Mercedes 500 Sel Auto (1981)
1981 Mercedes 500 Sel Auto
CarHunch has 327 1981 Mercedes 500 Sel Auto vehicles on record, but none have light-vehicle MOT history in our data source.
Moderate sample. 327 vehicles on record. Figures are indicative — the specific vehicle's history matters more than these averages.
No MOT data available for this vehicle type
The 1981 Mercedes 500 Sel Auto doesn't appear in DVLA light-vehicle MOT records — it may be exempt, registered as a different vehicle class, or an import not subject to UK MOT testing. We don't have reliability stats for this specific model, but you can browse other Mercedes vehicles below.
Got a specific Mercedes 500 Sel Auto you're checking out?
The real detail is in the individual vehicle report — MOT history, AI Hunches, mileage timeline, and defect patterns for that specific reg.
The 1981 Mercedes 500 SEL is a classic heavy executive saloon from the final year of the W116 generation, and it falls outside the DVLA's light-vehicle MOT database — meaning no pass rate or defect statistics are available for this cohort. These cars, now over 40 years old, are typically owned as cherished classics or investments rather than daily drivers, so MOT test volumes are too low to generate meaningful reliability data.
What matters for a buyer is that any 500 SEL of this age will require specialist knowledge to maintain and a realistic budget for restoration or major mechanical work. Before purchasing, have the car inspected by a Mercedes specialist familiar with W116 models; check service history meticulously, as parts availability and repair costs reflect classic-car economics rather than modern standards. The Carhunch score of 50 reflects data scarcity, not poor reliability — these cars are prized for engineering quality, but their age demands hands-on diligence.
We have 327 1981 Mercedes 500 Sel Auto vehicles on record, but none have light-vehicle MOT history in our data source.
There are a few reasons this can happen:
- Heavy commercial vehicle — trucks, buses and coaches over 3.5 tonnes are tested under the DVSA annual HGV/PSV regime, which uses a separate database not included in our data source
- Imported vehicles — vehicles registered abroad and recently brought to the UK may have no UK MOT history yet
- MOT-exempt — vehicles manufactured before 1986 qualify under the 40-year rolling exemption; some specialist and agricultural vehicles are also exempt
- Never used on public roads — some vehicles are registered but kept off-road and have never required an MOT
Before you buy a 1981 Mercedes 500 Sel Auto
Based on MOT data from 327 vehicles — here's what to check.
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Check the full MOT history.
0% of these vehicles have had a dangerous defect recorded -
recurring advisories often signal problems years before they become failures.
Search the reg on CarHunch for the full MOT history, reliability stats and a free AI-powered analysis of that exact vehicle. -
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Brake pipes, sills and subframes are the key areas on a vehicle this age — structural rust is hard to spot without getting underneath. A mechanic will check all of this before you commit, and give you a concrete basis to negotiate on price.
Inspection
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Outstanding finance, insurance write-offs and clocking won't appear in the MOT records — a dedicated history check covers all of this. Our link gets you 20% off automatically.
History
Get 20% off via CarHunch
Colour Breakdown
Based on 3,492 Mercedes 500 Sel Auto vehicles registered in the UK — across all years. From DVLA registration records.
Or browse all models: Mercedes →
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