£5,376
1981 MERCEDES-BENZ 500 SEL AUTO
United Kingdom • 29 Jan 2026 • Lot 7
Vehicle Details
AI Listing Summary
This 1981 Mercedes-Benz 500 SEL is a one-owner car being sold from a deceased estate. It features an elegant Thistle Green exterior, Olive leather interior, and a comprehensive history file, making it an appealing classic for Mercedes enthusiasts.
Condition
8
The car is described as wonderfully original and carefully cherished, retaining a strong sense of originality throughout. The maintenance booklet shows a consistent service history, and while there was a speedometer change, the current mileage is confirmed. A new battery has been fitted, and it comes with six original keys. This suggests minimal cosmetic imperfections and very well-maintained condition.
/ 10
[Transmission]
Transmission:
[Chassis No]
Chassis No:
Odometer:
99,000 miles
AYA900X
Reg Number:
RHD/LHD:
RHD
In Brief:
Original example of a W126 500 SEL
Finished in Thistle Green over an Olive leather interior
Just 1 owner from new
To be sold as part of a deceased estate
Outstanding history file - worth viewing in person
Auctioneer’s Notes:
A wonderfully original and increasingly collectible example of Mercedes-Benz’s flagship luxury saloon, this 1981 500 SEL is offered from just one owner from new and is being sold as part of a deceased estate.
Finished in elegant Thistle Green over an Olive leather interior, it presents exactly as a carefully cherished W126 should, retaining a strong sense of originality throughout.
With a huge accompanying history file, this is very much a car for the Mercedes enthusiast.
Maintenance & Condition:
The car has been well looked after throughout its life, with the Maintenance Booklet showing 14 service stamps recorded between 1982 at 6,162 miles and 2012 at 83,541 miles.
A documented speedometer change at 24,000 miles confirms a current correct...
Points of note
£740
Lowest Price (Since 2020)
£10,309
Median Price (Since 2020)
£67,394
Highest Price (Since 2020)
World Record
If this vehicle sells at the mid-point of its estimate it will set a new world record for the [enter model]
Bottom 40%
The sale price places it in the bottom 40% of sold prices we've ever seen for the Mercedes-Benz (W126) 500 SEL
Lowest Price
If this vehicle sells at the mid-point of its estimate it will be the lowest price we've seen for the [enter model]
Average Price
The mid-point of the vehicle's estimate places it near the average price we see for the [enter model]
Rare Sale
This vehicle comes to market rarely. In auction records we've only seen [enter number] sold before
Icon
This vehicle comes is an icon of the game. Any collection would benefit from having one
Previous Sales
Gallery
MOT Information
Expired
Expired on Jan 13 2023
Latest MOT Mileage
73,224 miles
Registration Date
1981-10-21
MOT History
Passed
On Jan 14 2022 with 73,224 miles
Failed
On Jan 11 2022 with 73,222 miles
There were 2 defects noted.
Major:
- Nearside Rear Outer Suspension component mounting prescribed area excessively corroded significantly reducing structural strength SILL (5.3.6 (a) (i))
- Central Steering box has excessive free play detected at the steering wheel (steering box fitted) IDLER ARM BUSHES WORN (2.3 (a) (i))
Passed
On Dec 22 2020 with 72,520 miles
There was 1 defect noted.
Advisory:
- all tyres 19 years old
Failed
On Dec 17 2020 with 72,520 miles
There were 8 defects noted.
Major:
- Offside Headlamp not working on dipped beam (4.1.1 (a) (ii))
- Offside Headlamp not working on main beam (4.1.1 (a) (ii))
- Offside Headlamp aim not tested (4.1.2 (b))
- Offside Rear fog lamp not working (4.5.1 (a) (ii))
- Offside Stop lamp(s) not working (4.3.1 (a) (ii))
- Offside Front Exhaust has a major leak of exhaust gases (6.1.2 (a))
- Offside Rear Outer Suspension component mounting prescribed area excessively corroded significantly reducing structural strength sill (5.3.6 (a) (i))
Advisory:
- all tyres 19 years old
Passed
On Feb 18 2020 with 71,717 miles
Failed
On Dec 16 2019 with 71,697 miles
There were 11 defects noted.
Major:
- Parking brake lever ratchet mechanism worn to the extent that the brake may inadvertently release (1.1.6 (b) (ii))
- Nearside Headlamp not working on dipped beam (4.1.1 (a) (ii))
- Offside Headlamp not working on dipped beam (4.1.1 (a) (ii))
- Oil leaking excessively from engine (8.4.1 (a) (i))
- Nearside Front Suspension component mounting prescribed area excessively corroded significantly reducing structural strength chassis and jacking point (5.3.6 (a) (i))
- Offside Front Suspension component mounting prescribed area excessively corroded significantly reducing structural strength chassis (5.3.6 (a) (i))
- Nearside Rear Brake hose ferrule excessively corroded (1.1.12 (f) (i))
- Emissions not tested (8.2.2.2 (e))
- Offside Front Exhaust emissions likely to be affected by an exhaust leak (8.2.2.1 (b))
Minor:
- Nearside Registration plate lamp inoperative in the case of multiple lamps or light sources (4.7.1 (b) (i))
Advisory:
- Offside Front Service brake binding but not excessively (1.2.1 (f))
Passed
On Feb 20 2019 with 70,480 miles
Passed
On Jan 02 2018 with 67,917 miles
Failed
On Dec 13 2017 with 68,965 miles
There were 2 defects noted.
Fail:
- Outer Drag link end ball joint dust cover excessively damaged so that it no longer prevents the ingress of dirt all four outer track rod ends (2.2.C.1c)
- Nearside Front Suspension component mounting prescribed area is excessively corroded shock mounting (2.4.A.3)
Passed
On Apr 13 2017 with 85,547 miles
Failed
On Dec 14 2016 with 66,791 miles
There were 9 defects noted.
Fail:
- Exhaust emissions hydrocarbon content excessive (7.3.B.1b)
- Anti-lock braking system warning lamp indicates an ABS fault (3.4.1c)
- Nearside Front Lower Suspension component mounting prescribed area is excessively corroded floor pan by jacking point (2.4.A.3)
- Offside Rear Inner Suspension component mounting prescribed area is excessively corroded sill by rear mounting (2.4.A.3)
- Nearside Rear Suspension component mounting prescribed area is inadequately repaired (2.4.A.3)
- Nearside Front Suspension component mounting prescribed area is excessively corroded antiroll bar mounting (2.4.A.3)
- Nearside Outer Seat belt anchorage prescribed area is excessively corroded sill (5.2.6)
- Nearside Lower Seat belt anchorage prescribed area is excessively corroded floor pan/inner sill (5.2.6)
- Nearside Rear Mechanical brake component has restricted free movement (3.5.1k)
Passed
On Dec 03 2015 with 65,547 miles
There were 2 defects noted.
Advisory:
- n/s/r brake hoses ferrals corroded
- various amounts of corrosion to rear chassis and suspension components
Passed
On Dec 17 2014 with 63,395 miles
Passed
On Jul 08 2013 with 61,087 miles
Failed
On May 30 2013 with 61,086 miles
There were 16 defects noted.
Fail:
- Anti-lock braking system warning lamp indicates an ABS fault (3.4.1c)
- Nearside Headlamp not working on dipped beam (1.7.5a)
- Offside Outer Front Suspension component mounting prescribed area is excessively corroded (2.4.A.3)
- Nearside Outer Front Suspension component mounting prescribed area is excessively corroded (2.4.A.3)
- Offside Front Exhaust has a major leak of exhaust gases (7.1.2)
- Offside Front Exhaust system not adequately supported (7.1.1)
- Nearside Front Lower Front suspension ball joint dust cover excessively deteriorated so that it no longer prevents the ingress of dirt (2.4.G.2)
- Offside Front Lower Front suspension ball joint dust cover excessively deteriorated so that it no longer prevents the ingress of dirt (2.4.G.2)
- Nearside Front Brake hose ferrule excessively corroded (3.6.B.4e)
- Offside Front Brake hose ferrule excessively corroded (3.6.B.4e)
- Offside Rear Brake hose ferrule excessively corroded (3.6.B.4e)
- Offside Rear Brake pipe excessively corroded (3.6.B.2c)
- Nearside Rear Mechanical brake component has restricted free movement (3.5.1k)
- Nearside Rear An item not tested (Manual)
- Emissions not tested (7.0)
- Brakes imbalanced across an axle (3.7.B.5b)
Passed
On Mar 05 2012 with 58,347 miles
Failed
On Feb 10 2012 with 88,347 miles
There were 2 defects noted.
Fail:
- Nearside Suspension component mounting prescribed area is excessively corroded (2.4.A.3)
- Offside Rear Suspension component mounting prescribed area is excessively corroded (2.4.A.3)
Passed
On Jan 13 2011 with 56,731 miles
There was 1 defect noted.
User Entered:
- All tyres perished on sidewalls
Failed
On Jan 12 2011 with 56,731 miles
There were 5 defects noted.
Fail:
- Offside Rear Brake pipe excessively corroded (3.6.B.2c)
- Nearside Rear Brake pipe excessively corroded (3.6.B.2c)
- Nearside Front Windscreen wiper does not clear the windscreen effectively (8.2.2)
- Offside Front Windscreen wiper does not clear the windscreen effectively (8.2.2)
User Entered:
- All tyres perished on sidewalls
Passed
On Dec 15 2009 with 55,327 miles
There were 3 defects noted.
User Entered:
- Suspension joint nearside lower dust cover split/missing
- Suspension joint offside lower dust cover split/missing
- All four tyres outer sidewalls have "age" cracks
Failed
On Dec 07 2009 with 55,327 miles
There were 6 defects noted.
Fail:
- Nearside Front Seat belt retracting mechanism defective (5.2.5b)
- Nearside Exhaust has a major leak of exhaust gases (7.1.2)
- Centre Rear Exhaust has a major leak of exhaust gases (7.1.2)
User Entered:
- Suspension joint nearside lower dust cover split/missing
- Suspension joint offside lower dust cover split/missing
- All four tyres outer sidewalls have "age" cracks
MOT Mileage Trend
