Second Hand Mercedes-Benz SL Bonnet Latch

The Mercedes-Benz SL has gone through several distinct generations — R107 (1971–1989), R129 (1989–2002), R230 (2001–2012), R231 (2012–2020), and R232 (2020–present) — and the bonnet latch is not interchangeable across these generations as the front-end structure differs significantly between them. Within a generation, the latch is generally shared across the range, but each generation had at least one facelift where front-end components including panels and latches may have been revised. If you are sourcing across a facelift boundary — for example the R230 was facelifted around 2008 — confirm with the breaker whether the latch from before or after that facelift matches your registration. Always quote your registration to the breaker so they can verify the exact part.

The R230 SL ran from 2001 to 2012 and received a notable facelift around 2008 that updated the front end including the bonnet, grille, and lights. Whether the bonnet latch itself changed at that facelift boundary is something you should confirm with the breaker against your registration rather than assume either way. If the breaker can check the part number against your VIN or reg, that is the safest route to getting the right latch.

Trim and engine level do not affect bonnet latch fitment on the Mercedes-Benz SL — the front-end structure and latch mechanism are shared across engine variants within the same generation. So an SL350 and SL500 from the same generation should use the same latch, and you do not need to seek out a latch specifically from a matching engine variant. Confirm the generation and facelift period match your car when speaking to the breaker.

AMG variants of the SL such as the SL63 share the same platform and front-end architecture as the standard SL within their generation, and the bonnet latch is not affected by trim or performance specification. You can reasonably source a latch from a standard SL of the same generation and facelift period. Confirm this with the breaker quoting your registration to be sure, as AMG models occasionally have unique front-end parts.

A 2014 SL is part of the R231 generation, which ran from 2012 to 2020, and any R231 SL bonnet latch from within that generation should be a strong candidate for fitment. The R231 did receive updates during its life, so if you are sourcing a latch from the earlier part of the R231 run, confirm with the breaker whether any revisions affect the latch for your specific registration. Providing your reg to the breaker is the most reliable way to ensure the part matches.

Yes, the Mercedes-Benz SL has a conventional front-hinged bonnet with a standard internal release and bonnet latch mechanism across all generations from the R107 through to the R232. The latch sits at the front of the bonnet and engages with a striker on the body, with a secondary safety catch as standard — the same setup found on most mainstream cars. Used latches are commonly available from breakers, and you should quote your generation and registration when requesting a quote to ensure you get the correct unit.