'97 R170 SLK 230 - Get rid options
Discussion
Got a 65k mile '97 SLK 230 in the family that I'm taking responsibility for getting shot of. Don't really have the time of space to sit it on the classifieds for 3/ of a year whilst trying to sell it. Dealers'll not be interested in it. On top of that from August it's inside ULEZ and is a non-compliant car.
Is scrapping my only remaining option (seems such a shame as little wrong with it)? If so does anyone have any recommendations of breakers in the north London/Hertfordshire area?
Is scrapping my only remaining option (seems such a shame as little wrong with it)? If so does anyone have any recommendations of breakers in the north London/Hertfordshire area?
If there's little wrong with it and it's not simply a pile of rust, why not put it through one of the 'classic' auctions; even with no reserve you should get something for it.
If you're not fussed whether or not you achieve any return on it, why not put it on one of the MB club forums as 'free', rather than scrap a decent car. Use it as 'scrappage' if they're doing one for ULEZ.
If you're not fussed whether or not you achieve any return on it, why not put it on one of the MB club forums as 'free', rather than scrap a decent car. Use it as 'scrappage' if they're doing one for ULEZ.
Last call for ACA's classic auction in King's Lynn in just under three weeks and an R170 is very much the kind of thing they sell and my impression is that their charges are reasonable: https://www.angliacarauctions.co.uk/classic-auctio...
Assuming that the roof and other major items work, SLKs are a popular buy, particularly in the summer. For a hassle-free sale, personally I would take a few photos and put it on Ebay at a low starting price (perhaps £500) - specifying "collection only". That way, the buyer will have the problem of shifting it.
If you haven't already done so, I suggest entering its registration number on the DVLA's MoT checker website, and choose "MoT history" to see if past years threw up any major problems. Many buyers use that site to see what problems may be lurking, so if you already know, you are pre-warned and can cover them in your advert or when someone views the car.
If you price it right, it will sell.
If you haven't already done so, I suggest entering its registration number on the DVLA's MoT checker website, and choose "MoT history" to see if past years threw up any major problems. Many buyers use that site to see what problems may be lurking, so if you already know, you are pre-warned and can cover them in your advert or when someone views the car.
If you price it right, it will sell.
There'll be lots of different opinions but I've sold about 15 cars and motorcycles on eBay in the 22 years I've used it. Mostly classifieds, but some by auction, from a rusty Ford Fiesta through a CLK320 to a TVR Chimaera, never had a buyer fail to complete and collect. One haggled after winning the auction 
which annoyed me but I knocked a bit off to save re-listing it.
which annoyed me but I knocked a bit off to save re-listing it.Personally I'd get in touch with a classic car auctioneer... somewhere well away from any ULEZ zones.
65k is pretty low mileage for a car that age and R170s do have a bit of a following, even if they are still modest money.
You could always float it on a few Facebook owners' groups as others have suggested - that should help gauge interest.
Good luck!
Edit: SLKs sold at Matthewson's in North Yorkshire recently - going rate seems to be £2k, give or take a few hundred...
https://www.mathewsons.co.uk/auction/search/?st=Me...
65k is pretty low mileage for a car that age and R170s do have a bit of a following, even if they are still modest money.
You could always float it on a few Facebook owners' groups as others have suggested - that should help gauge interest.
Good luck!
Edit: SLKs sold at Matthewson's in North Yorkshire recently - going rate seems to be £2k, give or take a few hundred...
https://www.mathewsons.co.uk/auction/search/?st=Me...
Edited by YorksLS18 on Tuesday 1st August 19:03
trevalvole said:
Last call for ACA's classic auction in King's Lynn in just under three weeks and an R170 is very much the kind of thing they sell and my impression is that their charges are reasonable: https://www.angliacarauctions.co.uk/classic-auctio...
I would also suggest ACA, if the OP's whereabouts as Hertfordshire are accurate. They sold a 1998 one for £1700 + fees in June:https://angliacarauctions.co.uk/classic-auctions/2...
I note they charge £125 to enter a car though. A classic auction (the ones with premises, not the ones like Historics or CCA who have pop-up days at racecourses etc and you have to remove it within 24 hrs!) would accept the vehicle an hold onto it until the auction day too. SWVA in Poole and Manor Park in Runcorn have free entry, subject to a reasonable reserve price of course, I expect!
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