MERCEDES · MERCEDES 312 · Cars
MERCEDES 312 Ultra-rare
As of 2026 Q2, 8 MERCEDES 312s remain registered in the UK — one of the rarest cars in Britain on today's roads. That's down from a peak of 9 in 2015 Q3 — only 89% of the high-water mark, a loss of about 1 cars. Numbers have held broadly steady over recent years rather than falling away — often the mark of a model that owners deliberately preserve. In all, the MERCEDES 312 is rarer than 81% of the 2,315 UK car models we track, putting it firmly in 2026's endangered class.
Survivors over time
How rare is it?
Genuinely rare — only 8 left on UK roads.
Rarer than 81% of the 2,315 UK car models we track.
Trend
About the 312
The Mercedes-Benz W 116 is a series of flagship luxury sedans produced from September 1972 until 1980. The W 116 automobiles were the first Mercedes-Benz models to be officially called S-Class, although some earlier sedan models had already been designated unofficially with the letter S for "special class" (German: "Sonderklasse"). The W 116 was selected as European Car of the Year in 1974.
MERCEDES 312 — questions & answers
How many MERCEDES 312 are left in the UK?
As of 2026 Q2, 8 MERCEDES 312 were still registered in the UK — 3 licensed and on the road, plus 5 declared SORN (off-road). The figures come from official DVLA vehicle licensing data.
Is the MERCEDES 312 rare?
The MERCEDES 312 is genuinely rare, with only 8 left, making it rarer than 81% of the 2,315 UK car models we track.
Is the MERCEDES 312 increasing or decreasing?
Over the last year the number of MERCEDES 312 on UK roads held steady.
What fuel do most MERCEDES 312 use?
Most MERCEDES 312 run on diesel — about 100% of those still registered.
When did the MERCEDES 312 peak?
The MERCEDES 312 peaked at 9 registered in 2015 Q3, and was first recorded in the data in 2014 Q3.