Mercedes-Benz G-Wagen 300GDS

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Adored and ignored in equal measure, the G-Wagen is one of those vehicles that seem to polarise opinions. Ugly, boxy and crude to some, it is the finest, most capable and best engineered 4x4 of all time to others.

However the facts speak for themselves: despite having a cripplingly high price tag right from its launch in 1979, the G-Wagen has won such a loyal fan base that it remains in production to this day, making it the longest running model in Mercedes history.

Available with a range of engines from a 2-litre petrol to a 3-litre diesel in both long and short wheelbase formats, its trump card was a set of three fully locking differentials, controlled by a profusion of knobs and levers, that gave it the ability to cross even the worst terrain that Planet Earth could throw at it.

Considered essential equipment by the German military and emergency services (not to mention the Russian mafia, who like theirs bullet-proof), it also proved an irresistible security blanket to middle class parents terrified that young Wolfgang might not make it to school on time.

First registered in October 1992, this particular example is a top spec 300GDS in desirable 5-speed manual, short wheelbase, straight-six diesel form. Looking suitably mafia in Obsidian Black Metallic with blacked out windows, it also has a new grey leather interior, new alloy wheels with new Michelin Latitude tyres, LED rear lights plus various other individual touches.

Said to be in excellent throughout and to drive well with an MOT until March 2016, we are advised that the only known fault is the speedo which is not working correctly and no longer records the mileage. However, as any G-Wagen fan will tell you, mileage is irrelevant with these tanks and they just keep on keeping on until everything around them has died or fallen to bits and then they just keep on going some more.

If they can take anything that the Albanian, Egyptian, Mexican and Mongolian armed forces can throw at them (to name but a few), they can certainly shrug off any puny tasks that you might have in mind. Just ask President Putin’s bodyguards what they think of theirs. On second thoughts…

AMENDMENT: We are advised by the vendor that 2nd gear synchromesh is poor.