Mercedes Benz SL

420 registered in New Zealand · 1964–2023 · 99% from Germany

The Mercedes Benz SL is a recognisable name on New Zealand roads, with 420 registered across model years 1964 to 2023. It averages 11.5 L/100km in fuel consumption and produces an average of 256 kW. Most are petrol-powered sports cars with a 5.0L engine.

Below you'll find a complete breakdown of fuel types, body styles, drivetrain options, regional distribution, and estimated running costs. Select a specific model year to see detailed specs, buyer insights, and variant-level data for that generation of the SL.

Select Year

420 On NZ Roads
5.0L Engine
11.5 L/100km
256 kW

Fuel Types

Mercedes Benz SL fuel type breakdown: PETROL 100%, PETROL HYBRID 0%.

Fleet Age Profile

How many Mercedes Benz SL vehicles from each manufacture year are still registered in NZ. Taller bars mean more of that year on the road — better parts availability and more mechanics who know it.

Mercedes Benz SL fleet age profile: 2006: 17, 2007: 12, 2008: 13, 2009: 10, 2013: 12.

Drivetrain

Transmission

Mercedes Benz SL transmissions: 5-GEAR AUTO 40%, 7-GEAR AUTO 13%, 4-GEAR AUTO 12%.

Engine Size

Mercedes Benz SL engine sizes: 5.0L 16%, 3.7L 15%, 5.4L 9%, 5.0L 8%, 5.5L 6%.

Imported From

Mercedes Benz SL imported from: Germany 99%, Japan 0%, Not Known 0%, United States 0%.

When They Arrived in NZ

When Mercedes Benz SL vehicles were first registered in New Zealand — showing import waves and buying trends.

Mercedes Benz SL NZ arrival timeline: 2020: 4, 2021: 2, 2023: 1, 2024: 1, 2026: 1.

Estimated Running Costs

Select a model year to estimate fuel costs for that specific Mercedes Benz SL.

per week
per year
per km
km/year
1,000 km 50,000 km
Fuel price
Fuel economy
Fuel type
Prices updated

Colours

SILVER 169 (40%)
BLACK 133 (32%)
BLUE 39 (9%)
WHITE 26 (6%)
RED 23 (5%)
GREY 14 (3%)
GREEN 9 (2%)
BROWN 3 (1%)

Colours shown are approximate representations of NZTA basic colour categories, not exact manufacturer paint codes.

Where They Are in NZ

Mercedes Benz SL regional distribution: AUCKLAND: 140, CHRISTCHURCH: 60, HAMILTON: 14, QUEENSTOWN-LAKES: 12, TAURANGA: 12.

Body Types

Similar Cars

1 Ford logo
Ford Mustang 6,166
1964–2026 12.8 L/100km
2 Toyota logo
Toyota 86 2,494
2012–2025
3 Porsche logo
Porsche 911 2,153
1965–2026
4 Nissan logo
Nissan Fairlady 2,110
1972–2021
5 Chevrolet logo
Chevrolet Corvette 2,099
1957–2026

Frequently Asked Questions

How many Mercedes Benz SL are there in New Zealand?

There are 420 Mercedes Benz SL vehicles registered in New Zealand as of March 2026, making up 0% of the total passenger fleet. Model years range from 1964 to 2023.

How much does it cost to run a Mercedes Benz SL?

Based on NZTA fuel economy data, the Mercedes Benz SL averages 11.5 L/100km. At current fuel prices ($3.41/L), that works out to roughly $91 per week or $4,706 per year in fuel, assuming 12,000 km of annual driving. Actual costs vary by model year, driving conditions, and fuel type.

What body type is the Mercedes Benz SL?

The Mercedes Benz SL is primarily classified as a sports car in the NZTA fleet register. It is also available in other body configurations: convertible, saloon. The most common fuel type is petrol.

Are Mercedes Benz SL cars imported or NZ-new?

99% of Mercedes Benz SL vehicles in New Zealand originated from Germany. The majority arrived as used imports, which is typical for this model. Check the import status and origin country for the specific year you're considering on the individual year pages.