WE TAKE THE HASSLE
OUT OF SELLING
YOUR CLASSIC OR
PERFORMANCE
MERCEDES

Lots of happy customers – 5* Rated.
GET A VALUATION

NO HASSLE
CLASSIC &
PERFORMANCE
MERCEDES AUCTION
SERVICE



Weekly Online Auctions

 

Our no hassle service takes the stress out of selling your classic or performance Mercedes car whilst getting you more money back.

Fully Managed Service

More Money Back

No Tyre Kickers

Quickest Time to Sell

Widest Marketing Reach

No Seller Fees

We’re enthusiasts ourselves and passionate about connecting buyers and sellers on a foundation of trust & transparency.

 



“Traditional auction houses have charged too much, for too little, for too long.”

Adam Purrier – Trade Classics Founder


MERCEDES VALUATION

Fill out the form to receive your free valuation.


 

The Best Service

 

Managed Sales Service

The car stays with you – we professionally photograph the Mercedes at your home with 200+ images.

We even speak to buyers on your behalf, so you don’t have to.

More Money Back

We achieve market price by publishing the most thorough listings – confident buyers bid higher.

Importantly you get *22% more money back when compared to other auctions.

No Tyre Kickers

We produce the most detailed & transparent listings in the industry.

This gives buyers confidence in the sale meaning 80% of cars we sell don’t have viewings.

 

 

 
The most trusted and transparent auction service in the UK.

We’re very proud to be the highest rated classic car auction service in the UK see reviews.
 


 

Quickest Time to Sell

We run weekly auctions & most sales are completed within two weeks.

You don’t have to wait for quarterly sales from traditional auction houses.

Widest Marketing Reach

We market to buyers in the UK & mainland EU to get the very best price.

We advertise your car around the web e.g. eBay & Pistonheads.

No Seller Fees

As enthusiasts ourselves, we don’t think sellers should be charged.

Instead, we only charge the buyer an industry low 5% + VAT buyer’s premium.


5 Star Reviews

 


Adrian Davies – Beetle Seller

“This is the ultimate way to buy or sell a vehicle.”

Trade Classics has got the whole process down to perfection. Simple and hassle free from beginning to end, that is from initial contact, video and photography, listing online, selling, prompt payment and collection of vehicle.

Click here to see this & all our 5 STAR reviews on Google.

 

 

All eras of Mercedes from true classics to modern day.

That’s right, we’ll sell any Mercedes e.g. SL R107 | SL R129 | Pagoda | G-Wagon | AMGs | 190SL | E Class and more.

 

FAQs

 

Do you really take care of everything at no cost to me?

We don't charge our sellers any sales commissions or listing fees. 

We don't want any barriers to getting good quality cars from genuine sellers and the 5% + VAT we earn in buyer's commission is how we make our money.

You really have noting to lose as we manage everything for you including:
- All professional photography of your vehicle with over 200+ images and ~45mins of video*
- The car stays with you so there's no transportation to organise, or risk of your car getting damaged.
- We produce the most detailed & transparent listings in the industry.
- We market to buyers in the UK & mainland EU to get the very best price.
- We even speak to buyers on your behalf so you don’t have to.

-------------

* we charge this at cost price and will work it out based on your location.  Typically if you live within an hour of one of our photographers then this will be about £185 + VAT.  Professional photography is very important to showcase your car to the best of its potential resulting in higher returns to you.

Does the car stay with me or do you collect it?

The car always stays with you - we come out and take all the professional photos of your vehicle with over 200+ images and 1hr of video.

We produce the most detailed & transparent listings in the industry - no one goes to the lengths we do.  This gives buyers confidence in the sale meaning 80% of cars we sell don’t have viewings.  So the cars don't need to be in one central location.

Can you really get me more money back than advertising privately or another auction?

Yes that's right - our service is all about trust and transparency backed up with the most thorough listings in the industry. This means buyer's trust our service and value the accurate / transparent way we photograph and describe the vehicles we sell. Ultimately, confident buyers bid higher.

Also, remember we just charge a 5% + VAT buyer's premium which is the lowest in the industry too.  So we take just 5% + VAT total share of the cost of the vehicle to the buyer. Other auctions services take up to 30% of the value of the vehicle - this means a lot less money back to you.

We've reviewed the top 10 classic car auctions in the UK and our service will return you up to 22% more money when compared to using those traditional auction houses. And it's a good deal for the buyer too as they don't pay any more money than they would by using a traditional auction - isn't that amazing.

Will you accept my car into your weekly auction?

Not necessarily - the first step is for you to submit your car for valuation via the form on this page. 

We will then review the car and provide you with an accurate market valuation - we may need to speak to you to discuss the condition and history of the vehicle. 

During the valuation process we may then offer to handle the sale of the vehicle on your behalf - we will talk you though this process to make sure it's the right decision for both of us.

Ultimately we are interested in consigning good quality and fresh-to-market vehicles from genuine sellers, that will appeal to our buyers and bidders at auction.

What does 'reserve' mean?

A reserve is the minimum price that you will let the car go for.  This is a secret price agreed between us, i.e. we never disclose it publicly and we ask you to do the same.  Sometimes bidders may ask you for the reserve price in the comments section on the listing, and we ask you to politely reply saying no, as disclosing the reserve price undermines the auction process.

 

We'll work with you to set a realistic reserve in line with market pricing – we don’t take on vehicles with unrealistic pricing.

 

If the reserve price hasn’t been met at the end of the auction, i.e. the highest bid received is below your reserve price, then the car is not sold.

 

It is important for you to say the minimum you will sell the car for, as if the reserve is set too high and bidding doesn't reach the reserve, then the car is not sold and no buyers are contracted to the sale.  One of the biggest benefits of our auction service is that if the reserve price has been met, i.e. a bidder has bid over the reserve price, then at the end of the auction they are legally contracted to complete the sale of the car.

How do you value my vehicle and set the reserve price?

We take this process very seriously, to start off with we begin by understanding your vehicle, for example factory options, condition and mileage. Once we have this information we analyse the market to gauge your vehicle against recent sales and talk to our team of professionals to estimate any remedial work required.

We will put together a valuation and may personally talk you through it. At this point we will mutually agree a reserve price for your vehicle.

Can your auction service really achieve the best price for my classic vehicle?

Absolutely, we are an established service since 2011 within the classic vehicle industry with 1,000's of visitors a month looking to buy their next classic.

Our service is all about trust and transparency backed up with the most thorough listings in the industry. This means buyer's trust our service and value the accurate / transparent way we photograph and describe the vehicles we sell. Ultimately, confident buyers bid higher.

However, the genius comes with how we market your car for sale.  We list details of your vehicle on all the top classified sites in the UK and mainland EU, linking back to the auction listing.  Serious buyers / collectors have alerts on these sites, so they will visit the auction listing and view your vehicle.

Importantly, we've developed auto-extending bidding that mimics traditional auction house bidding; it’s a key feature to make sure vehicles achieve their true worth.  Bids placed in the last one minute automatically extend the auction by a one further minute.

Why don't you charge a listing fee or seller commission?

It's traditional for auction houses to charge seller and buyer fees.  Our overheads are much lower and this means we can offer our premium service with just the 5%+ VAT Trade Classics Fee (Buyer Premium).

Can I get a refund on the photography fee if I change my mind?

Yes - but only if you notify us the day before the scheduled visit.

Before the day of the visit: yes, we will refund the photography fee in full, as no costs have been incurred to us yet.  

On the day of the visit: no, the fee is not refundable -  this is because our photographers are freelancers and they would have planned their working week and would lose out on earnings.  We still pay them for the service and as such this means the fee is non-refundable to you.

After the visit: no; if you decide to not go ahead with the process at any point after our photographer has visited then the fee is also non-refundable - this is because we had to pay the photographer for their services and the price you pay us is the actual charge for photography, i.e. we make no money from this service.

I've already advertised my car on a classified site - will you still accept it into your auctions?

Probably not - we only consign fresh to market cars that have not been widely advertised anywhere else.  This is because the price has already been set and makes achieving a higher price more difficult.

Also buyers may be put off seeing the car not sell by one process and then appear for sale within another.

It's likely we'll say no if you've advertised the car on eBay or a top classified site, however, if you've just listed locally or on a site like Gumtree or Facebook Marketplace then we may accept the car.

How to you make sure buyers are genuine?

The security and safety of our community is our top priority.

Before a person is allowed to bid they must submit a credit or debit card for us to validate.

During the bidding process the buyer's stored credit or debit card is used to authorise the 5%+ VAT Trade Classics Fee (Buyer Commission).  If this authorisation fails then the bid will not be made.  At the end of the auction this fee is charged to the stored card automatically.

We use a trusted payment provider called Stripe (to read more on their security click here) to manage the authorisations and charges we request on our bidder's stored cards.

Do you have anything buried in your T&Cs that I should know?

Our terms and conditions are very straightforward and what you'd expect for a typical auction company.

For example, the sale is between the buyer (winner at auction) and you (the seller).  It's on a 'Sold as Seen' basis with no warranties.  Essentially like a private sale - we are in the middle making sure it all goes through smoothly and take a 5% + VAT fee from the buyer.

Honesty and transparency are important to us so we don't have anything unusual in our terms and conditions - we do ask you to give us exclusivity during the sale period, i.e. you don't advertise it anywhere else.  This is to protect us as it takes a lot of time and money in advertising to complete a sale.  It also makes sure we get the most money back for you - duplicate sales can confuse buyers.

Can I accept a direct offer for my vehicle either during or after the auction closes?

Absolutely not - we have invested a lot of time and resources into the sale to bring the car to market and consider this a serious breach of our Terms and Conditions in Section 8.0.

During Auction Period (by this we refer to the time from when a listing becomes live until the auction subsequently closes - generally a 7 day period) - under no circumstances should private sales be requested or offered by any party during the auction period.  We take reasonable steps to monitor this process including but not limited to the communications sent between buyers and sellers via our auction service.

Post Auction Close (by this we refer to the period after the item sale is finalised) - under no circumstances should private sales be requested by registered Users of our service (Accounts active at anytime during the auction period) or their immediate families, networks and affiliates to any Seller against a vehicle that was not sold due to not making the reserve price set.   This clause is effective for 8 weeks after the auction end date.  We take reasonable steps to monitor this process including but not limited to the communications sent between Buyers and Sellers via our service.

Breach of Agreement; if we ascertain reasonable evidence that a breach to these terms above then the SELLER  will be charged 6% of the agreed reserve price or of the final bid, whichever is the greater sum. This is to cover our costs of consigning the vehicle during the auction preparation process, which includes but is not limited to our time invested to appraise the vehicle, consider its market position, cover any travel and subsistence costs to view the vehicle and incurred marketing costs.  If we believe there has been a breach of this agreement, and liability from the Seller has not been disclosed, then we will investigate and produce evidence for legal proceedings, for example to supply directly to the small claims court; more details on this process can be found on the UK Government website.

Can I advertise / sell my car elsewhere during the auction? 

No - we do ask you to refrain from doing so.

We have chosen your car as we believe an online auction route is the best process to achieve the highest possible price.

If in the unlikely event you wish to remove the car from sale then you will be charged 6% of either the starting bid or current bid at that time, whichever is greater.

This is to cover our costs of working with you during the auction preparation process.

Can I change the reserve price up?

No - after we agree consignment of the car with an associated reserve price then this is set for the duration of the process / auction. 

However, you could cancel the contract with us, but then you would be liable for 5% + VAT of the initially agreed reserve price - please see Section 6.1.21 of our terms for more info. 

This rule is in place to protect our service, as if you decide to move the reserve up then naturally it will decrease the chances of sale - which is a key factor for us when deciding to take your car into our service.

You are free to lower the reserve - please see 'Can I change the reserve price down?' for more information.

Can I change the reserve price down?

Yes - you are free to lower the reserve at any time  - we just need at least 2 hours notice before the end of the auction, e.g. if your auction ends at 7.30pm then you have up until 5.30pm on the day of the auction to write to us saying you want to reduce the reserve.

Naturally there is no restriction on lowering the reserve as it will increase our chances of a successful sale.  However, we do need the direction in writing on email or instant message to one of the team you are working with.

If I lower the reserve then will you make up the difference?

No - if you decide to authorise a lower reserve to us for any reason, at any point in the process, then we will not make up the difference to any previously agreed reserve price.  This is because you have decided to reduce the lowest price for the car that you are willing to accept.  This decision may have been by your own accord or recommended to you by us - either way it is your decision.

What if the buyer doesn't complete the transaction?

The buyer is contractually bound to purchase the car from you within 7 days of the auction end.

We automatically deduct our non-refundable 5%+ VAT Trade Classics Fee (Buyer Commission) from the buyer's credit card at the end of the auction, so they are financially tied to the transaction.

If the buyer still doesn't complete then you can either choose to take no action, or issue legal proceedings to recover the money.  This is the same process as any other auction sale - traditional or online.

Do you offer a turnkey selling service?

Coming Soon - we are in the process of sourcing a trusted storage partner so we can manage the whole sale if required, e.g. collect the vehicle, valet service, take photos / videos, list and manage the auction including final payment. Some features may be available earlier and we shall advertise these at the time - we are in the process of sourcing a trusted storage partner so we can manage the whole sale if required, e.g. collect the vehicle, valet service, take photos / videos, list and manage the auction including final payment.

What happens if the car doesn't sell - will you re-auction?

If your car doesn't sell at auction then we'll try our best to sell it post-auction at a price you're happy with.

However, of course we can't guarantee a sale, like any other service, but we do try our very best to get you that sale.

If the car doesn't sell at auction or post-auction, then we'll let you know and give you feedback on the process.  Rest assured, due to our own extensive buyer network and the unique way we advertise your car across other platforms, e.g. eBay and Pistonheads it does mean all potential interested parties will have seen the car.

If we think your car could sell in the future then we may offer a re-run of the auction, however, that has to be at least three months from the date of the last auction - it's just there is no point re-auctioning a car sooner as we will have marketed it to all interested parties at that time.  We'd need to wait for a new group of people that may be interested in the car to stand a chance of sale at the price you're looking for.

 

GET A FREE VALUATION

 
 

Sold Mercedes

 
 


SOLD for £14,840

A solid grand tourer, the 380SL looks the part with its stunning red interior.

SOLD for £12,720

The R107 never fails to turn heads wherever it ventures - and this one is a nice usable example.

SOLD for £18,285

A beautiful roadster from the marque that knows a thing or two about this class

SOLD for £39,220

An exciting project car that's ready to be transformed.

SOLD for £9,214

There's no denying that the R129 has earned its place in the modern classic hall of fame, thanks to its boxy lines and powerhouse of an engine.

SOLD for £8,900

A fantastic example of a beautiful '80s coupe - the 450 SLC.

SOLD for £15,900

A perfect summer cruiser - in a classic period colour.

SOLD for £25,440

An investment quality 380 SL that ticks all the boxes.

SOLD for £18,285

Mercedes-Benz loved putting the hand built AMG 6.2L V8 in to the model range, this the soft top CLK variant

SOLD for £6,360

A beautiful example of the Mercedes saloon, low ownership and modest mileage

SOLD for £21,495

The ever popular 300 SL with the most desirable model year.

SOLD for £29,945

A beautifully present, top of the line 500 SL facelift R107, with a recorded low mileage

SOLD for £9,222

The R129 model SL320 benefitted from a facelift in 1998 along with the introduction of the 3.2L V6 engine providing improved performance and making this turn of the century roadster worthy of a place in the Mercedes-Benz history book.

SOLD for £9,435

After nearly four decades of being on the road this beautiful SL is just as good today as it was during the 80s.

SOLD for £19,610

Beauty, elegance and class - this car is a suitably fine experience.

SOLD for £6,466

A stalwart in the modern classic line-up for Mercedes-Benz

SOLD for £4,770

Stunning, Low Mileage, One Owner CLK430

SOLD for £12,720

A ready to drive SL with a recent bulkhead renovation.

SOLD for £41,950

Stunning, elegant US import that's ready to be used and enjoyed.

SOLD for £11,660

Timeless classic at entry level money, a winning combination

SOLD for £4,295

A cute two-seater with neat visual design cues - don't be fooled, this roadster is rather nippy with its supercharged 2.3L powerplant.

SOLD for £4,198

Mercedes set the bar high for the luxury automotive market back in 1984 with the brand new W124 saloon.

SOLD for £9,223

A fantastic SEL - presidential luxury and entry level pricing.

SOLD for £23,320

The R129 has been taken to a whole other level with the exclusive Designo Edition - creating a real head-turner.

SOLD for £14,840

Recent restoration for a rare early car

SOLD for £7,950

Regarded as one of Stuttgart's finest designs, the R129 offers superb touring credentials and all the power you'd ever need.

SOLD for £4,852

One of the best 190s you'll find on the market today.

SOLD for £18,020

V12's are fast becoming a thing of the past, this Mercedes-Benz reminds us why so many still love them

SOLD for £10,918

Absolutely remarkable condition W123, you'll struggle to find one better

SOLD for £90,000

A wonderful 190 SL - cars don't get more pretty than this!

SOLD for £12,720

Small car, big engine, and drop-top make for a lot of fun in the sun - introducing this hugely respected AMG SLK55.

SOLD for £12,190

Big, beautiful, hand-built classic oozing with character - the 280 SE.

SOLD for £23,055

A timeless classic which never fails to draw a lot of attention for its beautiful and high-quality act.

SOLD for £10,865

The perfect balance of performance, economy, and luxury - the E-Class Cabriolet.

SOLD for £6,255

The iconic SL was emphatically and dramatically brought up to date in 1989 with the bold Bruno Sacco designed and technologically advanced R129.

SOLD for £11,250

SL500 - Craftsmanship, Power and Elegance

SOLD for £10,706

A low mileage SL 500 that's ready for a new owner.

SOLD for £13,780

Unstoppable off-road performance, this utilitarian vehicle provides the perfect blend of luxury and usability.

SOLD for £32,500

A great 280 SE and has to be one of the best looking cars to come out of the Mercedes factory.

SOLD for £7,950

A very well looked after SL320 in a superb colorway.

SOLD for £13,780

An original and well-cared example of the '80s classic tourer.

SOLD for £16,960

The R107s are bullet proof cars and make a great everyday classic - this one is perfect to be used and improved.

SOLD for £9,599

American inspired ‘Fintail’ offers stately sixties cruising in comfort and style.

SOLD for £3,710

Comfortable, spacious and refined motoring.

SOLD for £6,360

Mercedes-Benz's most exclusive luxury coupe with its mighty 5.8L V12.

SOLD for £9,010

This '90s R129 is a bonafide modern classic with the '90s boxy good looks and thorough engineering.

SOLD for £6,784

A project to improve and uplift.

SOLD for £6,573

From a Mercedes mad family going to a new Mercedes mad owner.

SOLD for £17,199

The powerful M119 V8-32 with a 5-speed auto gearbox is offered in this desirable SL500.

SOLD for £11,236

The R129 facelift model with its advanced safety features, luxury and sporty performance is definitely a modern classic.

SOLD for £47,700

A well-restored example of the iconic Mercedes-Benz Pagoda

SOLD for £47,700

A great 230 SL that's ready to be driven and improved over time.

SOLD for £12,985

Boxy good looks and a whole lot of power - 1992 Mercedes-Benz SL 500.

SOLD for £9,805

The R129s are on the rise - we only consign the bests ones and this is no exception.

SOLD for £12,720

This is a fantastic 450 SL that's ready for a new owner to use and enjoy.

SOLD for £90,000

The birth of the SL model in the Mercedes lineup for decades to come - The 190 SL.

SOLD for £10,176

An express estate, these spritely wagons from Mercedes-Benz pack a punch with practicality

SOLD for £10,600

A bulletproof world-record-setting '80s legend - The 190E Cosworth 16v.

SOLD for £14,840

A class above the rest, the more responsive and balanced Sportline edition

SOLD for £7,200

A well maintained and preserved example of an appreciating modern classic

SOLD for £19,000

The perfect combination of power and comfort - The 1971 Mercedes 300 SEL

SOLD for £8,215

The ultimate roadster, Mercedes-Benz delivered a timeless classic with the R129.

SOLD for £18,550

The Tourer Performer - 1994 Mercedes-Benz SL500 (R129)

SOLD for £10,600

A step change in the SL Class, the R230 ensured the roadster still remains a favourite

SOLD for £4,028

Classic limousine of choice - 2000 Mercedes-Benz S280

SOLD for £16,165

Powerful and Beautiful - 1989 Mercedes-Benz 300 SL.

SOLD for £9,275

The Ultimate Grand Tourer - 2007 Mercedes SL350.

SOLD for £20,935

Open-top motoring with exceptional build quality.

SOLD for £15,848

What an exception Mercedes AMG - a big deal car to cross any country in.

SOLD for £11,130

High performance in comfort and quality, the CL highlights Mercedes' best attributes in one package.

SOLD for £17,204

1988 Mercedes SL500 V8 - The '80s cult classic.

SOLD for £9,275

The Ultimate Boulevard Cruiser - 1973 Mercedes 350 SLC

SOLD for £7,000

Ultimate Performance Tourer - the Mercedes SL500 R129

SOLD for £16,324

Dashing Hollywood good looks with a sharp snout and chiselled jaw, enter the 500 SL.

SOLD for £3,819

"One Lady Owner", this well kept little roadster in impeccable condition with just ~17.5k miles.

SOLD for £23,850

A lovely little face lift 500 SL made it's way to a new owner.

SOLD for £14,522

A proper classic Geländewagen, short wheel base and diesel power to all the wheels

SOLD for £17,490

This is a big deal SL - a might AMG with very low mileage. A lot of car for the money.

SOLD for £64,130

In the family since 1987, this beautiful 250 SL Pagoda in original paint scheme is classic SL through and through

SOLD for £23,585

A late model R107, in black, with the 5.0L V8, what more could you want!

SOLD for £10,865

An affordable classic that is an absolute joy to drive, summer cruising ready

SOLD for £25,000

A classic R107, this example is an early model imported originally from Australia

SOLD for £10,000

A nice Mercedes 300 SL, snapped up before auction.

SOLD for £7,495

A big summer cruiser and ready for John, the new owner, to use and enjoy.

SOLD for £13,500

An extremely rare pre-merger AMG with lots of power to torque about

SOLD for £11,000

A gorgeous blue 450 SL from North America, registered and ready for a new owner...

SOLD for £12,614

Pre-Auction Sale - contact us for a negotiated sale before auction is scheduled.....


 
 

 
 

* January 2022 – forecasting additional money returned to sellers by comparing total cost to buyer (including all premiums & fees) against average published fees & commissions of ten of the most established classic car auction houses in the UK to our service.