2012 Mercedes-Benz SLK55 AMG

Highlights 

• Highly desirable luxury performance roadster

• 416bhp, 5.5-litre naturally aspirated V8

• Comprehensive main dealer and specialist service history

• Highly specified

• Meticulously maintained

• In excellent condition both inside and out

• Long, advisory-free MOT 

Overview

The concept of big engines in small cars has always been a particularly compelling one. From models like the Sunbeam Tiger to the Renault Clio V6, diminutive machines with whopping great motors will never not be exciting. Whether it's the sleeper nature of such creations or the sheer thrill of the high performance/little car dynamic, it's a pairing that continues to excite. We could provide a myriad further examples of said dichotomy but perhaps one of the most appealing and best developed of the bunch is Mercedes' SLK55 AMG.

Anyone with a modicum of motoring knowledge will be familiar with the performance arm of Mercedes-Benz; after all, it has produced some truly monstrous models over the years. With its SLK compact luxury roadster, Mercedes-AMG really did create something special in the two-seater sports car market - a car that's arguably on par, at least in terms of desirability, with such iconic models as the Pagoda that came before. 

The first SLK arrived on the scene in 1996 and subsequently spawned two further generations, culminating in the R172 that was produced between 2011 and 2022. A cracking car in its own right it wasn't until the AMG-fettled SLK55 in 2012 that things got serious. With AMG examples having been a stalwart of the range since the beginning it came as no surprise that the third-gen SLK would receive similar treatment and it did not disappoint. Fitted with a 5.5-litre naturally aspirated V8 developing a whopping 416bhp the SLK55 AMG could hit 60mph from parked in just four-and-a-half seconds before topping out at an electronically limited 155mph.

Presented in arguably the best colour, this particular 2012 Mercedes-Benz SLK55 AMG presents beautifully throughout and comes complete with that all-important service history, in this case from both main dealers and marque specialists. The highly optioned interior presents incredibly well and comes fully loaded with all of the bells and whistles one could possibly require. 

Used regularly but clearly cherished and meticulously maintained, the car benefits from a recent specialist service care of Project AMG as well as a long, advisory-free MOT. With low miles for its age and reportedly mechanically healthy and driving like a dream this beautiful performance roadster is ready to rock and roll.

History and documentation

• 2012 model year

• V5C present and correct in the vendor's name

• In current ownership since 17 Dec 2019

• First registered 25 Jul 2012

• Five registered former keepers

• Original book pack and wallet

• Two keys plus locking wheel bolt set

• Mercedes digital service report showing inspections at the following intervals: Service A at 3,218 miles (2013 – main dealer), Service B at 5,539 miles (2014 – main dealer), Service A at 11,751 miles (2015 – main dealer), Service B at 19,838 miles (2016 – main dealer), Service A at 29,454 miles (2017 – main dealer), Service B at 37,940 miles (2018 – main dealer), Service A at 49,417 miles (2019 – main dealer), Service B at 55,524 miles (2020 – main dealer), Service A at 61,133 miles (2021 – main dealer), Service B+gearbox service at 66,547 miles (2023 – specialist)

• Invoice for A service+gearbox service at marque specialists 04 Jan 2023

• Invoice for A service+brake fluid at marque specialists 26 Mar 2024

• Invoice for B service at marque specialists 13 Feb 2025

• Recent Invoice for A service at marque specialists 23 Feb 2026

• Receipt for four wheel alignment dated 15 Apr 2025

• Vendor reports that all documentation for the last six years is available with every receipt

• HPI clear

• London ULEZ compliant

• Advisory-free MOT until 5 Dec 2026

• 81,204 indicated miles 

Interior

• Wholly original and highly specified

• In excellent shape throughout with no signs of any damage

• Vendor reports that everything works with no known faults

• Black ash wood trim is in top condition

• Heated, three position memory Nappa leather seats are also excellent (steering wheel position and lumbar support included)

• No major rips, tears, marks, or scuffs aside from the expected age-related wear to the driver's side seat bolster

• Optional AMG floor mats are clean and tidy

• Airscarf/fabric air deflector

• Hidden ambient light pack

• IWC Schuffhausen analogue clock

• Dual zone automatic climate control

• DVD player

• Harman Kardon seven speaker audio upgrade

• Brushed aluminium roll bar covers

• Glass panoramic roof

• Automatic garage door opener

• Heated washer system for windscreen and headlights

• Auto dimming rear view and heated side mirrors

• Adaptive intelligent headlights

• Three mode gearbox

• Parking sensors

• DISTRONIC plus radar cruise control, auto lane recognition and traffic sign recognition

• Speed limiter

• Blind spot assistant

• LED daytime running lights with auto high beam

• Rain sensing wipers

• Tyre pressure monitoring system

• Electrically folding mirrors

• AMG sports information mode with lap timer

• Stop/start eco mode 

• Boot space is equally well-presented and comes with hard boot liner but the vendor informs us that  the gas struts for the boot lid are a little weak; they easily hold the boot up when open but the boot has to be lifted rather than raise itself

• Engine bay is tidy, if a little dusty in places

Exterior

• The vendor informs us that the car is all original with no known paint repairs

• Exterior bodywork is in overall very good condition

• Usual signs of wear and tear commensurate with age and mileage such as light washing scratches and stone chipping to the front

• No evidence of any corrosion

• The original paint retains a good shine

• All rubber and plastics are in excellent condition

• Panel gaps appear uniform across the board

• All glasswork is in good condition but the windscreen has a very small non-MOT failure chip in the passenger's eyeline which has been repaired

• The factory five-spoke 18” alloy wheels do not exhibit any major signs of damage but the vendor reports that they would benefit from a refurbishment due to some slight lacquer delamination in places

• Vendor reports that all four Michelin Pilot Sport 5 tyres are virtually new 

• Two spare Pirelli P Zero tyres with plenty of tread left included: one front, one rear

• Underneath presents well with all under trays present and correctly fixed

• The vendor reports that the brake lines have been treated to prevent corrosion  

• Rear badges supplied but not fitted

Mechanical

• 416bhp, 5.5-litre V8 engine 

• Speedshift Plus 7G-Tronic seven-speed automatic transmission 

• Rear-wheel drive

• 0-60mph in 4.5s

• 155mph top speed (limited)

• Valved exhaust system

• Fitted with wired in port for a CTEK battery conditioner which the vendor reports is always plugged in when the car is not in use and a battery conditioning programme is carried out every six months

• Vendor reports no leaks are present in any of the fluid systems 

• No mechanical issues to report 

Summary

A pint-sized bruiser that still cuts a dash today, this modern classic Mercedes-Benz SLK55 AMG comes with a fresh service and clean bill of health from marque specialists Project AMG on top of an already very impressive service record. 

A convertible Mercedes with a V8 engine is always a winning combo and this car has clearly been cosseted its entire life. The vendor informs us that the car is used regularly, avoiding bad weather, always garaged with no long layups, has a consistent yearly mileage and virtually never does short trips. Revs are always kept low until oil is up to 79 degrees, it starts instantly whether hot or cold and drives like a dream with relentless acceleration. 

It’s incredibly versatile thanks to the multiple gearbox modes and has been a wonderfully reliable roadster that's relatively cheap to run with low road tax and decent MPG. It just so happens to be blisteringly fast to boot. We would.

To arrange a viewing, click the 'Book Viewing' button located under the 'Place Bid' button. Viewings can be booked up until the day before the auction ends, after which the option will change to 'Contact Seller' for further enquiries. This seller is located in Frome, Somerset.