How many Mercedes-Benz 300s are left in New Zealand?
Scarce 1 in 15,955 on the road Built 1953-2010 European
Updated from the NZTA Motor Vehicle Register, counted as at 31 August 2026. Recounted every month.
Launched in 1951, the first 300 was West Germany's grandest post-war car: a big six-cylinder limousine nicknamed the Adenauer after the chancellor who was driven in one. Its engine also went into the 300SL. The number has been used many times since on 3.0-litre Mercedes saloons, coupes and diesels.
Still on the road, by model year
The most are from 1991: 45 still registered. Every year is listed under the chart.
Every model year
| Model year | Still registered |
|---|---|
| 1953 | 1 |
| 1954 | 3 |
| 1955 | 3 |
| 1956 | 1 |
| 1957 | 2 |
| 1969 | 1 |
| 1970 | 1 |
| 1971 | 5 |
| 1972 | 2 |
| 1974 | 1 |
| 1978 | 3 |
| 1980 | 4 |
| 1982 | 1 |
| 1983 | 2 |
| 1985 | 3 |
| 1986 | 6 |
| 1987 | 15 |
| 1988 | 40 |
| 1989 | 40 |
| 1990 | 36 |
| 1991 | 45 |
| 1992 | 38 |
| 1993 | 28 |
| 1994 | 3 |
| 1998 | 2 |
| 1999 | 1 |
| 2007 | 3 |
| 2008 | 2 |
| 2010 | 1 |
By badge
The versions the register records, most numerous first.
| Which one | Built | Left | Grade |
|---|---|---|---|
| SL | 51 | Rare | |
| SE | 49 | Rare | |
| SEL | 40 | Rare | |
| 300 CE | 18 | Rare | |
| 300 TD | 10 | Rare | |
| 300 TE | 9 | Rare |
What Scarce means
Spotto grades every car by how many are still registered in New Zealand. With 293 still registered, the Mercedes-Benz 300 is Scarce: the grade for cars with 175 to 1,199 left.
By how many are left it ranks 30th of the 102 Mercedes-Benz models and equal 736th 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.