2014 MERCEDES-BENZ VIANO BY CARISMA DESIGN

This Mercedes-Benz Viano is a luxuriously specified and custom-built tourer, ideal for ferrying passengers in comfort and style. It is presented in very good order throughout, with the vendor saying it barely looks like it has covered one quarter of the stated mileage. Under the bonnet is a 3.0-litre turbocharged V6 diesel engine producing 221bhp, mated to a five-speed automatic gearbox.

First registered on 30 June 2014, this original, UK-market Viano has two previous owners on the log book, with the third keeper having acquired it in August 2018. It is offered for sale by the trade. This Viano has been the subject of a VIP luxury conversion by Carisma Auto Design, with the total build and fit-out cost coming to some £90,000.

Finished in Obsidian Black metallic paintwork, the Mercedes cuts a discreet figure, with privacy glass also fitted and in good order. In June 2020, Auto Renew Ltd in Liverpool carried out resprays to the front wings, front bumper, offside door and bonnet, followed by a full machine polish. It now shows only some small stone chips to the front end and lower panels of the front doors.

The only external giveaway to the bespoke nature of this Viano is the KWH communications pod mounted on the roof. It retains its five-spoke anthracite alloy wheels, which were fully refurbished at Auto Renew when the body paintwork was attended to. The centre caps were also replaced, and the brake callipers repainted in red.

Inside, the Viano is packed with convenience features and luxury touches. Diamond-stitched black and brown Connolly leather is used in both the passenger area and front cabin, with the four luxury recliner seats presenting in very good condition. There are a few marks on the leather in places, shown in the photo gallery, but overall this is a very smartly presented cabin that belies the mileage on the odometer. Burr walnut panels on the cabinets give the passenger compartment a sophisticated ambience, accented by metal trims in some of the key contact areas. It is not just the passengers who get the experience the extra comfort though, as the driver’s compartment has also been fully re-trimmed in the same luxurious finishes.

With seating for four in total comfort, there is a three-pin power socket for laptops and other electronics, and stowaway side tables to turn the Viano into a versatile mobile office. It is also equipped with an Apple Mac Mini and a wireless keyboard. When it’s time to relax, the front-facing heated rear seats feature electric adjustment with a tilt and recline function. There are also various storage areas and a refrigerator compartment, while its roof lining is finished in quilted leather with adjustable lighting.

Fold-out desktops allow for busy executives to work as they travel, while for those looking to relax, an integrated PlayStation 4 and Sky box is also included. Sonos connectivity also augments the Mercedes-fitted Bang & Olufsen speaker system. The carpet-lined boot also provides storage space for luggage, and is in good condition with a supplementary 12-volt socket installed. There are no known faults with any of the interior electrics.

The vendor notes that a full service has been undertaken ahead of sale, with a new turbocharger also fitted in February 2020 at Mercedes-Benz specialist MB Tech in Warrington, at a total cost of £3,300. During the cosmetic overhaul in June 2020, the brake discs and pads were replaced on all four corners, a new battery was fitted, the air-conditioning was re-gassed, and a new fan resistor was installed – which came to an additional £3,100. The air-conditioning condenser was replaced in May 2018.

The most recent MOT test was on 23 March 2020 at 187,259 miles. This resulted in a pass, with advisories including a few worn suspension and anti-roll bar link bushes, worn brake discs and rear tyres, an inoperative offside front fog lamp, and a non-excessive oil leak. The vendor states that the oil leak was attended to during the most recent service, and the brakes were replaced as mentioned above. At the same time, a matching set of four new Continental tyres were also fitted.

This truly unique Viano will be supplied with its original driver’s handbooks as well as a number of recent invoices. The vendor advises that its early history will be stored on Mercedes-Benz’s dealer system should prospective buyers wish to enquire.

Combining Mercedes-Benz reliability with an array of luxury features, this Viano is an impressive bespoke conversion by Carisma Auto Design. While it has been used and enjoyed as intended, the VIP-style cabin remains in very good order. It is ready to be put to use as an executive chauffeured vehicle, or could be a great acquisition for a business-oriented family that prefers to travel discreetly.

The description of this auction lot is, to the best of the seller's knowledge, accurate and not misleading. Collecting Cars requests a range of detail about the lot from the seller, and performs a level of due diligence through HPI checks and MOT history. However, bidders must satisfy themselves as to the accuracy of the description, and conduct any research they feel is necessary before committing to a bid. Please see our Terms and Conditions for full details.

All UK-registered cars and motorbikes on Collecting Cars are run through an online HPI check. This vehicle shows no insurance database markers for damage or theft, and has no finance owing.