Mercedes-Benz 508D
Totally sound NATO spec. chassis with original very thorough waxoyl type coating. Excellent OM314 3.9 litre engine – has never let us down. Both engine and running gear have a long life in front of them. There is just some rust to tidy up on bodywork in usual places (see pics), paint touching up and minor repairs.
Will be Tax/MOT/ULEZ/CAZ exempt as First registered August 1985. After 40 years designated a historic vehicle – see historic-vehicles/vehicles-exempt-from-vehicle-tax on gov website. Registered in UK as a motorhome. All documentation present. Taxation class PHGV.
First owner was Netherlands military (NATO ambulance), we bought from importer (Jacksons military surplus) at approx. 3500 km and has been used regularly since then.
4600 kilos GVM so C1 category on driving licence is required but can be downrated to 3500 (which we did at one point, it weighed in 3200).
Stainless steel exhaust.
Adjustable height tow pack.
External dims. : 5m long, 2.1 m wide (fits in a car parking space).
Rear doors have parliament hinges strut held at 90 degrees or catch locked at 270 degrees.
All door hinges have grease nipples.
5 very good tyres, Rear inner and spare not so good.
Regular (just before MOTs) changes of engine oil / oil filter / fuel filter / air filter oil and greased kingpins / propshafts).
Diff and gearbox oils renewed once.
Initial works: Replacement of hydraulic brake and clutch parts (new master / slave / wheel cylinders).
Further works: 2013, new front brake drums, 2018 alternator re-conditioned, 2021 latch system for passenger door replaced, 2025 new clutch slave cylinder.
Rear passenger side door, exterior latch disabled /blanked off. New seal was fitted – Door is weatherproof but does not close completely flush. The inside of this door has temporary silver insulation which covers some drilled holes in the inner panel as a result of blanking off the door in a conversion plan that later changed.
Some rust beginning to take on lower panels, doors and edge of windscreen.
Passenger door lock barrel sticky but works.
Slight leak to dash passenger side in heavy rain (clear of electrics) will need attention.
Small chips on windscreen (have been there for many years – no issue with MOT).
Dent on side panel under water filler cap.
Rear driver side indicator / brake lens / casing cracked, temporarily taped so will need replacing.
2 x belted seats.
2 sets of keys
All listed below in good working order and recently used.
ELECTRIC & SOLAR SYSTEM
24 v vehicle electrics, 24 v leisure electrics (2 x 12v starter batteries, 2 x 12v leisure batteries).
Leisure electrics not certified but all appliances fused and no issues over 15 years.
Sterling 24 v 30A B to B charger (seamlessly charges leisure batteries from engine without compromising starter batteries)
Sterling Mains charger(Pro ChargeD 24v 25A) (wired to charge starter batteries first).
Victron inverter (24v to 240v).
Original 24 – 12v dropper supply to internal lighting, AA battery charger and 12v lighter sockets.
Externally mounted 240v hook up socket.
SOLAR
2 x mono-crystalline 12v 175W panels
Tracer 2215BN MPPT Solar Charge Controller 24v /20 A
MT50
MPPT Remote display for Tracer
INTERIOR
Clean and dry. Basic conversion which we’ve changed over the years to adapt to family circunstances, so would probably benefit from a re-vamp.
Living area currently set up as small double bed / seating for diner.
Table on removable steel elbow support with adjustable positioning.
Mini heiki rooflight and Lewmar portlight in living area
KITCHEN AREA
Basic plumbing to kitchen area : external filler port to internal boxed in water tank with two feeds, currently one to a foot pedal pump to an interesting faucet! with a little stainless steel sink to external grey water holding tank.
Plenty of worktop and storage space.
Waeco RPD50 fridge freezer with automatic switching from 24v / 240v
HEATING: Webasto Airtop 2000ST D blown air diesel heater, plumbed into fuel feed from main vehicle tank. Adjustable variable division for heating cab and living area.
TOILET ROOM / STORAGE AREA
There is a rear toilet area separated by internal door and accessible from rear doors plus a large storage area on the other side.
Second feed still available from internal water tank and drainage to external tank (used to run to small sink (now removed).
Thetford 365 porta potti, used but clean and working – optional … : )
Fiamma rooflight.
Floor: linoleum tiles over wooden framework housing insulation over original floor.
Walls and ceiling: rockwool type insulation behind plastic inner shell (original ambulance conversion).
Silver screen window coverings: side windows velcro fixing, front screens held in place by sun visors
Internal height 1.87 to ceiling, 1.78 to ceiling mounted handrail.
User manuals for all equipment we have installed
Majority of parts still available from UK Mercedes, also there are a couple of active and dedicated support groups on Facebook.
Further questions and inspection welcome. Please bring proof of insurance if you want to test drive.
The contact details for this vehicle are no longer available because it has either sold or the listing has expired.
Insurance options are available through our partner, Ripe Insurance.
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