The Most Expensive Cars in the World: Record Prices and Auction Bids

What Is the Most Expensive Car in the World?
An exclusive Rolls-Royce? A collectible Ferrari? Or perhaps a one-of-a-kind Bugatti? The truth is, there’s no definitive answer to this question. It all depends on how you define “the most expensive car”—whether it’s a brand-new model with the highest price tag today, a rare classic sold for a record-breaking sum at auction, or a bespoke luxury vehicle built to order. But our list includes them all! Let’s take a look at the top most expensive cars in the world.

Mercedes-Benz 300 SLR Uhlenhaut – €135,000,000

Let’s start with a car whose status is beyond question: the Mercedes-Benz 300 SLR Uhlenhaut is the most expensive car in the world today and the priciest automobile in history. In 2022, it was sold for a staggering €135 million ($142 million at the time). This record remains unbroken, and as of 2024, it still holds the title of the world’s most expensive car.

The 300 SLR Uhlenhaut is a road-legal version of the 300 SLR racing roadster, originally designed for the most prestigious motorsport events of the late 1950s. Only two units were ever built, featuring a fixed roof and iconic gullwing doors. The model was named after one of its creators, Rudolf Uhlenhaut, who used one of the coupes as his personal car.

Both 300 SLR Uhlenhaut coupes were kept in the Mercedes-Benz Museum, but in 2022, the company made the decision to sell one. The car put up for auction was the very same two-door coupe driven by Uhlenhaut himself. The proceeds from the sale were directed toward various educational initiatives. While the buyer’s identity remains undisclosed, it is known that they agreed to occasionally showcase the car at public events.

Back in the 1950s, the car’s powertrain was considered ahead of its time, and even today, its specs remain impressive. It is powered by a 3.0-liter inline-eight engine producing 310 hp. It also delivers 320 Nm of torque, features direct fuel injection (a technology then reserved for military applications), and boasts a top speed of 290 km/h (180 mph). This was truly a car of the future in the mid-20th century.