1994 Mercedes-Benz SL 280 (R129) |

Sold

1994 Mercedes-Benz SL 280 (R129)

Sold Price

£5,401

Mileage~106,942 on clock
TransmissionAutomatic
Engine2.8-litre
LocationYeovil, Somerset

SOLD

1994 Mercedes-Benz SL 280 (R129)

I WANT ONE

Introduction

Jacob Boodrie

Professional Consigner

A desirable combination of standout colour, powerful engine, service history and long-term ownership makes this R129 a highly compelling example.

Produced between 1989 and 2001, the R129-generation SL ushered in a new era for Mercedes-Benz roadsters, blending elegant styling with advanced engineering. Its two-seat layout was complemented by innovative features such as an electro-hydraulic soft-top, reinforcing the model’s reputation for combining luxury with cutting-edge technology.

The SL 280 also set new standards for safety, featuring the pioneering automatic roll-over protection system – affectionately known as the “Wunderbar” – which could deploy within milliseconds in the event of an accident. Even today, the R129 remains one of the most reassuring and well-engineered sports cars of its era.

Offered for sale after ~13 years of ownership, this example stands out thanks to its 'Beryl Blue' paintwork paired with a contrasting ‘Mushroom’ leather interior. It’s a striking and timeless colour combination that perfectly complements the R129’s classic design.

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

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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

This SL 280 has spent many years with the same owner, carefully enjoyed and kept for fair-weather drives.

David’s partner, Mickie, purchased the car in 2013, having previously owned and enjoyed several convertibles over the years. This example caught her eye when they were looking to upgrade their Peugeot. Seeking something they could both enjoy on weekend drives and care for at home, this Mercedes SL 280 proved to be the perfect balance of usability and character.

In more recent years, the car has seen lighter use and has been stored undercover in their garage. The car will also be sold with a waterproof outdoor cover. After careful consideration, they have decided the time is right to pass it on to another like-minded enthusiast — someone who will continue to drive, enjoy and appreciate it as intended.

David notes that the Mercedes is ready to be driven and enjoyed immediately, while still offering scope for cosmetic improvement, he will be happy to answer any questions in the comments section below.

David

Vehicle Owner

David saved £0,900* when they
sold their Mercedes with us.

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EXTERIOR VIDEO

Exterior

Finished in elegant 'Beryl Blue Metallic', a colour that highlights the clean, purposeful lines of the R129 body.

Wheels and Tyres

The classic R129 16” original alloy wheels are present on this example, finished in silver. The wheels appear to be in good condition, with some minor signs of kerbing and general wear around the edges.

The wheels are fitted with Dunlop BluResponse tyres, which also appear to be in good visual condition, dated 2020/21, with a good amount of tread remaining and no visible cracking on the outside walls, however, we noticed some minor signs of age on the sidewall of the rear offside tyre.

Please take time to review the photos and videos for a detailed view of the exterior, wheels, and tyres so you can make your own assessment of their condition. Tyres are a key safety item, and you should consider replacing any that are cracked, perished, unevenly worn, or over 10 years old.

Bodywork

The bodywork appears to be in good overall condition, with panel gaps aligning well visually around the car.

There are, however, some minor age-related marks including light scuffs and blemishes. Notable areas include marks on the offside wing mirror and door edge, a small dent on the offside rear wing and boot, a small area of cracking on the offside bumper, and some minor bubbling on the nearside front arch.

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

Paint

Finished in ‘Beryl Blue’, the paintwork presents with generally even colour and coverage across all panels. Looking closer, we noted a handful of light scratches, touch-ups, and some light fading to the rear bumper.

There are also some swirl marks visible, consistent with the car’s age — nothing that a professional detail couldn’t significantly improve.

Once again, we've captured high-resolution images and videos of the car for you to assess the condition of the bodywork for yourselves.

Glass and Trim

The glass is in good condition for the car’s age. During our visit we didn’t notice any obvious cracks or discolouration.

The window seals appear good and consistent with the overall condition of the car.

The door handles and window surrounds also present well.

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INTERIOR VIDEO

Interior

The cabin showcases classic 1990s Mercedes-Benz design, blending understated luxury with long-distance comfort.

Seats and Carpets

The Mushroom leather seats have retained their shape well over the years, with some light creasing and marks appearing with age.

The door cards and carpets present in a similar manner, showing consistent condition throughout the interior.

For a detailed view of the cabin, please take a look at the extensive media.

Dashboard

The dashboard in this SL 280 shows no major damage or scuffs, and no warning lights were displayed during our visit.

The odometer displayed ~106,942 miles at the time of consignment.

Steering Wheel / Gear Stick

The standard Mercedes leather steering wheel, showed well with only some signs of age showing.

The gear selector also looked in good shape too, both consistent with the age of the car.

For a closer look, check out the image gallery to see the detail.

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'ON THE ROAD' VIDEO

Mechanics

Power comes from the respected M104 2.8-litre straight-six, known for its refinement and effortless delivery.

Engine and Gearbox

The 2.8-litre engine, producing approximately 190 BHP, is paired with an automatic gearbox.

On the day of our visit, we started the car from cold, and it performed well on the road - the engine pulled nicely, idled smoothly, and ran well.

David reports that the car starts from cold with no issues and drives well with its smooth automatic gearbox sending the power to the rear wheels. Take a look at the mechanical video to see the car starting from cold, driving around, and for a closer look underneath the SL280 and its engine bay.

Suspension and Brakes

The front suspension in this SL 280 has independent damper struts whereas the rear suspension has independent 5-arm multilink.

The suspension appears to be in good condition, providing a smooth journey on the sweeping coastal roads Yeovil offers.

During our short drive in the car with David, it felt just as you'd expect for a sports car from this era, coming to a stop without a fuss too.

The Drive

The SL 280 consistently delivers a refined driving experience, combining the effortless smoothness of its ride with the commanding power of a 2.8-litre inline-six, making it an ideal companion for any journey.

Electrics and Other

We didn’t test all the electrics during our visit, but David reports that everything is functional and operational, aligning with the overall condition of the car.

The car has an aftermarket Alpine radio unit fitted.

The soft-top hood appeared to be in good condition but would benefit from a deep clean.

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History and Paperwork

With its distinctive colour, consistent upkeep, and long-term ownership, this R129 stands out as a particularly attractive example.

This Mercedes retains a pleasing sense of originality, complete with its 2.8-litre inline-six engine, factory R129 wheels, and attractive colourway. The sale also includes the original spare toolkit, Alpine radio, and car cover.

Take a look at this history and paperwork media to see the previous MOT reports, servicing, and parts this Mercedes has received over its life.

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, 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
06.03.2026	MOT	106,931
06.03.2026	Service	106,931
28.03.2025	MOT	106,388
28.03.2025	Service	106,388
28.03.2024	MOT	105,912
28.03.2024	Service	105,912
27.03.2023	MOT	105,140
27.03.2023	Service	105,140
09.03.2022	MOT	104,172
09.03.2022	Service	104,172
08.03.2021	MOT	102,710
08.03.2021	Service	102,710
19.03.2020	MOT	101,403
02.04.2019	MOT	99,774
12.03.2018	MOT	96,485
12.03.2018	Service	96,485
06.03.2017	MOT	91,433
15.03.2016	MOT	87,141
16.03.2015	MOT	82,302
17.03.2014	MOT	77,727
17.03.2014	Service	77,726
21.03.2013	MOT	74,054
03.08.2011	Service	74,005
04.08.2010	MOT	74,011
21.10.2009	MOT	73,760
28.10.2008	MOT	72,227
10.10.2007	Service	69,027
09.10.2007	MOT	69,027
29.09.2006	MOT	65,606
09.06.2005	Service (MD)	61,624
28.08.2003	Service (MD)	54,509
11.04.2002	Service (MD)	45,603
20.07.2000	Service (MD)	36,570
31.03.1999	Service (MD)	27,648
27.05.1998	Service (MD)	17,613
23.05.1997	Service (MD)	9,533
16.06.1994	Service	1,260

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Key Details

Year1994
ModelSL 280 (R129)
TransmissionAutomatic
Reg. Date01.05.1994
CC2799
Mileage~106,942 on clock
HistoryPresent
ColourBlue
Interior ColourCream
Interior TrimLeather
Chassis #WDB1290582F097866
Engine #10494322001715
Last Service06.03.2026
MOTYes. Exp - 01.04.2027
MOT ExemptNo
Road Tax ExemptNo
HPi ClearYes
Former Keepers4
Tyre TreadGood
Tyre BrandDunlop
Tyre Age2020/2021
Security SysYes
Master KeyYes
LHD or RHDRHD
VisitedYes
Sale TypePrivate
Owned~12 years, 10 months
Key FeatureColour
Vehicle RegistrationL363 APH
Driver’s SideRight
Fuel TypePetrol
Body TypeConvertible
Auction ID3474

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Vehicle Sold

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Ask Questions

Seller : Gardener Sale Date 26.03.2026

Post a comment or ask the owner a question about the car.

5 Comments

ColinB

Admin

1 month ago

*** RESERVE LOWERED ***

David has lowered the reserve so the highest bidder is more likely to win the R129 tonight, good luck!

spark_s

1 month ago

Hi lovely looking car I wonder if you could answer has it been in any accidents and mechanically or electrically is everything in order or is there anything which requires attention thank you

Colourquick

1 month ago

Hi,
Do you know if the car has a European type Approval number, or failing that, a Certificate of Conformity? I live in Spain and if I win the auction, I would like to register it here. It is more difficult to do it without either of the above.
Regards,
Derek.

HRoy

1 month ago

Hello, does the car come with the hardtop?

Gardener

Seller

HRoy

1 month ago

Yes, it does have a hardtop, which can be seen in the exterior video

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Vehicle Location

Yeovil, Somerset

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