Sold $61,500
1989 · Desert Taupe (441) · 41,000 mi
Jun 2, 2026 · Bring a Trailer
Mercedes-Benz S-Class
1981 to 1991 · Sedan
Free to follow · no card needed · Also on iPhone
Shifty Estimate
$5,500
Low confidence · $4K to $7K
Up 24.7% over 12 months
- Median · 12 mo
- $12,000
- Sales · 12 mo
- 80
The market
Every recorded 1981 Mercedes-Benz S-Class sale, by date and price
Jun 2026 · Bring a Trailer
$5,450 · 136,000 mi · Walnut Brown
● Sold● Bid to, not sold
4 sales · 1 unsoldmedian $12kupdated Jun 2026
Latest results
The newest 1981 Mercedes-Benz S-Class sales with photographs
Sold $4,900
1985 · Smoke Silver Metallic (702) · 119,000 mi
May 31, 2026 · Bring a Trailer
Sold $8,000
1987 · Champagne · 104,000 mi
May 28, 2026 · Bring a Trailer
Specifications
- Engine
- Inline-6, 2.8L
- Power
- 156 hp
- Torque
- 162 lb-ft
- 0 to 60
- 10.5 s
- Top speed
- 118 mph
- Transmission
- Automatic
- Drivetrain
- RWD
Common questions
How much does a Mercedes-Benz S-Class cost?
Over the past 12 months, 80 have sold publicly at a median of $12,000. The Shifty Estimate for a well-kept example is $5,500. Cars have changed hands anywhere from $4,125 to $6,875, depending on mileage, color, and history.
What is a 1981 Mercedes-Benz S-Class worth today?
The Shifty Estimate is $5,500, up 24.7% over the past 12 months. That sits below the $12,000 median of actual sales because the estimate weights the most recent results most heavily, and recent sales have come in under the longer-run median. We rate confidence low: 80 public sales in a year is not enough to be firm, and the honest range is wide. Treat it as a starting point, not a valuation.
What has a Mercedes-Benz S-Class sold for at auction?
The 3 most recent public sales we have on file:
- $5,450Jun 3, 2026Walnut Brown · 136,000 mi
- $61,500Jun 2, 2026Desert Taupe (441) · 41,000 mi
- $4,900May 31, 2026Smoke Silver Metallic (702) · 119,000 mi
About the 1981 Mercedes-Benz S-Class
The W126 S-Class represents Mercedes-Benz at its absolute peak during the 1980s, when the three-pointed star meant uncompromising luxury and engineering excellence. This generation introduced revolutionary safety features like airbags and ABS while maintaining the brand's legendary build quality that made these cars virtually indestructible. The range spanned from the elegant 280S to the flagship 560SEL, with the latter's 5.6-liter V8 producing 238hp and effortless autobahn cruising capability. Over its decade-long run, the W126 became the definitive executive sedan, favored by heads of state and captains of industry worldwide. Today's collectors prize well-maintained examples, particularly the V8 models and rare AMG variants. Clean, low-mileage W126s have steadily appreciated as enthusiasts recognize this as the last truly over-engineered Mercedes before cost-cutting compromised the brand's reputation for bulletproof reliability.
More Mercedes-Benz in the market
Sales and listings
Showing 5 of 5 on file
1980 · Walnut Brown · 136,000 mi
Bring a Trailer
$5,450
Jun 3, 2026
1989 · Desert Taupe (441) · 41,000 mi
Bring a Trailer
$61,500
Jun 2, 2026
1985 · Smoke Silver Metallic (702) · 119,000 mi
Bring a Trailer
$4,900
May 31, 2026
1987 · Champagne · 104,000 mi
Bring a Trailer
$8,000
May 28, 2026
1986 · Smoke Silver Metallic (702) · 15,000 mi
Bring a Trailer
Bid to $32,333
May 23, 2026