MERCEDES · MERCEDES SL CLASS · Cars
MERCEDES SL CLASS Common
As of 2026 Q1, 21,879 MERCEDES SL CLASSs remain registered in the UK — still a familiar sight on today's roads. That's down from a peak of 23,220 in 2020 Q3 — only 94% of the high-water mark, a loss of about 1,341 cars. Numbers have held broadly steady over recent years rather than falling away — often the mark of a model that owners deliberately preserve.
Survivors over time
How rare is it?
Common — still a familiar sight, with 21,879 on the road.
Rarer than 11% of the 2,429 UK car models we track.
Fuel breakdown
Trend
About the SL CLASS
The Mercedes-Benz SL-Class (marketed as Mercedes-AMG SL since 2022) is a grand touring sports car manufactured by Mercedes-Benz since 1954. The designation "SL" derives from the German term "Sport-Leicht", which translates to "Sport Light" in English. Initially, the first 300 SL was a racing sports car built in 1952 with no intention of developing a street version. In 1954, an American importer Max Hoffman suggested the street version of 300 SL for the wealthy performance car enthusiasts in the United States where the market for the personal luxury car was booming after the Second World War.
MERCEDES SL CLASS — questions & answers
How many MERCEDES SL CLASS are left in the UK?
As of 2026 Q1, 21,879 MERCEDES SL CLASS were still registered in the UK — 14,100 licensed and on the road, plus 7,779 declared SORN (off-road). The figures come from official DVLA vehicle licensing data.
Is the MERCEDES SL CLASS rare?
The MERCEDES SL CLASS is common, with 21,879 still on the road, making it rarer than 11% of the 2,429 UK car models we track.
Is the MERCEDES SL CLASS increasing or decreasing?
Over the last year the number of MERCEDES SL CLASS on UK roads fell by 61 (0.3%).
What fuel do most MERCEDES SL CLASS use?
Most MERCEDES SL CLASS run on petrol — about 100% of those still registered, with the rest split across diesel.
When did the MERCEDES SL CLASS peak?
The MERCEDES SL CLASS peaked at 23,220 registered in 2020 Q3, and was first recorded in the data in 2014 Q3.