Used Mercedes-Benz SLC review and buying guide (2016 to 2020): which one to buy and what to check

Which used Mercedes-Benz SLC should you buy?

Buy an SLC 250 d if it's going to be used most days, and an AMG SLC 43 only if the sound is the point. There's just one SLC, sold from 2016 to 2020, so the choice comes down to engine and condition rather than era. The diesel is built for economy, while the 43 gets through a lot of fuel.

Don't read the empty fault list as a clean bill of health. There isn't a single known fault or owner's report on record for the SLC, which means little is known about how it holds up, not that nothing goes wrong. It started life as the 2011 SLK, but nothing on record says what that means for how it ages, so judge each car on its own paperwork.

Which SLC engines and gearboxes are the safe choices?

The SLC 250 d diesel is the everyday choice, because it's the frugal one and no fault is recorded against it, though that says more about how thin the record is than about the engine. The AMG SLC 43 sounds great from the driver's seat and from the pavement, but it's very thirsty, so only go for one if that noise matters more to you than fuel bills.

There's no known gearbox fault and no service schedule on record for any SLC. That's a gap rather than a guarantee, so ask for the full service history and make sure the gearbox changes smoothly, both up and down the gears, on a test drive long enough to get everything properly warm.

What should you check when viewing a used SLC?

The folding hard top comes first: lower it and raise it several times, watching that it moves in one smooth go, locks fully at both ends and sits flush against its seals. A roof that pauses halfway, needs a helping hand or leaves a gap needs looking at before any money changes hands.

Paperwork counts for more than usual because so little is on record about how the SLC ages. Ask for a stamped or invoiced service history covering every year of the car's life, receipts for any work done on the roof, and a straight answer from the seller on whether any recall work is outstanding.

Check the practical side too. There aren't any Isofix points on the passenger seat, so if a child seat has to go in, make sure yours can be fitted safely with the belt before you commit. Then drop the roof and try your usual luggage in the boot, so you know what room is left with the top stowed.

Paste the advert into the free check and it runs these against the listing, the MOT history and the DVLA record before you travel.

What does a used Mercedes-Benz SLC cost to run?