# Mercedes-Benz SLS AMG buying guide [Home](https://www.luxurycardeals.com/) › [Buying guides](https://www.luxurycardeals.com/guides) › Mercedes-Benz SLS AMG > Markdown copy of https://www.luxurycardeals.com/guides/mercedes-benz/sls-amg for AI agents and assistants. Link and cite that URL, not this one. Buying guide · 2011 to 2015 · Updated Oct 1, 2026 The SLS AMG is a good used buy if you find a 2013-2015 GT with its gearbox history documented; early cars and unrecorded crash repairs are where the money goes. **Median asking price: $359,538** (Across 23 live listings) - Asking prices: $133,081 to $2,502,182, middle half $238k to $416k - For sale: 23 - Lowest price: $133,081 - Model years: 2011 to 2015 - Versions for sale: 3 ## The SLS AMG as a used buy The Mercedes-Benz SLS AMG is the used buy where the dual-clutch gearbox history matters more than the badge. It was the first car AMG designed, engineered and built in-house from scratch, with an aluminium spaceframe, a front-mid 6.2-litre M159 V8 and a rear-mounted transaxle. This guide covers 2011 to 2015. The standard car makes 563 hp and 479 lb-ft through a seven-speed dual-clutch gearbox. It was unveiled at the 2009 Frankfurt Motor Show as a spiritual successor to the 1954 300 SL, so it has gullwing doors, and those doors are one of the things you check on a viewing. Two costs deserve attention before you fall for one. Gearbox clutch and replacement bills are large, and the aluminium structure makes crash repair expensive specialist work. Start with [used SLS AMGs for sale](https://www.luxurycardeals.com/used/mercedes-benz/sls-amg), check [the price guide](https://www.luxurycardeals.com/prices/mercedes-benz/sls-amg) and read the service history before the car. [Used Mercedes-Benz listings](https://www.luxurycardeals.com/used/mercedes-benz) help with comparison. ## SLS AMG years and versions The Roadster arrived in 2011 with conventional doors and a power fabric soft top that opens in 11 seconds at speeds of up to 31 mph. It weighs about 40 kg more than the coupe and has a reinforced chassis, with a reversing camera and Airscarf neck heating as standard. [Romans International](https://www.romansinternational.com/blog/mercedes-sls-amg-buyers-guide) and [Car Collector International](https://www.carcollectorinternational.com/research/buyers-guides/mercedes-benz/sls-amg) both see it as less collectible than the coupe, so choose one on condition. [RAC Drive](https://www.rac.co.uk/drive/car-reviews/mercedes-benz/sls-amg/sls-amg-roadster-0-0/) scored it 7.3/10 as a used car. Our pages cover [the Coupe](https://www.luxurycardeals.com/cars/mercedes-benz-sls-amg-base-coupe) and [the Convertible](https://www.luxurycardeals.com/cars/mercedes-benz-sls-amg-convertible) separately. The GT arrived in 2012 as coupe and roadster, with revised gearbox, suspension and damper tuning. Car Collector International and [CarsCounsel](https://carscounsel.com/mercedes-benz-sls-amg-best-worst-years/) both call it the better-developed standard car, with sharper shift programming, revised dampers and more power. CarsCounsel names the 2013-2015 GT models as the best years and says to approach 2011-2012 cars carefully. See [the GT Coupe](https://www.luxurycardeals.com/cars/mercedes-benz-sls-amg-gt-coupe) for what is listed. The Black Series (see [the cheapest cars listed](https://www.luxurycardeals.com/cheapest/mercedes-benz/sls-amg)) came in late 2013 with 622 hp and 468 lb-ft, an 8,000 rpm redline, a titanium exhaust, carbon-ceramic brakes and a fixed rear wing. It weighs 1,550 kg (3,417 lb) and does 0-60 mph in 3.5 s. Car Collector International and CarsCounsel call it a blue-chip collector halo that needs careful inspection for track abuse. Sports bucket seats make a car harder to sell, according to Romans International, and suit the Black Series best. The GT Final Edition was a 2014 run-out limited to 350 units, with a carbon bonnet, splitter and Black Series-style fixed rear wing. The Electric Drive, with four motors and about 740 hp, sold in fewer than 100 units. Romans International says the 'SLS Studio Performance Editions' are not a factory special edition and add no value. It adds that carbon trim and ceramic brakes are options that help a car sell. ## SLS AMG versions for sale now Every version in our latest scan, most listed first. Each links to its own page with deal analysis and market history. | Version | Model years | For sale | Median price | | --- | --- | --- | --- | | [SLS AMG Coupe](https://www.luxurycardeals.com/cars/mercedes-benz-sls-amg-base-coupe) | 2011-2012 | 13 | $371,023 | | [SLS AMG Convertible](https://www.luxurycardeals.com/cars/mercedes-benz-sls-amg-convertible) | 2012 | 6 | $145,183 | | [SLS AMG GT Coupe](https://www.luxurycardeals.com/cars/mercedes-benz-sls-amg-gt-coupe) | 2014 | 4 | $2,040,199 | ## Common SLS AMG problems The gearbox is the big one; the rest is mostly ageing and wear. ### Early dual-clutch shifts Many 2011-2012 cars shift slowly and laggily at low speed. A free software update was later offered, so ask whether it has been done. ### Gearbox shudder and clutch wear The Getrag dual-clutch unit can shudder or judder at low speed from around 50,000 km, per [What Breaks](https://what-breaks.com/mercedes-benz/sls-amg-c197), and spirited use wears the clutches faster. The same source puts clutch replacement at $5,500 to $8,800. ### Gearbox replacement A whole gearbox is a far larger bill. One source quotes over 12,000 EUR and another says it can exceed $30,000, so the sources disagree widely. ### Camshaft and lifter wear CarsCounsel reports camshaft and lifter wear on some high-mileage cars that had stretched oil change intervals. Camshaft adjusters can also rattle on a cold start, and What Breaks gives $1,800 to $4,000 for that repair. ### Gullwing door struts Door gas struts and hinges weaken with age, so the doors open sluggishly or drop down. Test both doors several times. ### Electrical faults [Exotic Car Hacks](https://www.exoticcarhacks.com/buyers-guides/mercedes-benz-sls-amg-buyers-guide/) lists seat occupancy detection faults and infotainment gremlins as reported problems. One Roadster at Romans International had leaks from sealing issues, and a couple of cars needed radiators or engine wiring repairs. ## What to check on a used SLS AMG Paperwork and the structure matter more than cosmetics here. - Ask for the date of the last dual-clutch fluid service and the record of any software update. - Listen for clunks from the propshaft and driveshaft at low speed. - Test the gullwing doors repeatedly and ask when the pyrotechnic release was last serviced. - Look under the car for kerbing damage. - Check for accident repair, because aluminium spaceframe crash work is expensive and specialist. - Inspect carbon-ceramic brakes for impact damage or deep scoring. - Ask a specialist to read the ECU for signs of a tune. - Look at the alloys for kerb marks and the tires for uneven wear. - Insist on service records that are fully stamped. - Start the engine cold and listen for a rattle from the camshaft adjusters. - On a Roadster, check for leaks around the seals. ## SLS AMG running costs Car Collector International says to service the car every year regardless of mileage, with A services at £400-500 and B services under £1,000 (UK figures). What Breaks lists oil changes every 10,000 km with 10W-60, Service A every 15,000 km and Service B every 30,000 km. Exotic Car Hacks puts a steel brake set at about $400 for pads and up to $2,500 for rotors. For the clutch, camshaft adjuster and gearbox figures, see the faults above. Budget £800 to £1,500 for a pre-purchase inspection at an AMG specialist, and it is worth the money on a car like this. ## SLS AMG recalls and complaints NHTSA lists no recall campaigns for the SLS AMG for 2011 to 2015. Two guides say the Takata airbag inflator recall affects all model years, so still run the car's VIN through NHTSA's recall lookup before you buy. Owners have filed 15 complaints with NHTSA, 11 of them about air bags. None involved crashes, fires, injuries or deaths. These are reports, not proven faults. ## Owner complaints to NHTSA about the SLS AMG Owners filed 15 complaints with NHTSA for the 2011 to 2015 model years. A complaint is an owner's report, not a confirmed defect. A complaint can name more than one component. | Component | Complaints | | --- | --- | | Air bags | 11 | | Fuel/propulsion system | 2 | | Fuel system | 1 | | Gasoline | 1 | | Unknown or other | 1 | | Vehicle speed control | 1 | ## Best SLS AMG deals right now 5 deals priced below market right now, the best by about $61,305. Members get the VIN, dealer, listing link and a ready-to-send negotiation email for each one. - 2012 Mercedes-Benz SLS AMG, Convertible: asking $140,145 · $30k below market · 13,348 mi · Lewisville, TX · deal score 89 of 100 - 2011 Mercedes-Benz SLS AMG, Coupe: asking $359,538 · $61k below market · 3,427 mi · Fort Mitchell, KY · deal score 84 of 100 - 2011 Mercedes-Benz SLS AMG, Coupe: asking $314,985 · $51k below market · 7,032 mi · Murrieta, CA · deal score 84 of 100 - 2011 Mercedes-Benz SLS AMG, Coupe: asking $420,145 · $60k below market · 1,715 mi · Lewisville, TX · deal score 79 of 100 - 2012 Mercedes-Benz SLS AMG, Convertible: asking $150,353 · $18k below market · 13,501 mi · Joliet, IL · deal score 77 of 100 [Unlock all 5 deals](https://www.luxurycardeals.com/upgrade). Members see every deal's VIN, dealer and listing link, plus a negotiation email. ## SLS AMG prices by model year Median asking price for each model year in our latest scan, with the number of cars listed and their price range. - 2014: $2,040,199 (4 for sale · $1,600,223 to $2,502,182 · median 4,540 mi) - [2012](https://www.luxurycardeals.com/used/mercedes-benz/sls-amg/2012): $195,980 (11 for sale · $133,081 to $389,900 · median 17,692 mi) - [2011](https://www.luxurycardeals.com/used/mercedes-benz/sls-amg/2011): $378,307 (8 for sale · $280,080 to $548,973 · median 5,882 mi) [SLS AMG price guide](https://www.luxurycardeals.com/prices/mercedes-benz/sls-amg) ## SLS AMG fair values by trim and year Our fair value is what comparable cars, same trim and model year with typical miles, are listed at in our latest market data. A car well under it is worth a close look; a car well over it needs a reason. | Trim | Model year | Fair value | Typical miles | | --- | --- | --- | --- | | SLS AMG | 2012 | $369,588 | 14,200 | | SLS AMG | 2011 | $324,918 | 12,000 | | GT | 2014 | $1,056,774 | 8,100 | | GT | 2013 | $597,446 | 18,000 | ## SLS AMG for sale now - [2011 Mercedes-Benz SLS AMG, Coupe](https://www.luxurycardeals.com/cars/mercedes-benz-sls-amg-base-coupe): $355,125 · 6,995 mi · Plano, TX - [2012 Mercedes-Benz SLS AMG, Convertible](https://www.luxurycardeals.com/cars/mercedes-benz-sls-amg-convertible): $140,145 · 13,348 mi · Lewisville, TX - [2012 Mercedes-Benz SLS AMG, Coupe](https://www.luxurycardeals.com/cars/mercedes-benz-sls-amg-base-coupe): $345,145 · 14,252 mi · Lewisville, TX - [2012 Mercedes-Benz SLS AMG, Coupe](https://www.luxurycardeals.com/cars/mercedes-benz-sls-amg-base-coupe): $351,212 · 18,580 mi · Tampa, FL - [2011 Mercedes-Benz SLS AMG, Coupe](https://www.luxurycardeals.com/cars/mercedes-benz-sls-amg-base-coupe): $314,985 · 7,032 mi · Murrieta, CA - [2014 Mercedes-Benz SLS AMG, GT](https://www.luxurycardeals.com/cars/mercedes-benz-sls-amg-gt-coupe): $1,700,223 · 8,548 mi · Houston, TX - [2012 Mercedes-Benz SLS AMG, Convertible](https://www.luxurycardeals.com/cars/mercedes-benz-sls-amg-convertible): $150,220 · 27,106 mi · Houston, TX - [2011 Mercedes-Benz SLS AMG, Coupe](https://www.luxurycardeals.com/cars/mercedes-benz-sls-amg-base-coupe): $397,076 · 11,751 mi · Charlotte, NC - [2012 Mercedes-Benz SLS AMG, Convertible](https://www.luxurycardeals.com/cars/mercedes-benz-sls-amg-convertible): $137,145 · 27,121 mi · Lewisville, TX - [2012 Mercedes-Benz SLS AMG, Convertible](https://www.luxurycardeals.com/cars/mercedes-benz-sls-amg-convertible): $150,353 · 13,501 mi · Joliet, IL - [2011 Mercedes-Benz SLS AMG, Coupe](https://www.luxurycardeals.com/cars/mercedes-benz-sls-amg-base-coupe): $548,973 · 1,151 mi · San Luis Obispo, CA - [2012 Mercedes-Benz SLS AMG, Coupe](https://www.luxurycardeals.com/cars/mercedes-benz-sls-amg-base-coupe): $389,900 · 17,692 mi · Dallas, TX - [2011 Mercedes-Benz SLS AMG, Coupe](https://www.luxurycardeals.com/cars/mercedes-benz-sls-amg-base-coupe): $280,080 · 32,172 mi · Burbank, CA - [2012 Mercedes-Benz SLS AMG, Coupe](https://www.luxurycardeals.com/cars/mercedes-benz-sls-amg-base-coupe): $375,997 · 18,831 mi · Boca Raton, FL - [2011 Mercedes-Benz SLS AMG, Coupe](https://www.luxurycardeals.com/cars/mercedes-benz-sls-amg-base-coupe): $412,493 · 4,768 mi · Miami, FL - [2012 Mercedes-Benz SLS AMG, Convertible](https://www.luxurycardeals.com/cars/mercedes-benz-sls-amg-convertible): $133,081 · 32,164 mi · The Woodlands, TX - [2014 Mercedes-Benz SLS AMG, GT](https://www.luxurycardeals.com/cars/mercedes-benz-sls-amg-gt-coupe): $1,600,223 · 10,079 mi · Houston, TX - [2011 Mercedes-Benz SLS AMG, Coupe](https://www.luxurycardeals.com/cars/mercedes-benz-sls-amg-base-coupe): $359,538 · 3,427 mi · Fort Mitchell, KY - [2012 Mercedes-Benz SLS AMG, Convertible](https://www.luxurycardeals.com/cars/mercedes-benz-sls-amg-convertible): $195,980 · 11,695 mi · Rancho Mirage, CA - [2011 Mercedes-Benz SLS AMG, Coupe](https://www.luxurycardeals.com/cars/mercedes-benz-sls-amg-base-coupe): $420,145 · 1,715 mi · Lewisville, TX - [2014 Mercedes-Benz SLS AMG, GT](https://www.luxurycardeals.com/cars/mercedes-benz-sls-amg-gt-coupe): $2,502,182 · 156 mi · Boca Raton, FL - [2012 Mercedes-Benz SLS AMG, Coupe](https://www.luxurycardeals.com/cars/mercedes-benz-sls-amg-base-coupe): $371,023 · 15,667 mi · Las Vegas, NV - [2014 Mercedes-Benz SLS AMG, GT](https://www.luxurycardeals.com/cars/mercedes-benz-sls-amg-gt-coupe): $2,380,175 · 532 mi · Long Island City, NY [Every used SLS AMG](https://www.luxurycardeals.com/used/mercedes-benz/sls-amg) ## Our verdict Buy a 2013-2015 GT, coupe or roadster, with a documented gearbox service history and no structural repairs. Skip the 2011-2012 cars unless the software update is recorded and the price allows for clutch work. Take a Black Series only after a hard look for track use. Insist on a specialist inspection and full stamped service history. The M159 V8 is regarded as long-lived when maintained, so the gearbox and crash history decide whether a given car is a good one. ## Sources We read these pages and checked every fact in this guide against them. The words are ours. Researched Oct 31, 2026. - [Mercedes-Benz SLS AMG range, production and what to look for](https://www.carcollectorinternational.com/research/buyers-guides/mercedes-benz/sls-amg) (Car Collector International) - [Mercedes SLS AMG Buyers Guide, Blog](https://www.romansinternational.com/blog/mercedes-sls-amg-buyers-guide) (Romans International) - [Mercedes-Benz SLS AMG Buyers Guide](https://www.exoticcarhacks.com/buyers-guides/mercedes-benz-sls-amg-buyers-guide/) (Exotic Car Hacks) - [Mercedes-Benz SLS AMG C197 — All Engines, Problems & Buying Guide (2010–2015)](https://what-breaks.com/mercedes-benz/sls-amg-c197) (What Breaks) - [Best and Worst Mercedes-Benz SLS AMG Years: What to Buy & Avoid](https://carscounsel.com/mercedes-benz-sls-amg-best-worst-years/) (CarsCounsel) - [Mercedes-Benz SLS AMG Black Series](https://www.carcollectorinternational.com/research/buyers-guides/mercedes-benz/sls-amg-black-series) (Car Collector International) - [Mercedes-Benz SLS AMG Roadster (2011-2014) used car review](https://www.rac.co.uk/drive/car-reviews/mercedes-benz/sls-amg/sls-amg-roadster-0-0/) (RAC Drive) - [C197 - SLS AMG](https://www.mercedesdiagnostics.com/chassis/C197) (Mercedes Diagnostics) - [Recalls and owner complaints for the SLS AMG](https://www.nhtsa.gov/recalls) (NHTSA) ## Shop the SLS AMG - [Used Mercedes-Benz SLS AMG for sale](https://www.luxurycardeals.com/used/mercedes-benz/sls-amg) (23) - [Mercedes-Benz SLS AMG price guide](https://www.luxurycardeals.com/prices/mercedes-benz/sls-amg) - [Cheapest Mercedes-Benz SLS AMG for sale](https://www.luxurycardeals.com/cheapest/mercedes-benz/sls-amg) - [Used Mercedes-Benz for sale](https://www.luxurycardeals.com/used/mercedes-benz) (1,860) ## More Mercedes-Benz buying guides - [Mercedes-Benz G-Class (W463, 2002 to 2018) buying guide](https://www.luxurycardeals.com/guides/mercedes-benz/g-class-w463) (2002 to 2018) - [Mercedes-Benz G-Class (W463A, 2019 on) buying guide](https://www.luxurycardeals.com/guides/mercedes-benz/g-class-w463a) (2019 on) - [Mercedes-AMG GT (C190) buying guide](https://www.luxurycardeals.com/guides/mercedes-benz/amg-gt) (2016 to 2023) - [Mercedes-Benz S-Class (W223) buying guide](https://www.luxurycardeals.com/guides/mercedes-benz/s-class-w223) (2021 on) - [All buying guides](https://www.luxurycardeals.com/guides) ## Latest Mercedes-Benz SLS AMG news - [Used Mercedes-Benz market is dominated by the G-Class, 1,701 of 1,860 cars](https://www.luxurycardeals.com/news/mercedes-benz-market-report-october-2026) (Oct 31, 2026): The brand has 549 cars rated great or good deals, and the AMG GT is the one model where comparable asking prices rose in the window we measured. [All car news](https://www.luxurycardeals.com/news) ## SLS AMG: common questions ### What is the best SLS AMG to buy? A 2013-2015 GT is the best SLS AMG to buy, according to CarsCounsel. It has sharper shift programming, revised dampers and more power than the standard car. Choose a Roadster on condition, and the Black Series if you want a collector car and can verify it was not tracked. ### What goes wrong with the SLS AMG? The dual-clutch gearbox is the main concern, with slow shifts on 2011-2012 cars and shudder from around 50,000 km. Camshaft adjuster rattle, weak gullwing door struts and some electrical faults are also reported. Crash repair to the aluminium structure is expensive. ### Is the SLS AMG reliable? Mostly, with caveats. Sources regard the M159 V8 as long-lived when maintained, but the gearbox can be costly and early cars need care. Service history is the best guide to a good one. ### How much does it cost to run an SLS AMG? Servicing is annual, with A services at £400-500 and B services under £1,000 per Car Collector International. A dual-clutch clutch replacement runs $5,500 to $8,800 according to What Breaks. Gearbox replacement is far larger, with one source saying it can exceed $30,000. ### How much is a used SLS AMG? Asking prices for the 23 cars we track for sale right now run from $133,081 to $2,502,182, with a median of $359,538. Model year, version, mileage and history move the price most; the prices by model year and fair values on this page show where a car should sit. ### Has the SLS AMG been recalled? NHTSA lists no recall campaigns from the carmaker for the 2011 to 2015 model years as of Oct 31, 2026. Check the VIN of any car you're considering at nhtsa.gov/recalls before you buy. --- Source: Luxury Car Deals, https://www.luxurycardeals.com/. Prices are live asking prices from US dealer listings in our latest scan, not sale prices. Cite as "Mercedes-Benz SLS AMG buying guide", Luxury Car Deals, https://www.luxurycardeals.com/guides/mercedes-benz/sls-amg (updated Oct 1, 2026). Site map for assistants: https://www.luxurycardeals.com/llms.txt.