Ultra-luxury 1996 Mercedes-Benz S600 V12 sedan offered at no reserve

A 1996 Mercedes-Benz S600 sedan, built on the V140 chassis and showing 116,000 miles, is being offered at no reserve, meaning it will sell to the highest bidder regardless of price. The car is located in California and carries a clean Carfax report with no recorded accidents or reported damage. For enthusiasts of large German luxury saloons from the 1990s, it represents a well-documented example of the flagship model.

The car's most recent owner acquired it in 2026, and the title is held by that owner's LLC in Montana. Before that, the vehicle was registered in California and several other states. A previous owner was Tyler Hoover of Hoovie's Garage, whose work has been featured on YouTube, which adds a visible online history to the car. The seller reports that roughly 6,000 miles have been added under current ownership.

Under the bonnet sits a 6.0-litre V12 with a factory rating of 389 horsepower and 420 lb-ft of torque. Power travels through a five-speed automatic to the rear wheels. An oil change was carried out in 2026, and the seller points to a broad engine refresh in 2023 that covered gaskets, ignition, cooling and fuel components. The same year saw the transmission mount, driveshaft flex disc, centre support and a bearing replaced. A Lorinser rear muffler was added under a prior owner.

The car's emissions record is mixed. It failed smog tests in 2019, 2021 and 2023 before passing California smog in 2024. Those failures are a practical point for any buyer weighing the car's road-legal status in states with strict testing rules.

The chassis uses hydropneumatic rear suspension with self-levelling, alongside adaptive dampers and ASR traction control. The rear accumulator spheres and tie rods were replaced between 2023 and 2024. All four corners are fitted with ventilated rotors. The listing notes that a used brake pressure switch was reportedly installed under prior ownership. The car rides on 16-inch Alamak wheels wrapped in 235/60 Falken tyres.

Inside, the S600 is finished in black and grey Exclusive leather, with burl walnut trim, heated and power-adjustable front and rear seats, and a power sunroof. Equipment includes Bose audio, a Kenwood CD player, four-zone climate control and cruise control. Work completed in 2023 covered the heater valve, rear window regulator, air temperature sensor and driver's seat. The seller also notes some wear: cracked wood trim at the shifter base and bolster wear on the driver's seat.

The exterior is black, with matching lower cladding. There is some discolouration on the right front bumper, scuffing on the rear bumper and a ding in the trunk lid. The seller notes that paint and trim beyond the listed photographs have not been fully verified, and that the used instrument cluster and alternator fitted to the car have unclear origins. Prospective buyers will need to examine those points closely before bidding on a car offered without a reserve.

Source: bringatrailer.com

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Edward Beaumont

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Edward Beaumont covers public affairs, politics, business, culture and daily news for Nobel. The role focuses on verification, context, and clear explanations for readers.

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