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Curated Auction

1999 Mercedes-Benz SLK 230 (R170) – Reserve Met

At a Glance

Low miles | 1 Former Keeper | Recent Service | Excellent Presentation

  • Mileage~25,022
  • TransmissionAutomatic
  • Engine2.3L
  • LocationHemel Hempstead

Curated Auction

We’ve visited this car, taken the images and written the description below - we’ve also verified the seller’s ID and actioned a HPi report - learn more

Curated Auction

We’ve visited this car, taken the images and written the description below - we’ve also verified the seller’s ID and actioned a HPi report - learn more

CURATED AUCTION

Days
HRS
MIN
SEC
CURRENT BID£3,500
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AUCTION LIVE

ENDS IN: 56 Days 12 Hr 51 Min51 Sec

CURRENT BID

£3,500

Introduction

Darren Rungasamy
Consigner and Editor

The SLK is a great choice for anyone seeking a modern-classic roadster with contemporary finesse and refinement.

The Mercedes-Benz SLK, introduced in 1996, played a pivotal role in revitalizing the affordable roadster market during the 1990s. It offered a unique blend of luxury, performance, and cutting-edge technology that set it apart from other convertibles of the era. The most groundbreaking feature was undoubtedly its innovative VarioRoof—a fully retractable steel hardtop that could transform the SLK from a sleek coupe to a wind-in-your-hair roadster in just ~25 seconds. This was a game-changer, as it combined the best of both worlds: the protection and refinement of a coupe with the open-air freedom of a convertible.

The SLK230 with its 2.3-litre supercharged engine was a perfect blend of performance and practicality, striking a sweet spot between power and fuel efficiency. Producing ~190BHP, the engine offered plenty of punch, providing a lively driving experience while still maintaining decent fuel economy for a sports car of its class. The supercharger helped deliver strong low-end torque, which made the SLK230 feel quick off the line and responsive in a variety of driving conditions.

This 1999 Mercedes-Benz SLK230 is an exceptional find. It is finished in silver, has leather seats, and carbon fibre trim, and is fitted with 17-inch AMG alloy wheels. With just over ~25,000 miles on the clock, it's been well cared for by its two owners, with the first keeping it for an impressive ~24 years. It has four service stamps, and an MOT until July 2025. It has recently been serviced and comes with its owner's wallet booklets, two sets of keys and has spent much of its life indoors when not in use.

This listing was written from information supplied by Darren after meeting Bob the owner, and having visited and photographed the vehicle.

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Full Transparency

8 out of 10 people that buy cars via our service don’t feel the need to visit due to the transparency and thoroughness of our listings.

Vehicle Delivery

We're there every step of your buying journey and will even arrange pick-up and delivery of your new vehicle.

Secure Auctions

We verify all our sellers and buyers to keep our community safe whilst also providing the highest levels of website security.

Full Transparency

8 out of 10 people that buy cars via our service don’t feel the need to visit due to the transparency and thoroughness of our listings.

Vehicle Delivery

We're there every step of your buying journey and will even arrange pick-up and delivery of your new vehicle.

Meet the owner

It belonged to my neighbour, who kept the car in the best possible condition, and I couldn't resist it when he offered it to me!

Bob purchased the car directly from his neighbour in 2023 and has enjoyed it as a leisurely weekend car, covering just over ~1,500 miles since then.

Impressed by the car’s solidity, power, and engineering, the decision to sell is a forced one due to health reasons. Bob will be happy to answer any questions about the car in the comments section below.

Bob
Vehicle Owner

Ask Questions

CONTACT OWNER

Exterior

The combination of its stylish and tidy appearance, supports the impressively low mileage.

Wheels and Tyres

The 17” AMG alloys are in good condition overall. They show some signs of age, particularly on the nearside wheel, which has visible wear, but they remain clean and presentable.

The car is fitted with Michelin Pilot Sport tyres, which, although over 10 years old, still have decent tread depth remaining.

Bodywork

The panel gaps are consistent, and the fit of the panels is flush, indicating a well-maintained body. The doors open and close with ease. The boot struts were replaced in 2023. There are a couple of minor imperfections: a tiny dent on the boot edge and a small scuff on the nearside front wing lip where the metal has been exposed. The car’s structure is solid, with no issues noted on the floor pan, boot floor, suspension mounts, engine bay, or wheel wells. Aside from these minor blemishes, the car is free from any significant damage.

We've highlighted in more detail our observations through our high-resolution images and videos, so please take time to look through all the media files for a detailed view of what’s on offer, and for you to assess the condition of the car for yourselves.

Paint

The silver paint has a glossy lustre and remains consistent across the body, showcasing the car’s well-preserved appearance. There are a handful of minor chips on the nose and a few light surface scuffs, typical of age, but they do not detract from the overall condition. The car has spent the majority of its life kept in a garage, and shows no signs of wear from outdoor exposure or harsh elements.

The images are taken from a few different angles to show off the car as you would see it if you were standing there for yourselves. So please take the time to fully assess these high-resolution images and videos of the car, for you to make up your own minds about the condition of the paint.

Glass and Trim

The trim, glass and seals are in smart condition, with no signs of age or damage. The headlights and lenses are clear and free from any cracks or clouding.

The bumpers are flush and well-aligned with the bodywork, maintaining a level fit. A minor scuff is noted on the nearside corner of the front bumper

Interior

Smartly presented, the interior shows a few cosmetic issues, though they do not detract from the careful ownership and overall quality.

Seats and Carpets

The leather seats are in decent condition, with some light marks on the passenger side but no significant wear.

The carpets are clean, showing no signs of wear or dampness, indicating the car has been well cared for. The boot carpet is also in good condition, though there are a few minor scuffs on the boot trim plastics, typical of age and use.

Dashboard

The dashboard shows superficial wear on the rubber-like coating, particularly around the glovebox, key fob area, and centre console, where the plastic underneath is exposed. Despite this, the controls, dials, and switches remain in good condition and function as expected.

The car is complement with a carbon fibre high gloss trim, and all the panels in this area are in excellent shape. All interior functions are reported to work correctly, with the headlining in good condition. The door cards are free of significant marks, although there is some light wear on the driver’s side interior handle.

Steering Wheel / Gear Stick

Both the steering wheel and gear lever are in excellent condition, showing minimal signs of wear and remaining clean.

Mechanics

The SLK230 a versatile and sophisticated choice for buyers looking for a balance between sports car thrills and everyday usability.

Engine and Gearbox

The car starts up immediately without any hesitation. The engine idles smoothly, with no rattles or misfires. Upon warming up, any condensation quickly clears, and all dashboard warning lights remained off throughout our visit. There were no signs of fluid leaks or other issues during the inspection.

The engine bay is well-presented, indicating a history of careful maintenance and attention.

The automatic gearbox operates flawlessly, shifting smoothly through all gears without any hesitation, jerking, or delay. It kicks down seamlessly when required.

Suspension and Brakes

The car holds the road confidently, with no unusual noises or vibrations coming from the wheels.

The brakes perform as they should, with no wobbling or vibration, providing smooth and responsive stopping power.

The Drive

The SLK offers a lighter, more affordable alternative to the SL, with its supercharged engine providing plenty of power in a compact, well-engineered package.

The car’s handling is defined by its balance and grip, offering a reassuring and stable ride. While Bob didn't push the car hard through corners, the car showcased impressive straight-line acceleration. The engine runs very smoothly, with strong, consistent power delivery. The steering is precise, showing no signs of play, and the car feels stable on the road.

Over Bob’s two years of ownership, the car has been completely reliable, with no reported issues related to oil pressure, engine temperature, or other mechanical concerns.

Electrics and Other

The folding steel hardtop operates flawlessly, with the motors running smoothly and without strain. When closed, the roof seals tightly, ensuring a secure and weatherproof fit.

History and Paperwork

A low mileage example coming to market from ~2 year ownership, just 1 former keeper before that for ~24 years, recently serviced and ready for a new owner to enjoy.

This SLK was originally purchased new from Mercedes-Benz dealer Pinneys of Harpenden in September 1999, with the car collected personally from Bremen. It remained with its original owner for ~24 years, used regularly for the first 10 years and then as an occasional car. The car spent much of its life under protective covering in a garage, though it was still regularly MOT’d. Aside from advisories for tyres in 2009/2010, the MOT history is clean.

Bob acquired the car in the summer of 2023, intending to use it as a weekend vehicle, also keeping it stored indoors when not in use. The car has had a recent full service carried out by the RAC in December 2024. It also retains all previous MOT certificates.

It comes with its full owner wallet and booklets, 2 keys + its emergency key and has an MOT to July 2025. Please note, the current registration plate on the car will be retained by Bob and an age-related plate will be issued instead.

We’ve done all our usual seller checks including photo ID, V5 and also actioned a history check on the vehicle - this is a professional check operated by HPI that will highlight if the car has been previously stolen, recorded as being in an accident, or have any outstanding finance - note, this does not include a mileage history check.

We've summarised our own view on the car based on information gained from the seller in the listing above, however, as you can see, we go to great lengths to photograph and video the car in hi-resolution detail - this has been done for you to make your own assessment from the comfort of your sofa. So please sit back, have a cuppa and take your time to review everything on this listing in order to make your own assessment of the vehicle's condition. Viewings are also welcomed with all our listings, so please get in touch with us to arrange a suitable time - we just need to speak to you first and receive a valid photo ID before confirming.

If there's anything you're unsure about, no matter how small, then please first ask the owner in the comments area below before placing your bids, as bids can't be retracted and form a binding contract if you win the car - just like a traditional auction house.

Service History
Date Type Mileage
16-12-2024 Service 25,011
17-07-2024 MOT 24,635
15-07-2023 MOT 23,690
21-01-2021 MOT 23,678
29-06-2019 MOT 23,655
19-05-2018 MOT 22,068
02-06-2017 Service 21,398
02-06-2017 MOT 21,398
13-09-2014 MOT 21,389
14-09-2013 MOT 20,280
08-09-2012 MOT 20,070
27-08-2011 MOT 19,257
15-09-2010 MOT 19,083
12-09-2009 MOT 18,887
13-09-2008 MOT 17,783
18-08-2007 MOT 17,554
16-09-2006 MOT 17,102
13-09-2005 MOT 15,717
11-09-2004 MOT 14,236
09-09-2003 Mercedes B Service 12,400
06-09-2003 MOT 12,382
07-09-2002 MOT 10,397
07-09-2001 Mercedes A Service 8,017
Key Details
  • ModelSLK230 Kompressor (R170)
  • TransmissionAutomatic
  • Reg. Date07-09-1999
  • CC2,295
  • Mileage~25,022
  • ColourSilver
  • Interior ColourLight grey/grey
  • Interior TrimLeather
  • Chassis #WDB1704472F145882
  • Engine #11197322071806
  • Last Service16-12-2024
  • RestoredNo
  • Engine RebuildNo
  • MOT16-07-2025
  • MOT ExemptNo
  • Road Tax ExemptNo
  • HPi ClearYes - all clear
  • Former Keepers1
  • Tyre BrandMichelin Pilot Sport
  • Tyre Age2011
  • Security SysTracker
  • # of Keys2 + Emergency Key
  • LHD or RHDRHD
  • VisitedYes
  • Sale TypePrivate
  • Owned~1.5 Years
  • Key Feature1 former keeper and low miles
  • Auction ID2358


    Auction Bidding

    Live Bidding
    Current Bid £3,500
    £
    Countdown Timer
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    Auction Ends Thu 30th Jan at 7.30pm
    Bidding History
    Previous Bids  2
    £3,500 bid by Vollrath2118.01.25 @ 17:00:35
    £3,000 bid by justwing17.01.25 @ 17:57:13
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    1140
    Ask Owner
    Post a comment or ask the owner a question about the car.
    2 Comments
    axw01
    axw01
    9 days ago

    Hello, can I ask, has the rear subframe been checked (or even better – replaced). Thanks

    MORE COMMENTS MORE COMMENTS

    Insurance Quote


    Average annual insurance premium for a SLK230 like this is £162 via our trusted partner ClassicLine.
    GET AN INSURANCE QUOTEAnd get 10% off when you mention us.

    *Quote is based on a garaged vehicle in CV32 5QY (Leamington Spa), travelling 3,000 miles per year, 1 driver who is 45 years of age and is free on accidents and convictions – valid Winter 2025.

    Delivery Calculator


    Vehicle Location

    Hemel Hempstead

    Key Bidding Facts

    What is your reserve policy?

    A reserve is the minimum price that the seller will let the car go for. We work with sellers to set realistic reserves in line with market pricing – we don’t take on vehicles with unrealistic pricing. Reserve met / not met labeling may or may not be announced during the auction – this is just like a traditional auction house, i.e. bidders may only know when they’ve been successful at the end of the auction.

    If the reserve hasn’t been met at the end of the auction then we work with the highest bidder to try to work out a deal with the seller.

    Why shouldn’t I leave bidding to the last minute?

    Auto-Extending Bidding – we’ve developed auto-extending auctions that mimic traditional auction house bidding; it’s a key feature to make sure classic vehicles achieve their true worth. Bids placed in the last one minute automatically extend the auction by two further minutes. So there is no need to leave bidding to the last second.

    Security – we operate higher levels of security, so you may need to enter further authorisations against your stored card after you select ‘Place Bid’. All this takes time and may mean you miss the end of the auction by the time the authorisation passes. To guarantee your bid, we recommend at least five minutes are active on the auction when you place your bid.