This is not an ordinary hypercar with a powerful engine, but a machine in which technologies close to Formula 1 have been used. It is for this reason that ownership of such a model is associated not only with a high purchase price but also with extremely expensive maintenance, even if the automobile almost never takes to the roads.
A Rare Model with Racing Technology
The Mercedes-AMG One was produced in a limited run of just 275 examples. One of these cars recently appeared at a closed RM Sotheby's auction. The vehicle had a mileage of only 185 km, with the majority of that distance covered during factory testing by Mercedes. In practice, the first owner hardly used the car, but the costs of ownership still proved significant.
The special feature of the AMG One is its power unit. At its core lies a 1.6-liter six-cylinder engine developed on the basis of Formula 1 technologies. Although adapted for road use, by its design it remains much closer to racing equipment than to ordinary production engines. This influences durability, the maintenance schedule, and the cost of any work.
Service Scheduled by Time, Not Mileage
For vehicles of this kind, actual mileage is not the only factor that matters. Many components have a time-limited service life, which is why the manufacturer mandates scheduled maintenance even when the car is scarcely used. This requirement relates to safety, warranty coverage, and the characteristics of highly stressed components.
In the case of the AMG One offered at auction, the first owner paid for a two-year Service A in February. The cost of this procedure totaled 37,610.15 euros. With such low mileage the figure appears unusual, but for a car equipped with a racing-derived power unit and complex aerodynamics, maintenance demands significantly more time and expertise than for a conventional sports car.
What Constitutes the Maintenance Cost
The greater part of the sum is attributable not to consumable parts but to specialist labor. According to the service records, mechanic labor accounted for approximately 31,600 euros. Work is charged at 395 euros per hour, and the complete procedure involved around 80 man-hours.
This volume of labor stems from the vehicle's design. Active aerodynamics, a compact layout, and difficult access to certain assemblies require technicians to partially disassemble the car even for routine operations. Consequently, filter and fluid replacements become extended procedures that demand considerable manual work.
Examples of Costs for Individual Components
- Air filter — 1,872.54 euros;
- Transmission oil filter — approximately 2,300 euros;
- 10 liters of engine oil — 555.80 euros;
- Separate service plug — approximately 150 euros.
Limited Lifespan of the Power Unit
Another key characteristic of the AMG One is engine durability. The power unit is specified for approximately 31,000 km before a major overhaul is required. After this point, an in-depth inspection or replacement of individual components may be necessary. Depending on the condition of the assemblies, the cost of such work can reach 850,000 euros.
For owners, this means that even infrequent use requires careful attention to the vehicle's technical condition. Although the AMG One is approved for use on public roads, its maintenance complexity keeps it closer to racing machinery than to traditional supercars.
Summary
The Mercedes-AMG One illustrates how costly it can be to own a vehicle constructed around Formula 1 technologies. Low mileage does not exempt the owner from scheduled maintenance expenses, and the intricate design makes even routine servicing lengthy and expensive. At the same time, the model's rarity and technical uniqueness sustain collector interest, for whom maintenance costs form part of the experience of owning such an automobile.
