The most expensive Mercedes-Benz ever sold is the 1955 300 SLR Uhlenhaut Coupe, which fetched $143 million at RM Sotheby’s in May 2022. It is also the most expensive car ever sold at auction, as of October 2026. This list ranks the 15 highest recorded Mercedes-Benz auction prices, from that record down to $6.6 million.
Our ranking uses sale prices from auction results, not asking prices or estimates. The pre-war grand cars and the Silver Arrow racers dominate, and no modern road car comes close.
| Rank | Car | Sale | Price |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | 1955 300 SLR Uhlenhaut Coupe | RM Sotheby’s, May 2022 | $143 million |
| 2 | 1954 W196 R Stromlinienwagen | RM Sotheby’s, Feb 2025 | $53.9 million |
| 3 | 1954 W196 Formula 1 car | Bonhams, Jul 2013 | $29.6 million |
| 4 | 2013 F1 W04 | RM Sotheby’s, Nov 2023 | $18.8 million |
| 5 | 1936 540 K Special Roadster | Gooding & Company, Aug 2012 | $11.8 million |
| 6 | 2002 CLK GTR Roadster | RM Sotheby’s, Nov 2023 | $10.2 million |
| 7 | 1937 540 K Special Roadster (chassis 154075) | RM Sotheby’s, Aug 2022 | $9.9 million |
| 8 | 1937 540 K Special Roadster (chassis 130894) | RM Sotheby’s, Jan 2016 | $9.9 million |
| 9 | 1937 540 K Spezial Roadster | RM Auctions, Aug 2011 | $9.7 million |
| 10 | 1956 300 SL Alloy Gullwing | RM Sotheby’s, Oct 2024 | $9.4 million |
| 11 | 1937 540 K Special Roadster (chassis 4086) | RM Auctions, Oct 2007 | $8.3 million |
| 12 | 1928 680 S Torpedo Roadster | RM Auctions, Aug 2013 | $8.2 million |
| 13 | 1939 540 K Special Roadster | RM Auctions, Aug 2013 | $7.5 million |
| 14 | 1929 38/250 SSK | Bonhams, Sep 2004 | $7.4 million |
| 15 | 1939 540 K Special Roadster (resale) | RM Sotheby’s, Jan 2017 | $6.6 million |
What are the most expensive Mercedes-Benz cars ever sold?
Each entry below is one recorded sale. Where the same chassis or model sold more than once, each sale is its own entry. Other well-known sales, such as a supercharged 26/120/180 S that made $5.4 million in 2021 and a 500 K that made $5.3 million in 2025, fall just below the cut.
1. 1955 300 SLR Uhlenhaut Coupe: $143 million
Two of these coupes were built in 1955, based on the 300 SLR racing car and named after Mercedes engineer Rudolf Uhlenhaut. The car sold in May 2022 at RM Sotheby’s in a sale organised by Mercedes-Benz itself, and its price remains the world record for any car at auction.
How we valued it: $143 million paid on the day.
2. 1954 W196 R Stromlinienwagen: $53.9 million
The Stromlinienwagen is the streamlined, enclosed-wheel version of the 1954 Mercedes Silver Arrow Grand Prix car. It sold in February 2025 at RM Sotheby’s for $53.9 million, one of the highest prices ever paid for a car at auction.
How we valued it: total sale price of $53.9 million.
3. 1954 W196 Formula 1 car: $29.6 million
This open-wheel W196 was driven by Juan Manuel Fangio in 1954, the season he won the German and Swiss Grands Prix on his way to his second world title. Bonhams sold it at the Goodwood Festival of Speed in July 2013 for about $29.6 million, then a record for any car at auction.
How we valued it: sale price of $29.6 million, with no inflation adjustment.
4. 2013 F1 W04: $18.8 million
The W04 is the car Mercedes used in the 2013 Formula 1 season, the year Lewis Hamilton joined the team. RM Sotheby’s sold one in November 2023 for about $18.8 million, by far the most paid for a modern Formula 1 Mercedes.
How we valued it: auction result of $18.8 million.
5. 1936 540 K Special Roadster: $11.8 million
The 540 K was Mercedes-Benz’s flagship pre-war supercharged grand tourer, and the Special Roadster is its rarest body style. Gooding & Company sold this 1936 car in August 2012 for $11.77 million.
How we valued it: $11.77 million paid on the day.
6. 2002 CLK GTR Roadster: $10.2 million
Only six CLK GTR Roadsters were built, making Mercedes-AMG’s open-top version of its Le Mans-era GT car one of the rarest modern supercars. One sold at RM Sotheby’s in November 2023 for $10.2 million.
How we valued it: total sale price of $10.2 million.
7. 1937 540 K Special Roadster: $9.9 million
A 1937 Special Roadster sold for $9.905 million at RM Sotheby’s in August 2022, narrowly ahead of another 1937 car that made $9.9 million at the same house in January 2016.
How we valued it: sale price of $9.905 million.
8. 1937 540 K Special Roadster, 2016 sale: $9.9 million
The second 1937 Special Roadster on the list went for $9.9 million at RM Sotheby’s in January 2016. It is a different chassis from the 2022 car.
How we valued it: sale price of $9.9 million.
9. 1937 540 K Spezial Roadster: $9.7 million
A third 1937 540 K sold at RM Auctions in August 2011 for $9.68 million, which shows how steady the demand for the 540 K family has been.
How we valued it: sale price of $9.68 million.
10. 1956 300 SL Alloy Gullwing: $9.4 million
The 300 SL Gullwing normally has a steel body. Mercedes also built a small number with a lightweight aluminium body, and that rarity explains the price. This car sold at RM Sotheby’s in October 2024 for $9.355 million.
How we valued it: auction result of $9.355 million.
11. 1937 540 K Special Roadster, 2007 sale: $8.3 million
A fourth 1937 540 K sold at auction in October 2007 for about $8.25 million, one of the early signs that pre-war Mercedes were heading into the eight-figure range.
How we valued it: sale price of about $8.25 million.
12. 1928 680 S Torpedo Roadster: $8.2 million
This sporty 1928 Mercedes carries a body by the French coachbuilder Saoutchik. It sold at RM Auctions in August 2013 for $8.23 million.
How we valued it: $8.23 million paid on the day.
13. 1939 540 K Special Roadster: $7.5 million
The last years of 540 K production made some of its most desirable cars. A 1939 Special Roadster sold at RM Auctions in August 2013 for $7.48 million.
How we valued it: total sale price of $7.48 million.
14. 1929 38/250 SSK: $7.4 million
The SSK was one of the most successful racing and road cars of the late 1920s, and few survive. Bonhams sold this one in September 2004 for $7.44 million.
How we valued it: sale price of $7.44 million.
15. 1939 540 K Special Roadster, resale: $6.6 million
The same 1939 car that sold in 2013 came back to auction in January 2017 and made $6.6 million at RM Sotheby’s. We count it as its own recorded sale.
How we valued it: sale price of $6.6 million.
How does a new Mercedes compare?
The most expensive new Mercedes is the Mercedes-AMG One, a road-legal Formula 1 hybrid with 1,063 PS and a planned price of about $2.72 million per car. Only 275 were planned, and orders reached more than four times that number. The first car was delivered in January 2023.
Keep reading
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FAQ
What is the most expensive Mercedes ever sold?
The 1955 Mercedes-Benz 300 SLR Uhlenhaut Coupe, sold for $143 million at RM Sotheby’s in May 2022. It is the most expensive car ever sold at auction.
What is the second most expensive Mercedes?
The 1954 W196 R Stromlinienwagen, which sold for $53.9 million at RM Sotheby’s in February 2025.
What is the most expensive Mercedes you can buy new?
The Mercedes-AMG One, planned at about $2.72 million per car with 275 cars planned. It uses a Formula 1 hybrid engine producing 1,063 PS.
Why are old Mercedes so valuable?
Rarity, racing history and condition. Cars with a documented race history or only a handful of examples built sell for the highest prices.
What changed since our 2017 list?
We replaced concept cars and tuner builds with recorded auction results. The 2013 W196 sale at $29.6 million is now third, behind two newer records set in 2022 and 2025.
How is this list ranked?
By the price actually paid at auction, in US dollars, without adjusting for inflation. We do not include asking prices, private sales or estimates.
How we estimate net worth
Our estimates are based on public reporting, company valuations, and deal and earnings figures all compiled in an internal valuation model. They are approximate, and figures change over time as new information emerges.
For this list we used recorded auction sale prices and the sale dates for each car. We did not use dealer asking prices or private-sale rumours.
Last updated: October 2026.
