Used 2023 Mercedes-Benz SL-Class for Sale near California

How much does the 2023 Mercedes-Benz SL-Class cost?

Prices are up 3.00% year-over-year — a sign of continued demand for this model year.

There are 291 listings available, which gives you a modest amount of inventory to compare.

Is the 2023 Mercedes-Benz SL-Class a good car?

Yes — the 2023 Mercedes-Benz SL-Class earns a 5/5 user rating and a 7.33/10 expert rating. The standout strength is Safety at 10/10.

It comes across as a luxury grand tourer built to make a statement, with striking styling and premium interior materials that help it feel special from the moment you see and sit in it. The trade-offs are just as clear: the infotainment system is aggravating, fuel economy is poor, and cargo space is limited.

That mix makes the SL-Class best for you if you want a high-end convertible that prioritizes design, performance, and cabin ambiance over everyday convenience. 29.2% of listings are priced as good or great deals, so there is some room to shop selectively.

Is the 2023 Mercedes-Benz SL-Class reliable?

Owners rate it 5/5, a strong signal of long-term satisfaction.

The 2023 SL-Class is presented as a refined, high-end grand tourer with premium materials and a strong performance focus, which supports the idea that it is built to deliver a special ownership experience. Its available SL 43 uses a four-cylinder engine with an electric turbocharger, while the reviewed version is more powerful, and the car is described as fast and capable in more aggressive driving modes.

The performance notes also suggest it is engineered to handle serious driving without feeling fragile, and the cost-effectiveness discussion frames it as a more attainable way to access this kind of Mercedes flagship experience than before. For used buyers, the main long-term risk is that the car’s complexity and luxury features can make ownership less forgiving if you want low-stress, low-maintenance transportation.

What should I look for when buying a used 2023 Mercedes-Benz SL-Class?

Accident-free inventory is excellent at 93.8% — clean inventory, standard diligence applies.

You should still run a history report and prioritize a pre-purchase inspection, especially because this is a complex luxury convertible with a lot of technology and moving parts. Focus on overall condition, how the infotainment and touch controls behave, and whether the roof operation feels smooth and consistent.

Key things to evaluate:

• Trim level: The lineup includes the SL 43, SL 55, and SL 63, all in standard Touring trim. The SL 55 and SL 63 can also be had with Performance trim, which adds more aggressive hardware and a Race mode. The base setup already emphasizes luxury and style, while the higher trims add more capability and track-oriented equipment.
• Powertrain: The SL 43 uses a four-cylinder engine with an electric turbocharger, while the SL 55 uses a hand-built, twin-turbocharged 4.0-liter V8 with 469 horsepower and 516 pound-feet of torque. The V8 model is paired with a nine-speed automatic and all-wheel drive, and it is tuned for strong acceleration and confident high-speed cruising.
• Safety package: The standard safety equipment includes pop-up roll bars and Pre-Safe Sound, which emits pink noise before a collision to help protect hearing. A Driver Assistance Package adds 13 more systems, including adaptive cruise control with lane-centering assist, lane-change assist, active emergency stop assist, and active braking for intersections, cross-traffic, and sudden congestion situations.
• Infotainment: The cabin uses a 12.3-inch digital instrument display and an 11.9-inch portrait touchscreen with MBUX, wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, wireless smartphone charging, and a one-year Mercedes Me subscription. The system is feature-rich, but the touch-sensing controls and screen glare are worth evaluating carefully on a test drive.
• Fuel efficiency: The SL 55 averages 16 mpg in combined driving and returned 16.6 mpg on the testing loop.

Which 2023 Mercedes-Benz SL-Class trim should I buy?

The 2023 Mercedes-Benz SL-Class is offered in 5 trim levels: SL 43 Touring, SL 55 Touring, SL 55 Performance, SL 63 Touring, SL 63 Performance.

Here's the short version:

• SL 43 Touring: This is the entry point if you want the new SL’s styling, luxury cabin, and modern tech without stepping into the V8 models. It gives you the core grand-touring experience at the lowest starting point in the lineup.
• SL 55 Touring: This is the best-value choice if you want the strongest balance of performance and everyday usability. It brings the hand-built twin-turbo V8, all-wheel drive, and the core hardware that makes the SL feel genuinely quick and capable.
• SL 55 Performance: Choose this if you want the SL 55 with a more serious chassis and track-minded hardware. It adds an AMG Active Ride Control suspension, a front-axle lift system, an AMG limited-slip rear differential, yellow brake calipers, and Race mode.
• SL 63 Touring: This trim is for you if you want the most powerful standard V8 version in the lineup and are willing to pay for the extra performance and prestige.
• SL 63 Performance: This is the most aggressive version described here, adding the same performance-focused upgrades as the SL 55 Performance while pairing them with the top-end SL 63 powertrain.

The Driver Assistance Package is a worthwhile safety add-on if you want more advanced driver assistance features.

Is now a good time to buy a used 2023 Mercedes-Benz SL-Class?

Act selectively, because this is still a seller’s market even though there are some good opportunities if you shop carefully.

• Deal availability: 29.2% of listings are priced as good or great deals.
• Inventory: There are 291 listings available.
• Price trend: Prices are up 3.00% year-over-year.
• Clean inventory: 93.8% of listings are accident-free.

If you find a listing below $86,417, that's toward the low end of the year-round range and worth acting on quickly.

What is the 2023 Mercedes-Benz SL-Class's resale value?

The current average of $98,645 sits slightly above last year's $95,774.

That year-over-year increase suggests the market has remained willing to pay up for this model year. For a future seller, that kind of pricing momentum can help support stronger resale performance if the car stays in clean condition and remains well documented.

The SL-Class also benefits from a strong desirability profile as a luxury grand tourer with premium materials and standout styling. Vehicles with strong owner satisfaction ratings, like this model year's 5/5, tend to retain buyer demand, which supports resale value over time.

Is the 2023 Mercedes-Benz SL-Class safe?

The 2023 Mercedes-Benz SL-Class earns a 10/10 safety score from our experts.

It comes standard with pop-up roll bars and Pre-Safe Sound, which emits pink noise before a collision to help protect your hearing from the impact and airbag deployment. The standard setup also includes 10 airbags.

A Driver Assistance Package adds 13 additional safety and driver assistance systems, including adaptive cruise control with lane-centering assist, lane-change assist, active emergency stop assist, and active braking for intersections, cross-traffic, and sudden congestion situations. The lane-keeping system is described as decisive, and the package worked especially well in flatter light conditions.

One caveat is that the lane-keeping and lane-centering systems seemed less sure of themselves in late-afternoon sunlight, so you should test the assistance tech in conditions similar to how you plan to drive.

Should I buy a 2023 Mercedes-Benz SL-Class or consider a different year?

If you're weighing the 2023 against nearby model years, here's how to think about it:

Choose the 2023 if:

• 29.2% of listings are priced as good or great deals.
• Accident-free inventory is excellent at 93.8% — clean inventory, standard diligence applies.
• Price trend: Prices are up 3.00% year-over-year.
• Owners rate it 5/5 — a strong satisfaction signal.
• This year adds the more affordable SL 43, which broadens the lineup and makes the SL more accessible than before.

The bottom line: If you want the SL-Class with the broadest mix of style, performance, and relative value, the 2023 model is the one to target. If your priority is simply finding the lowest price, you can still shop nearby years, but the 2023 stands out because it adds a more attainable entry point while keeping the core luxury-grand-touring appeal intact.

These recommendations are based on CarGurus' proprietary market data from September 15, 2026, CarGurus experts' opinions, and generative AI.