Highlights

Same family keepers from new
Factory standard, well maintained car
Desirable Obsidian Black with ivory and black leather
Rare original V8 M113 engine
Private license plate valued at £900 included
Long MOT to December 2025

The Appeal

At first glance, to the uninitiated, this may look like a regular W202. Fire it up, though, and we’re in entirely different territory. The burbling V8 C43 was the first Mercedes-Benz fully developed from the ground-up by AMG and it took subtlety and surprise as its calling cards.

The C43 is a rip-snorting, 310bhp riposte to BMW’s altogether more shouty M3. This car continues the theme with its handsome combination of Obsidian Black paintwork mated to a smart two-tone ivory and black leather cabin, It has been in the hands of the same family since new - most of it with the original keeper, the current keeper’s father - and has clearly been well looked after.

Displaying low mileage for the year and reassuringly factory-standard - including the original Monoblock-style alloys - this car is ready to use and enjoy. The sale even includes the private plate, which the vendor values at £900. Added confidence is provided by the long MOT, which runs to December 2025.

The C43 is one of the classic world’s best modern saloon sleepers. Grab this one before it slips away.

The vendor tells us:

“It drives absolutely fantastically. It is better than many newer cars you buy. The highlight is that engine! They just don’t make cars like this any more. It moves like a jet!”

The History and Paperwork

First registered 30th October 1998
Built by the factory in September 1998
Three registered keepers from new
Vendor informs is the car was purchased new in 1998 by his late father
The car was briefly registered to his brother, the will’s executor
The vendor has registered the car recently to himself to enable the sale
We are told servicing was kept up to date by the owner's father, but documentation is missing
Vendor informs us that the car has always been garaged
MOT valid until 10th December 2025 with advisories to note
Private plate valued by seller at £900 is included in the sale

The Condition

Very tidy and attractive car in Obsidian Black metallic
Paintwork presents well for age with some light marks to note
These include stone chips to bonnet as shown
Due to the age and mileage buyers should be realistic about condition
Bodywork presents straight with good panel fit and no accident damage reported
Arches, sills and underside in good order for year with no structural advisories on MOT
Vendor advises slight rust underneath but this appears to be non-structural
Original five-spoke AMG alloy wheels in good order with light marks
Tyres present well with no advisories for tyres on current MOT
Lights in good order with minor advisories to note on MOT
Smart two-tone black and ivory leather cabin with few signs of wear
High traffic areas such as driver’s seat present well with slight bolster wear
Well specified cabin with electric and heated AMG front seats, heated screen wash and glass tilt/slide sunroof
Interior switchgear in good order with few signs of wear but some light scuffs
Features two-tone leather AMG wheel to match seats showing light wear
Aluminium-effect central console trim
Original radio system but the front fascia is missing and may need replacing
The vendor advises that the heater blower motor does not work but the fan resistor is reported to work ok
Apart from the above we have no reports of electrical or switchgear malfunctions

The Mechanics

M113 4,266cc 310bhp AMG-tuned V8 engine
5spd automatic gearbox with AMG tuning to speed up shift changes
0-60mph in 5.7secs
Advisories to note on current MOT
Vendor advises the oil leak noted on MOT is slight and garage advises is an easy repair
Well maintained car with servicing kept up to date according to seller
Long MOT to December 2025 with advisories to note for brakes and slight oil leak
No reported running or driving issues
Matching numbers car with original engine according to seller

BEFORE YOU BUY

This sale is subject to the Car & Classic Terms and Conditions. By bidding and/or making an offer, you also agree to the following:

✓ The seller is registered as a private seller which means consumer rights stemming from EU consumer protection law do not come into effect. However, you are still covered by Car & Classic’s own Terms and Conditions..

✓ We request that a non-refundable fee be paid if you are the lucky winning bidder at auction or if your offer is accepted Please refer to our helpful FAQs and T&Cs for specific rates.

✓ This vehicle is “Sold As Seen”, on an “As Is Where Is’ basis and without warranty. Photos and descriptions are solely for guidance purposes and it's customary to carry out a full inspection of the vehicle prior to purchase for your own peace of mind.

✓ VAT is included in the buyer's fee. VAT may or may not be included in the final bid or offer price, as specified in the listing.

✓ We want a smooth transaction just as much as you do and as such we run all UK-registered cars and motorbikes for sale on Car & Classic through an online HPI check to verify that they show no insurance database markers for damage or theft, and have no finance owing, allowing you to bid with confidence.

✓ We also check whether vehicles are recorded as being written off as part of an insurance total loss claim at the time an advert is placed on Car & Classic and we helpfully provide write-off category labels (Cat C/D/S/N) for your assistance. However, the presence or absence of a label does not guarantee the vehicle’s status and it is always worthwhile carrying out your own full vehicle history check before making an offer on a vehicle.

✓ Buyers are responsible for vehicle collection

or delivery. Importing vehicles may result in additional customs duties and import taxes so it’s worth checking beforehand..

Comments

Dornfor••••

2 hours ago

Has the vendor investigated where the car might have been serviced to dee if there are any records/invoices? If not, could this be done?

shah.hu••••

seller

1 hour ago

No and it’s not possible sadly. My father lived separately from the children - nearly 75 miles away. Car was a part of the estate, but fathers then wife, destroyed all documentation related to the car, but I can assure you, he took great care and pride of his car. It’s the best I can give on this matter unfortunately