Keep up to date
Keep up to date with all things Trade Classics, along with new cars.
Auction Live

1992 Mercedes-Benz 300 SL-24 (R129)

At a Glance

Drivers Example | Improvement Potential | Matching Hard-top

  • Mileage~84,525
  • TransmissionAutomatic
  • Engine3.0L
  • LocationStrathaven

AUCTION LIVE

Days
HRS
MIN
SEC
CURRENT BID£1,050
See Bidding

AUCTION LIVE

ENDS IN: 56 Days 12 Hr 51 Min51 Sec

CURRENT BID

£1,050

Introduction

Colin Bashford
Professional Consigner

The boxy shape of the R129 SL exudes 90s style, still a firm favourite for classic enthusiasts.

The Mercedes-Benz SL (Super-Leicht) was introduced back in 1954 with the 300 SL Gullwing, based on the W198 race car. The first roadster version followed in 1955: the 190 SL, a more affordable model with a 1.9L 4-cylinder engine and fabric roof, compared to the 3.0L straight-six found in the 300 SL. The fourth generation (R129) of the SL hit the market in 1989, retaining the design cues of previous generations—long bonnet, boxy shape, and a removable hard-top. It was available with a variety of engines, from a 2.8L V6 up to a 7.3L V12.

This specific car is a 300 SL-24, fitted with the 24-valve 3.0L straight-six. It comes to market after approximately a year and a half with our vendor, accompanied by its original order sheet, service book, and a current MOT valid until 19.10.2024, Daniel will have a fresh MOT carried out before the car is picked up.

This listing was written from information supplied by Colin after meeting Daniel the owner, and having visited and photographed the 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.

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

Having always loved the shape of the R129, Daniel jumped at the chance to own this one.

Approximately 19 months ago, Daniel decided to buy the car he had always wanted. He has covered only around 500 miles in it since, with about 200 miles of that being the journey home from collecting it.

Daniel has recently had a new addition to the family and doesn't have space at home to store the SL, so it remains at his parents' house, about a 40-minute drive away. As a result, he doesn't have many opportunities to drive the SL. He mentioned that it doesn’t make sense to keep the car at the moment, so he has decided to sell it through us. Daniel plans to have another one in the future when he has more space. He will be happy to answer any questions about the car in the comments section below.

Daniel
Vehicle Owner

Ask Questions

CONTACT OWNER

Exterior

The R129 is a throwback to 90s culture and style, with its boxy shape and split-rim wheels.

Wheels and Tyres

The AMG split-rim wheels appeared to be in decent shape. The faces of the wheels looked good with no noticeable damage, though the lips showed some wear and had a few kerb marks.

At the front, a set of Lanvigator tyres from 2020 were fitted, while at the rear, RX Quest tyres from 2019 were found. All tyres appeared to be in good condition with plenty of tread remaining.

Bodywork

The bodywork around the car appeared to be in decent condition. We didn’t notice any dents, just a few scrapes—one on the driver’s side of the front bumper and some scratches on the driver’s side rear wing. The front bumper could also use some adjustment, as it sits slightly low on the driver’s side. Additionally, we observed some bubbling in the paint on the front driver’s side wing.

We have highlighted our observations in more detail through our high-resolution images and videos. Please take the time to review all the media files for a thorough view of what’s on offer and to assess the condition of the car for yourselves.

Paint

The paintwork on the SL appeared quite tired, with several noticeable swirl marks visible in the sunlight. We also observed some areas of lacquer peel—most notably large sections on the passenger side A-pillar and a few smaller areas just in front of the boot lid. Additionally, there were some heavier scratches, including one at the front of the roof and a few on the driver’s side rear wing. The paint on the wing mirrors looked quite faded, with some areas worn through. The bonnet also showed a few marks.

The images are taken from various angles to show the car as you would see it in person. Please take the time to fully assess the high-resolution images and videos to make your own judgement about the condition of the paint.

Glass and Trim

The glass around the SL appeared to be in decent shape, with no chips or cracks noticed in the windscreen or any other glass.

The badging around the car was all in good condition, though we did observe that the aerial was loose from its mounting point.

We were unable to remove the roof during our visit, and so were unable to photograph the soft-top.

Interior

Plush leather seats with integrated seatbelts and wooden veneers give the SL a truly premium feel.

Seats and Carpets

The Beige (275A) leather seats appeared to be in okay shape, but with some typical signs of age noted, including creases and worn areas on the outside bolster of the driver's seat. We also observed a rip in the leather at the bottom of the driver's seat. Additionally, the tilting feature on the driver's seat did not seem to work. The passenger seat showed signs of lighter use, with some creases in the leather.

We didn’t notice any excessive wear in the carpets, but they could benefit from a deep clean. We did notice that the headlining was sagging slightly.

Dashboard

The dashboard was in good condition, with no cracks or other damage noted on the dashboard or wooden veneer in the centre console. The dials were clear and legible, and the odometer read approximately 84,522 miles at the time of our visit. Daniel told us the SRS light stays on, Daniel will have this issue fixed when the car sells.

Steering Wheel / Gear Stick

The original Mercedes steering wheel was in good condition, showing only slight signs of age. The gear selector also presented well, with only minor marks.

Mechanics

Up front, a 3.0L 24-valve straight-six engine, producing ~228BHP from factory gives the SL some real potency.

Engine and Gearbox

The straight-six engine started on the first attempt, with no issues noted. Out on the road with Daniel, the engine felt composed. Daniel mentioned that it isn’t the quickest car in the world but can accelerate to speed when needed.

The automatic gearbox engaged gears without issue, with very smooth changes. Watch the video to see and hear the car in action.

Suspension and Brakes

The SL provided a very comfortable ride, with bumps going unnoticed. We didn’t hear any unusual noises coming from the suspension during our short drive with Daniel.

The brakes felt great as well, bringing the SL to a stop smoothly with no pulling on the steering.

The Drive

During our short drive with Daniel, the car felt great. The engine performed well, and the gearbox engaged gears as expected with no unwanted noises. The suspension handled corners and bumps effectively, also with no unwanted noises. The brakes performed well, bringing the car to a stop without any issues.

To see the SL in action, please watch the 'On The Road' video above.

Electrics and Other

The SL was fitted with an aftermarket Pioneer head unit, which was working as expected. The electric windows also functioned correctly. While we didn’t test all the electrical components of the car, Daniel informed us that the SRS light stays on on the dashboard, he will have this issue fixed when the car sells, but everything was working to the best of his knowledge, as mentioned previously the drivers seat tilting function did not seem to work.

History and Paperwork

Coming to market after approximately 19 months with our vendor, accompanied by 15 service stamps in the book.

The 300 SL-24 comes with its original order sheet, service book with 15 stamps, and some MOT certificates. During Daniel's ownership, the car has covered only around 500 miles, with under 4,000 miles driven over the past approximately 11 years. In Daniel’s ownership, a new distributor cap, rotor arm, and spark plugs have been fitted. The car has a current MOT valid until 19.10.2024, Daniel will have a fresh MOT carried out before it is picked up by its new owner.

We’ve done all our usual seller checks including photo ID, V5 and also actioned a HPi check on the vehicle.

We've summarised our own view on the car based on information gained from the seller in the listing above, however, and 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 on 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 bid/s, 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
28.10.2023 96,000 Miles Service 84,362
20.10.2023 MOT 84,363
28.11.2022 90,000 Miles Service 83,975
07.01.2022 MOT 83,746
06.03.2020 MOT 83,560
26.09.2018 MOT 83,550
14.07.2017 MOT 83,472
10.06.2016 MOT 83,398
04.06.2015 MOT 83,195
20.03.2015 84,000 Miles Service 83,123
01.08.2014 MOT 82,334
23.09.2013 78,000 Miles Service 80,944
11.07.2013 MOT 80,746
25.05.2011 MOT 79,071
08.07.2008 MOT 79,050
02.06.2004 72,000 Miles Service 73,635
05.09.2002 66,000 Miles Service 65,928
13.09.1999 48,000 Miles Service 48,741
16.11.1998 42,000 Miles Service 41,195
26.08.1997 36,000 Miles Service 36,439
02.04.1997 30,000 Miles Service 30,880
25.07.1996 24,000 Miles Service 24,426
20.06.1995 18,000 Miles Service 18,016
25.05.1994 12,000 Miles Service 11,635
10.05.1993 8,000 Miles Service 7,820
12.02.1992 3,000 Miles Service 1,113
06.12.1991 Pre-Delivery Inspection
Key Details
  • Model300 SL-24 (R129)
  • TransmissionAutomatic
  • Reg. Date01.01.1992
  • CC2,960
  • Mileage~84,525
  • HistorySome
  • ColourRed
  • Interior ColourBeige (275A)
  • Interior TrimLeather
  • Chassis #WDB1290612F049441
  • Engine #10498122015081
  • MOTYes Valid Until 19.10.2024
  • HPi ClearYes - All Clear
  • Former Keepers6
  • Tyre BrandLanvigator & RX Quest
  • Tyre Age2019/2020
  • LHD or RHDRHD
  • VisitedYes
  • Sale TypePrivate
  • Owned~1 year, 7 months
  • Key FeatureDrivers example
  • Auction ID2139


    Auction Bidding

    Live Bidding
    Current Bid £1,050
    £
    Countdown Timer
    0 Days
    0 HRS
    0 MIN
    0 SEC
    Auction Ends Thu 26th Sep at 8.10pm
    Bidding History
    Previous Bids  1
    £1,050 bid by Gkcgary12.09.24 @ 13:01:59
    SEE MORE BIDS SEE MORE BIDS
    270
    Ask Owner
    Post a comment or ask the owner a question about the car.
    0 Comments
    MORE COMMENTS MORE COMMENTS

    Insurance Quote


    Average annual insurance premium for a 300SL-24 like this is £212 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 Summer 2024.

    Delivery Calculator


    Vehicle Location

    Strathaven

    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.