Young mechanic, 26, crashes £700,000 Mercedes on a test drive

A young mechanic had some serious explaining to do today after crashing this £700,000 Mercedes on a test drive.

The 26-year-old was driving the classic Mercedes 300 SL Gullwing when he lost control of the 1956 sports car.

He managed to roll the desirable Mercedes and caused serious damage following the incident in Pleidelsheim, Germany.

Both the red-faced driver and his teenage passenger emerged from the car unscathed.

However, the car –  which has one of the world’s best-known and sought-after design – faired less well and will now need to undergo an extensive restoration.

Mercedes launched the 300 SL in 1954 with the German sports car adopting the ‘Gullwing’ nickname because of its unconventional doors.

With a 3-litre engine developing 215bhp, the Gullwing is capable of 0-60mph in 8.8 seconds an a top speed of 156mph – making it the world’s fastest car when it was launched in the 1950s.

It was shortlisted as of the top cars of the 20th century with models regularly selling for between £600,000 and £750,000 at auctions.

A police statement said speed was “probably” the cause of the accident, adding: “The vehicle overturned and was totally damaged.”