The Mercedes-Benz 500 is a midsize car built from 1983 to 1993 over 3 generations. Engines offered: V8. Worth buying? It scores near the top of what we track at 4.5/5 — and the year you pick matters far more than the badge (best and worst years →).
What the 500 is
The Mercedes-Benz 500 is a midsize car that Mercedes-Benz built from 1983 to 1993 — 11 model years. Our measurements put it at 3 generations, the current one starting in 1993. It has been offered with V8 power. Its closest siblings in the Mercedes-Benz range: 350, B-Class, 420.
500 generations, and what changed
These boundaries are not copied from a brochure — they fall out of the measurements. Where the 500's length or wheelbase jumps between consecutive model years the platform changed: a facelift moves a bumper by centimetres, a new generation moves the whole car — for the 500 that gives 3 distinct generations below.
| Generation | Length | Wheelbase | Weight | vs previous | Weight change |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1983-1985 | 518 cm | 296 cm | 1728 kg | - | - |
| 1992 | 521 cm | 314 cm | 2240 kg | +3 cm | +512 kg |
| 1993 | 507 cm | 295 cm | 2170 kg | -14 cm | -70 kg |
Between 1983 and 1993 the 500 gained -11 cm in length (-2.1%) and 442 kg in weight (+25.6%). Cars did not so much grow as thicken — crash structures, airbags and equipment weigh more than the metal they replaced, and on the 500 that is 442 kg against -11 cm. Full dimensions by year →
Mercedes-Benz 500 tire size, oil type & owner specs
The fitment 500 owners look up most — tires, wheels, oil and batteries. Exact wheel and tire sizes decode from your VIN or the driver's door-jamb placard; the universal items are listed below.
Exact tire, wheel, oil grade, capacity and battery group are added per trim and model year — decode your VIN above for the factory fitment. Universal items shown as-is.
What engines does the Mercedes-Benz 500 have? Power & range
The Mercedes-Benz 500 is offered with 1 powertrain — 5L 8-cyl. Here's the lineup by engine, transmission and drivetrain — 1 for the Mercedes-Benz 500, against one or two on most rivals.
| Engine | Displacement | Transmission | Drive | Fuel |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| V8 | 5.0L · 8-cyl | Automatic 4-spd | RWD | Premium |
Horsepower, torque and fuel-tank size decode from your VIN — exact figures vary by engine and trim.
Source: EPA fueleconomy.gov (engines, drivetrain, range, charge time). Horsepower & torque from NHTSA vPIC on VIN decode.
The 500 by the numbers
What the federal and market records say about the Mercedes-Benz 500. Each line opens the full breakdown by year.
| Topic | 500 | Detail |
|---|---|---|
| Recalls | 8 campaigns | NHTSA, all years |
| Owner complaints | 1 filed | What breaks and when |
| Reliability | 4.5 / 5 | Best and worst years |
| Used value | 19 listings | What it sells for now |
Frequently asked questions
What kind of car is the Mercedes-Benz 500?
The 500 is a midsize car, built from 1983 to 1993 across 3 generations. Engines offered: V8.
How many generations does the 500 have?
3 by our measurements, the latest starting in 1993. We draw the boundaries where length or wheelbase jumps between model years — a facelift moves a bumper, a new generation moves the whole car.
What is the Mercedes-Benz 500 warranty?
New models carry 4 years / 50,000 miles basic cover and 4 years / 50,000 miles on the powertrain. Worth knowing: across our complaint records the typical car reaches the halfway point of its faults at five years, so most repairs land after the basic warranty ends.
Is the 500 reliable?
It scores 4.5/5 in our data. The honest answer depends on the year far more than the model — see the best and worst years, and when this car starts to break.
How do I check a specific 500?
This page describes the model; it cannot tell you whether that car has an open recall or a branded title. Run its VIN against the records — free, and matched to the exact production run.
More in Mercedes-Benz
| Model | Years | Recalls | Best MPG | ForCar score |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Mercedes-Benz G-Class | 1999–2026 | 75 | — | 3.5/5 |
| Mercedes-Benz Sprinter | 2010–2026 | 143 | — | 4.0/5 |
| Mercedes-Benz C-Class | 1994–2026 | 213 | — | 4.0/5 |
| Mercedes-Benz S-Class | 1994–2026 | 176 | — | 3.5/5 |
| Mercedes-Benz 300 | 1981–1993 | 11 | 26 mpg | 4.5/5 |
| Mercedes-Benz 350 | 1983–1991 | — | 21 mpg | 4.5/5 |
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