1989 Mercedes-Benz

• The photos show a 560SL, badged as such at the rear, even though the listing title does not state a model, so the paperwork should be checked against the car before paying.
• The pale sage paint is glossy and even, with aftermarket chrome wheel-arch trims fitted, so no repaint money is visible, though purists may budget to remove the arch trims.
• The brown leather seats and door panels look good, with wrinkling only at the tops of the door cards, so no retrim money is needed.
• The dash looks complete, the odometer reads 118,121 miles, and the centre wood is faded compared with the dash wood, so allow a small wood-refinish budget.
• The brown soft top is up in several photos and looks taut with a clear rear window, so no top replacement money is visible.
• The engine bay is dusty and grimy with a yellowed coolant tank, so budget for a deep clean and service items rather than judging it detailed.
• Rust and grime show at the driver's A-pillar seal and in the door jamb, so allow for seal and jamb treatment money before it spreads.
• Can't judge the underside — it is not shown in the sampled photos, so that rust check is still money to spend.

Money: At $33,200 this 560SL is cheaper than most in this batch and the paint, leather and top look sound for it — the 118,121 miles, dusty bay and A-pillar rust are priced in, with only the underside left to verify.