its history file includes many invoices in addition to the Mercedes-Benz book pack and wallet.

Depreciation can be a cruel master: The SL cost its first owners a little over £40,000, which, when you allow for inflation, would be around £72,000 today. 

Yet, thanks to depreciation, we suspect this one could be yours for as little as a tenth of that – and even our top estimate is just £12,000, which is stellar value as it is one of the best, if not the best, SLK350 we’ve ever seen with a long list of desirable extras and finished in what might be the very best colour of them all.

It’s also being offered with no reserve, so it’ll be gaining a new name on the V5 Registration Certificate after the very first bid has been placed. 

C’mon, you know it makes sense.

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’.