Mercedes Trucks for Sale (810)

Mercedes Truck models to carry around three tonnes

For these smaller payloads there are only two models to consider – the Atego 7.5 tonner is the natural choice, but if your loads are heavy but compact, some of the Sprinter models at 5.5 tonnes GVW have a payload of over 3 tonnes and this is available in a relatively compact vehicle, ideal for urban operation. Both of these commercial vehicles will require an operators licence and the driver will need a class 2 HGV licence, assuming the driver does not have ‘Grandad’s rights’ – putting them at about 50 years old.

If you are looking for the Atego, then the 816 is the most common at 7.5 tonnes (160HP) although higher powered version are available including the 180HP 818.

Unlike other Mercedes truck models, both the Atego and the Sprinter have been around for many years so, regardless of the age of the vehicle you are looking for, this is the best model to head for. If you are looking for an older version, then the ageing and rare Vario model can still be found which is a larger version of the Sprinter but went right up to 7.5 tonnes GVW.

Mercedes Truck models to carry up to ten tonnes

There is a much wider choice of models to consider in this category. The chances are that you will opt for an 18 tonner to carry at least ten tonnes, but there are alternatives if you are concerned about the size of the vehicle making the deliveries. So, if you are looking for a cheaper, older model 18 tonner prior to 2014, the Axor would be your model of choice. As the Axor was discontinued in 2013, after this point and up to 2021, if you wanted a narrow-cabbed version of the 18 tonner, you should be looking at the Antos model which only lasted until 2021 – after 2021 Mercedes borrowed the Actros brand from the heavier, wider cabbed range for their narrow-cabbed 18 and 26 tonners.

The most popular model in this range is the Actros or Antos 1824 – a 240HP 18 tonner.

Mercedes did not get to be the largest truck maker in the world for no reason, so there are obviously some other alternatives from the company’s range.

If you are looking for a slightly more heavy-duty truck that can handle on and off-road applications without sustaining damage – think skiploader operation or perhaps gritting work, then the Arocs 1824 would fit the bill.  These are essentially ruggedised versions of the narrow-cabbed Antos, (Arocs post 2021)

For a truck with more compact dimensions and a payload approaching 10 tonnes, you may want to consider looking at the Atego which is manufactured up to 16 tonnes GVW. This gives you a smaller vehicle footprint but uses a smaller cab.

The specialist, low entry cabbed Econic model had been used typically as a refuse truck, but in more recent years, the benefits of improved pedestrian vision has meant the 18-tonne GVW Econic has been used for other urban duty cycles, such as scaffold trucks (the crew cab helps here), tippers and dropsides, (the Econic is one of only a couple of 5 star rated direct vision trucks on the market).

Mercedes Truck models to carry up to fifteen tonnes

The story is very similar to the 18 tonners above – the 26 tonne 6×2 version simply has an additional axle at the rear of the truck. This can be steering for easy access to tight spaces or non-steering, and may well lift from the ground when not needed if the truck is running part-loaded or empty. Both of these options and weight and complexity. The truck will usually have a higher power output than an 18 tonner, although this may be from the same engine.

If you are looking for the 6×4 double drive version then the model will be a 2629 for example, whilst the 6×2 models start with a ‘25’ so the Axor 2529 or Actros 2530 for the later models.

Once again, Mercedes make a ruggedised Arocs version of the 26 tonner that is capable of carrying around a 15 tonne payload, depending on the configuration and the weight of the body. These will be used on gritting operation or as crane trucks that may have to venture onto building sites.

The low entry-cabbed Mercedes Econic is also available as a 6×2, 26 tonne model, with the most popular being the Econic 2630.  These will usually be refuse trucks, but some canny truck dealers have taken to converting these to scaffold trucks or vacuum tankers, targeting urban operators who need more than a couple of seats for the crew.

Mercedes Trucks to carry up to Twenty Tonnes

In the main, we are now looking at 8×4 tippers and hook loaders or 8×2 beavertail or crane trucks. There is a straightforward choice here – especially if your work takes you into rougher terrain, then you should consider the Arocs variants, if you only operate on roads, then the Actros should be the model of choice. All of these model numbers will start with a ‘32’. In reality, in the used truck market in the UK, you will usually find the Arocs versions at this weight. The most common model being the Arocs 3236 with 360HP.

Increasing in popularity, however, is the Econic with a ‘Tridem’ configuration (three axles at the rear instead of two and two). These are highly manoeuvrable in urban operation as well as providing excellent visibility of pedestrians.

Mercedes Tractor Units

Here is where the Actros is king of the Mercedes range. Available as the 2.3 metre wide Actros with Compact-, Clasis- or StreamSpace cabs and, more recently, the wider 2.5 metre wide version, the Actros L with a choice of Stream-, Big- or GigaSpace cabs. Looking at availability in the used truck market, the model to aim for will be the 450HP Actros 2545 or for that bit more power the 2551.

Specialist Mercedes Models – Unimog

The Unimog needs no introduction, this go anywhere truck is part commercial vehicle, part tractor and has been described as the @Swiss Army Knife’ of the automotive world. It can go anywhere and, when it gets there, it can run any type of attachment from the spaceship-like cab. They are tremendously expensive, but if you have the job for it, then you should pay the money as they are always up to the task.

Mercedes Commercial Vehicles FAQ