Mercedes-Benz S-Class
Sold prices, market value and cars for sale
As of October 21, 2026, Shifty has recorded 70 public sales of the Mercedes-Benz S-Class. The records run from November 2022 to October 2026. In the past 12 months, 31 sold at a median of $63,500. The Shifty Estimate runs from $5,500 for the W126 S-Class to $87,900 for the W222 Cabriolet.
Generations
Versions
About the Mercedes-Benz S-Class
- Built
- 1972 onward
- Versions
- 7
- Body styles
- Sedan, Convertible, Coupe
- Power
- 156 to 496 hp
- 0 to 60
- 4.4 to 10.5 s
- Top speed
- 118 to 155 mph
The name Mercedes-Benz S-Class was officially used for the first time in 1972. It applied to the 116 series, presented in September 1972. The 116 series replaced the 108/109 series. It began with the 280 S, 280 SE and 350 SE. A 4.5-liter V8 followed six months later. The 450 SEL 6.9 arrived in May 1975 with a 6.9-liter V8 making 286 hp. It had the first hydropneumatic suspension in a Mercedes-Benz. The 300 SD of May 1978 was the first diesel in this class. It was sold only in the USA and Canada. Antilock brakes developed with Bosch were available from the fall of 1978. Production of the 116 series totaled 473,035 cars from 1972 to 1980.
The W 126 ran from 1979. Production reached 818,036 sedans plus 74,060 coupes. It offered a driver airbag from 1981. The W 140 arrived in 1991 with a 6.0-liter V12. It was the first Mercedes-Benz with a production 12-cylinder engine. The W 140 stayed in production for 8 years. The W 220 S 55 AMG used a supercharged 5.4-liter V8 with 500 hp. The W 221 followed in 2005, and the W 222 in 2013.
The W 223 was unveiled in September 2020. A revised W 223 was unveiled in January 2026. Mercedes-Benz still builds the S-Class.
Sources: Mercedes-Benz Classic: 116 series S-Class saloons, 1972 to 1980, Daimler via German Car Forum: the 116 series at 50 years, The Jalopy: the Mercedes-Benz S-Class through the generations, Autocar India: history of the Mercedes-Benz S-Class, Car India: 2026 Mercedes-Benz S-Class unveiled
The market
Recent sales
Common questions
How much does a Mercedes-Benz S-Class cost?
In the past 12 months, 31 sold at a median of $63,500. Half of the 20 most recent sales landed between $13,500 and $80,000. The Shifty Estimate runs from $5,500 to $87,900, depending on version.
What is a Mercedes-Benz S-Class worth today?
The Shifty Estimate depends on the version. Each describes a well-kept example. W222 Cabriolet: $87,900. W222 S580: $65,800. W140 Coupe: $21,600. W116 S-Class: $21,100. W221 S-Class: $19,400. 1 more version is in the table below.
What is the cheapest S-Class to buy?
The W126 S-Class has the lowest Shifty Estimate, at $5,500. In the past 12 months, 4 sold at a median of $6,725.
Which S-Class is worth the most?
The W222 Cabriolet has the highest Shifty Estimate, at $87,900. In the past 12 months, 15 sold at a median of $80,550.
How many Mercedes-Benz S-Classes have sold?
Shifty has recorded 70 public sales since November 2022. 31 came in the past 12 months. The most recent sold for $139,000 on Oct 12, 2026.
What generations of the Mercedes-Benz S-Class are there?
Shifty tracks 7 generations of the Mercedes-Benz S-Class. In order: W116 (1972 to 1980), W126 (1981 to 1991), W140 (1992 to 1999), W220 (1999 to 2006), W221 (2007 to 2013), W222 (2014 to 2020) and W223 (from 2021). The busiest is the W222, with 19 sales in the past 12 months. The W222 has the highest 12-month median, at $76,500.
Which S-Class sells most often?
The W222 Cabriolet trades most often, with 39 recorded sales. 15 came in the past 12 months. More sales make its value the firmest to read.
Where do Mercedes-Benz S-Classes sell?
Of the last 20 sales with a known venue, 17 were at Bring a Trailer. The rest: Cars & Bids (3).
How many miles do Mercedes-Benz S-Classes have when they sell?
Across the last 20 sales with a recorded odometer, the median was 20,500 miles. The lowest showed 968 miles and the highest 136,000 miles.
Where do Shifty's Mercedes-Benz S-Class prices come from?
Every figure here comes from recorded public sales and live listings of the Mercedes-Benz S-Class. Each sale is filed by version and year. Shifty leaves out cars without a clean title, mismatched cars and implausible prices. The Shifty Estimate weights the most recent sales most heavily. These figures were read on October 21, 2026.