SPECIALIST CARS - ENTHUSIAST BUYERS

REGISTER TO BID
REGISTER TO BID
Account Login

Please login to bid on an auction or manage your account.

Login Details
SIGN UP
Keep up to date
Keep up to date with all things Trade Classics, along with new cars.
Curated Auction

1976 Mercedes-Benz 450 SE (W116)

At a Glance

~40 Year Family Ownership | Impressive Interior | ~£2,600 Recent Spent | Fresh MOT

  • Mileage~93,209
  • TransmissionAutomatic
  • Engine4.5L
  • LocationWeybridge

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£5,277
See Bidding
Register TO BID

AUCTION LIVE

ENDS IN: 56 Days 12 Hr 51 Min 51 Sec

CURRENT BID

£5,277

See Bidding
Video #2

Introduction

Darren Rungasamy
Photographer and Editor

The Mercedes' grace, poise and power have never faded; its talent reflects its status as the best saloon car of its era.

The S-Class has long been held in high esteem as the halo model of Mercedes Benz's prestige flagship saloon. A legacy that stands over ~70 years, the W116 models were the first to be officially named the S-Class. When released in 1972, the S-Class featured design cues, engines and mechanical features that were to influence the whole Mercedes range throughout the 1970s, incorporating advanced safety, comfort and ergonomic features that helped the S-Class win the prestigious 1974 European Car of the Year award. Offered with 5 different engines, towards the top of the pecking order was the 450 SE with the fuel-injected 4.5 litre V8 M117 engine. Furnished with a plush velour interior, the 450 SE also became noted for its exceptional road holding. The fact that the 450 SE impressed reviews with its performance, braking, handling and build quality often placed the car as the world's best saloon car of its era.

This well-kept example is finished in "Astral Silver Metallic" with a blue cloth interior. It has been in the family for over ~40 years and has recently seen a check over and work by a Mercedes main dealer with around ~£2,600 spent recently. It has an MOT to February 2026 and comes with two keys.

This listing was written from information supplied by Darren after meeting Saeed 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.

Video #2

Meet the owner

A wonderfully smooth and reassuring drive.

Saeed has not driven the car much but is pleasantly surprised by how smooth and refined it is. The Mercedes was cherished and well maintained in the hands of his father-in-law and its mechanical durability and positive appearance is a testament to his care of duty.

It is one of a number of cars that his late father-in-law owned, we have already sold another classic Mercedes-Benz saloon for the family. The car is being sold, as the family wish to free up the space. Saeed will be happy to answer any questions about the car in the comments section below.

Saeed
Vehicle Owner

Ask Questions

CONTACT OWNER
EXTERIOR VIDEO
Video #2

Exterior

Understated and regal, the 450 SE's styling carries an air of elegance.

Wheels and Tyres

The wheels are in good shape, they have minor marks in places but display well, the classic and original items.

The Michelin XWX tyres are over 10 years old, they have even tread but the side walls show signs of age.

image

Bodywork

The exterior presents well in general, but with observations of corrosion. These are notable on both front scuttle panels under the headlamps, lower nearside front wing and rear valance panel near the nearside rear lamp. There are minor under-paint bubbles emerging on the offside rear arch and around the aerial mount.

The panel work is flush with the body, with no significant dents and the shut lines are consistent. All doors open and close with ease. The door wells and sunroof well appear to be in good order. The structure of the car is positive. The engine bay, floor pan, front wheel wells and boot floor look solid. The offside front chassis rail shows signs of age, and we spotted corrosion on both of the lower rear wheel wells. These are flagged up as advisories on the current MOT.

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.

image

Paint

The "Astral Silver Metallic" paint has decent consistency and a positive lustre. There are a handful of minor stone chip marks on the bonnet. On the top of both rear wings there are paint cracks and peeling on the top of the offside front wing - suggesting a historic repaint at some point. There are also black paint spots on the nearside C-pillar, minor paint touch-ups and marks elsewhere, but overall the car presents well considering its age.

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.

image

Glass and Trim

The glass and lighting are all in good shape, although some of the passenger door glass and seals show signs of age.

The chrome trim appears to be complete. Some of the chrome/rubber fittings reveal age-related marks but is free of damage. The bumpers are well-mounted with mild pitting. The off-side rear corner bumper trim shows corrosion.

image
VIEW ALL
INTERIOR VIDEO
Video #2

Interior

The cabin is very original and has been well preserved.

Seats and Carpets

The blue velour seats are in good condition, perhaps only needing a deep clean to elevate them. The carpet and mats are complete and bone dry and visually above the expectations of a car of this age, although the rear parcel shelf shows some signs of exposure to the sun.

The car comes with a complete set of aftermarket rubber mats. The boot has been used with consideration, with no signs of heavy use.

image

Dashboard

The dashboard is in excellent condition, with no issues with the presentation of the facia, veneer, controls or dials. The centre console would benefit from a clean-up.

All of the dashboard functions are believed to work, although the indicators were not functional on the day - Saeed has a new part on order form Mercedes. The door cards and headlining are in excellent condition as pictured.

image

Steering Wheel / Gear Stick

The steering wheel is typical for a classic Mercedes of this era, manoeuvring the car with ease. It shows signs of age in terms of faded colour, but along with the automatic gear selector, a fitting positive presentation of the interior.

image
VIEW ALL
'ON THE ROAD' VIDEO
Video #2

Mechanics

An advanced car for its time, the road-holding and comfort is still remarkable today.

Engine and Gearbox

The cold start process was trouble-free, the car firing up immediately with no unwanted noises or hesitation from the engine. The car settled down into a smooth idle and free of excessive exhaust smoke. We left the car running for 10 minutes with no unwanted feedback or engine undulations.

The engine presentation would benefit from a cosmetic spruce-up, but the car has recently been to Brooklands Mercedes for a new fuel pump and all 8 injectors. The ancillaries and hoses all look good. The automatic gearbox operates smoothly, engaging gears with no unwanted noises or slippage.

image

Suspension and Brakes

The suspension components show signs of age but appear to operate with no issues during our short, low-speed test drive. The ride is smooth and even, absorbing the road with no knocks.

The brakes operate with no issues, some of the brake lines may need some cosmetic checks but the car slows down and stops without any faults on the day. A MOT advisory suggests a mild offside rear bind.

image

The Drive

Noted for its outstanding handling, braking and road-holding, the S Class set the industry standard for luxury cars. The 4.5-litre engine pulls well, with no hesitancy. As the engine warmed up, we noted how refined it sounded.

As the engine settled into a clean smooth idle, the three-speed gearbox was notably smooth in its operation. We were not able to fully appreciate the S-Class' handling, but a casual drive around the estate highlighted how smooth and compliant the car was. There were no unwanted noises heard from the wheels, or steering at lower speeds.

image

Electrics and Other

The electric sunroof and windows all worked as they should. It's complete with its warning triangle and first aid kit.

Saeed told us all the electrics work to his knowledge apart from the indicators mentioned earlier, he has the new part on order form Mercedes.

image
VIEW ALL
Video #2

History and Paperwork

Coming to market from ~40 year family ownership, the 450 SE has seen a recent recommission and comes with a long MOT for peace of mind.

The car was bought by Saeed's father-in-law in 1984 and used reguarly until 2017. The registration documents were transferred to the family in 2019, where it has been kept in dry storage ever since. It comes with a file of invoices from the early 2000s to 2011 including service and sundry items.

£1,000 worth of work was carried out by Mercedes Benz Brooklands to recommission the car early in 2025, which includes a new fuel pump and all 8 injectors.

There are MOT certificates going back to 1984, which show that the car has only covered ~15,000 in the last ~30 years. Saeed's father-in-law also retained the old V5's, which documents the ownership to its original owner.

It comes with an MOT to February 2026, has two keys and will be legible for free Road Tax and MOT at the end of 2026. Please note the cars ageless registration plate is not part of the sale and it has been already issued with an age-related number plate.

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
10-02-2025 MOT 93,200
23-05-2017 MOT 93,108
16-05-2016 MOT 92,894
14-05-2015 MOT 92,794
08-05-2014 MOT 92,473
01-05-2013 MOT 92,325
19-04-2012 MOT 92,216
01-11-2010 MOT 91,611
30-10-2009 MOT 91,041
16-06-2008 MOT 89,667
25-05-2007 MOT 89,009
17-05-2006 MOT 87,953
17-05-2005 MOT 86,895
11-01-2005 Mercedes Service 86,170
04-06-2004 MOT 85,452
06-05-2003 MOT 84,354
16-07-2002 Mercedes Service 83,332
13-04-2002 MOT 82,861
11-03-2002 Mercedes Service 82,594
31-03-2001 MOT 81,845
18-03-2000 MOT 81,013
27-03-1999 MOT 79,200
14-03-1998 MOT 78,676
22-03-1997 MOT 78,285
22-03-1996 MOT 77,812
18-03-1995 MOT 77,606
19-03-1994 MOT 77,419
23-03-1993 MOT 77,208
17-01-1992 MOT 76,836
23-01-1991 MOT 76,739
22-11-1989 MOT 75,782
25-04-1988 MOT 73,719
4-10-1986 MOT 71,606
15-08-1985 MOT 68,668
21-03-1984 MOT 63,871
VIEW ALL
Key Details
  • Model 450 SE (W116)
  • Transmission 3-speed Automatic
  • Reg. Date 01-12-1976
  • CC 4,520
  • Mileage ~93,209
  • History MOTs to 1984
  • Colour Astral Silver Metallic
  • Interior Colour Blue
  • Interior Trim Velour
  • Chassis # 11603222059193
  • Engine # 11798622014518
  • MOT 09-02-2026
  • MOT Exempt December 2026
  • Road Tax Exempt December 2026
  • HPi Clear Yes - all clear
  • Former Keepers 5
  • Tyre Brand Michelin XWX
  • Tyre Age 2006
  • # of Keys 2
  • LHD or RHD RHD
  • Visited Yes
  • Sale Type Private
  • Owned 6 years (Family since 1984)
  • Key Feature Excellent interior and family owned since 1984
  • Vehicle Registration SOH 253R
  • Fuel Type Petrol
  • Body Type 4-door Saloon
  • Auction ID 2849
VIEW ALL
VIEW ALL
Video #2

All Images

Exterior

Interior

Mechanics

History and Paperwork

All Videos



Vehicle Location

Weybridge

Request A Delivery Calculation



    Auction Bidding

    Live Bidding
    Current Bid £5,277
    £
    REGISTER TO BID
    Countdown Timer
    0 Days
    0 HRS
    0 MIN
    0 SEC
    Auction Ends Thu 19th Jun at 7.50pm
    Bidding History
    Previous Bids  2
    £5,277 bid by MRN1K06.06.25 @ 19:50:06
    £5,000 bid by Gibbo301005.06.25 @ 21:03:24
    SEE MORE BIDS SEE MORE BIDS
    266
    Ask Owner
    Post a comment or ask the owner a question about the car.
    Subscribe
    Notify of
    0 Comments
    MORE COMMENTS MORE COMMENTS

    Market View

    With the top of the line SEL variants sometimes achieving in excess of £20,000, the SE gives you all of that classic appeal at arguably a much more affordable price point.

    We’re sure you have a good idea of the value of this vehicle by studying our thorough listing, however, you may be interested to see a selection of recent sales of the same and / or similar models.

    1979 Mercedes-Benz 450 SE

    Auction House Mathewsons

    Sale Date 14 Dec 23

    Sold Price £13,500

    SEE AUCTION

    1979 Mercedes-Benz 450 SEL

    Auction House Car and Classic Auctions

    Sale Date 27 Apr 23

    Sold Price £28,000

    SEE AUCTION

    Insurance Quote


    Average annual insurance premium for a 450 SE like this is £TBC 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 2025.

    Delivery Calculator


    Vehicle Location

    Weybridge

    Key Bidding Facts

    What is your reserve policy?

    A reserve is the minimum price a seller is willing to accept for their vehicle. We work closely with sellers to set realistic reserves that reflect current market values — we don’t take on vehicles with inflated or unrealistic expectations.

    If the reserve isn’t met when the auction ends, we’ll work with the highest bidder to try and agree a deal with the seller.

    Whether the reserve has been met may / may not be disclosed during the auction — just like a traditional auction house. Bidders usually find out if they’ve won only when the auction ends.

    As a guide:
    – If you’re able to place a second bid, the reserve hasn’t been met.
    – If you attempt to outbid yourself and the system blocks it, then the reserve has been met.

    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.

    Register Account

    Please create an account to bid on our auctions and stay up-to-date by receiving our weekly auction update.

    Complete Form