Looking for the perfect blend of classic Mercedes style and everyday usability? Available as a saloon/sedan, estate/wagon or coupe, the W123 can make a great choice, if you know what to look out for.

Julian Parish hails from the south of England, but has now lived and worked in France for many years. After a career in publishing and international software development, Julian now contributes regularly to magazines including Classic & Sports Car, and translates motoring content from French and German into English. He has both written and translated several of Veloce's Essential Buyer's Guides, mainly concentrating on the Mercedes-Benz marque, for which he has a particular passion. He has also written the popular travel guides France: The Essential Guide for Car Enthusiasts and The Essential Guide to Driving in Europe, also published by Veloce. Julian is a member of the Guild of Motoring Writers.