The original SLK offers 355 litres of boot space, wide front footwells and plenty of elbow room. Long doors are always fun in car parks but it’s a relatively small car by modern standards. Inside you’ll find a good size of glovebox, storage nets behind the seats, and a centre cubby large enough to hold a phone. Cup holders are a rare option that positions the cups right over the gear selector and radio.

That clever folding roof eats into boot space considerably and there’s no easy way to get to items underneath it when folded, so this is not the car to get if you are looking at a lot of open-air touring. however it will cope well enough with a trip to the shops – in fact dare we suggest that’s what it was built for?

SLK safety

Euro NCAP ratings evolve with time, so they are not comparable with modern cars. When tested in 2002 the SLK achieved a four-star Euro NCAP rating, thanks to a strong bodyshell and four airbags. It was tested for frontal impact with the roof open.

As with all Mercedes-Benz models, it lacks deadlocks, which is a plus for safety and a minus for security. The central locking works from a pneumatic pump in the boot; if the doors do not unlock it may need new hoses.

An alarm and immobiliser are fitted as standard. Make sure the alarm works as many used cars have had the horn disconnected.