How many Mercedes-Benz 280 are left in New Zealand?
Scarce 1 in 13,872 on the road Built 1966-1997 Sold new in New Zealand
Updated from the NZTA Motor Vehicle Register, counted as at 31 August 2026. Recounted every month.
For thirty years the 2.8-litre six was the heart of the Mercedes range, fitted to S-Class saloons, the Stroke Eight and W123, coupes and SL roadsters alike. From 1972 it was a twin-cam engine, unusual for a luxury saloon then. The number came back in the 1990s on six-cylinder versions of the C and E-Class.
Still on the road, by model year
The most are from 1985: 27 still registered. Every year is listed under the chart.
Every model year
| Model year | Still registered |
|---|---|
| 1966 | 1 |
| 1968 | 13 |
| 1969 | 25 |
| 1970 | 20 |
| 1971 | 24 |
| 1972 | 20 |
| 1973 | 14 |
| 1974 | 23 |
| 1975 | 16 |
| 1976 | 15 |
| 1977 | 10 |
| 1978 | 12 |
| 1979 | 18 |
| 1980 | 10 |
| 1981 | 10 |
| 1982 | 11 |
| 1983 | 14 |
| 1984 | 21 |
| 1985 | 27 |
| 1986 | 3 |
| 1987 | 1 |
| 1988 | 1 |
| 1990 | 1 |
| 1993 | 8 |
| 1994 | 6 |
| 1995 | 6 |
| 1996 | 2 |
| 1997 | 3 |
By badge
The versions the register records, most numerous first.
| Which one | Built | Left | Grade |
|---|---|---|---|
| 280 SE | 152 | Rare | |
| 280 SL | 47 | Rare | |
| 280 GE | 6 | Rare |
What Scarce means
Spotto grades every car by how many are still registered in New Zealand. With 337 still registered, the Mercedes-Benz 280 is Scarce: the grade for cars with 175 to 1,199 left.
By how many are left it ranks 29th of the 102 Mercedes-Benz models and equal 701st of all 2,903 cars in Spotto's catalogue.
The six grades: Common, 8,000 or more · Uncommon, 1,200 to 7,999 · Scarce, 175 to 1,199 · Rare, 25 to 174 · Super rare, 5 to 24 · Unicorn, fewer than 5.
Seen one?
Spotto grades every car on New Zealand roads by how many are still registered, down to the generation and the badge. Log the ones you spot, build a collection, and see who else has found one.