2013 Mercedes-Benz ML

Mercedes-Benz ML

Mercedes-Benz’s ML might be a memory now, but it’s the SUV that gave the BMW X5 and Porsche Cayenne a proper headache back in the day. These three MLs, all diesel automatics in 350 BlueTec and 250 BlueTec guise, are living proof that there’s still a sweet spot for premium badges if you skip the new car smell. Prices sit tight between R279,500 and R289,500 — not much wiggle room, but enough to get you seven speeds, proper towing chops, and that Stuttgart crest on the nose. For anyone who wants a bit of presence in the school pickup queue or needs space for a family trip down the N3, it’s what the ML should have been from the start: attainable, practical, and just plush enough. Two of the listings are 350 BlueTecs priced at R279,500 and R287,500, while the lone 250 BlueTec comes in a whisker higher at R289,500, which isn’t common, but private sellers do their own thing. These are 2013–2015 models, all hovering around the 159,000 km mark, so you’re not getting showroom mileage, but no one’s pretending otherwise. The ML has always been about a comfortable, quiet ride — the air suspension still trumps the X5’s stiffness, and you get a hefty boot that’ll swallow a month’s groceries or a few bikes if you pack smart. Materials inside have aged well, but don’t expect a digital playground: you’ll find buttons, dials, and a screen that’s more 2010s than 2020s, and that matters for some. Don’t hang about if you’re interested — these get snapped up quickly at this money.