by A practically new Mercedes SUV failed to get close to its starting price at auction, falling short by almost $20,000.
Bidding for the black GLS450 in the AMG Line trim stopped at $77,200 this week.
Had the car sold for that amount, every kilometer it had traveled would have cost its former owner $1,500.
New cars quickly lose value during their first year of operation, but the biggest drop occurs even before they drive their first kilometer. The car’s value decreases the moment the paperwork is signed for the new owner, as this case with the Mercedes SUV has proven.
A review of the 2025 model, recently listed on his online auction Cars & Bids, appeared on Doug DeMuro’s YouTube channel. However, buyers were not interested in the offer, and the maximum bid was only $77,178—$20,767 less than the starting price of $97,945. The deal did not go through due to the presence of a reserve price.
The low demand is definitely not related to mileage—since its purchase in January of this year, the SUV has traveled only 23 km, which is perfectly normal for a new car.
The car’s condition is perfect, as it has hardly been used. The GLS 450 is equipped with a 3.0-liter turbocharged inline-six engine with a 48-volt mild-hybrid system, producing 375 hp and 500 Nm of torque. Acceleration from 0 to 100 km/h takes 5.8 seconds—a decent figure for a large SUV with a base engine.
Photo Cars & Bids
Although this model has a standard engine, its equipment is far from basic. The price of a GLS 450 without additional options is $90,350, but this particular example received the AMG Line package for $3,250, the Night Package for $400, a heads-up display for $1,100, and 22-inch AMG wheels for $1,350, bringing the total to $97,945.
Representatives of Cars & Bids are trying to negotiate between the seller and the highest bidder. If a deal happens close to the maximum bid of $77,718, the new owner will get a practically new Mercedes for a price 20% lower than the showroom price.
However, the buyer should not expect too much of a bargain—Mercedes will soon introduce an updated version of the model with star-shaped daytime running lights and a full-width instrument panel, which could have been one of the reasons for the weak demand for this particular example.
