How many Mercedes-Benz 450SEL are left in New Zealand?
Super rare 1 in 333,919 on the road Built 1973-1980 Sold new in New Zealand
Updated from the NZTA Motor Vehicle Register, counted as at 31 August 2026. Recounted every month.
Long-wheelbase V8 version of the W116, the first Mercedes to be officially named S-Class when it appeared in 1972. With the 4.5-litre engine it was the standard limousine of the 1970s for governments and company chairmen. Late in its life the W116 became the first production car offered with electronic anti-lock brakes.
Still on the road, by model year
The most are from 1974: 3 still registered. Every year is listed under the chart.
Every model year
| Model year | Still registered |
|---|---|
| 1973 | 1 |
| 1974 | 3 |
| 1975 | 2 |
| 1977 | 1 |
| 1978 | 2 |
| 1979 | 2 |
| 1980 | 3 |
What Super rare means
Spotto grades every car by how many are still registered in New Zealand. With 14 still registered, the Mercedes-Benz 450SEL is Super rare: the grade for cars with 5 to 24 left.
By how many are left it ranks 80th of the 102 Mercedes-Benz models and equal 1,827th 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.