Mercedes Benz L312
Built: 1951-1959 · Series: L312
More machines from model year 1951
Not the right version? The data comes from vehicle registers holding many near-identical versions side by side. Photograph the data plate — we read make and type from it. Open the scanner e-mail address required
Mercedes-Benz L 312 – an L-series truck of the 1950s and 1960s with the six-cylinder OM 312 diesel, 4,580 cm³, 74 to 81 kW, gross weights from 7 to 9.25 tonnes
The Mercedes-Benz L 312 belongs to the L series of trucks that Mercedes-Benz built in the 1950s and 1960s at the Mannheim plant, the brand's home plant for commercial vehicles. The L in the type designation stands for Lastwagen, truck; the L 312 is powered by the six-cylinder OM 312 diesel engine of around 4.6 litres, which motorised several ranges of the mid-weight class in this period.
Read on 3 more paragraphs
The register lists here 6 versions with 74 to 81 kW from the six-cylinder diesel of 4,580 cm³, unladen weights from 3,057 to 4,700 kg, gross weights from 7,000 to 9,250 kg, lengths from 6,210 to 8,230 mm and widths from 2,250 to 2,400 mm.
The Mannheim L series formed the backbone of West German long-haul transport and construction in the 1950s and 1960s, before being replaced by the new generation with short-bonnet and forward-control cabs. Vehicles such as the L 312 sat in the mid-to-upper weight segment and were bodied as flatbeds, tippers and box vans. Many surviving examples today serve as static exhibits or take part in vintage commercial-vehicle rallies rather than daily transport.
On a used example, rust on the frame, cab floor and wings, the condition of the injection pump and valves of the OM 312, the brake system and wheel bearings, and the completeness of the body and fittings count; spare parts for the OM 312 are available through dealers specialising in classic commercial vehicles.
Sources: SpecCodex register, model data: Mercedes-Benz L 312, Mercedes-Benz (manufacturer)
Technical data
Engine
| Power | 81 kWcorrect |
|---|---|
| Cylinders | 6correct |
| Displacement | 4,580 cm³correct |
Dimensions and weights
| Length | 7,200 mmcorrect |
|---|---|
| Width | 2,340 mmcorrect |
| Wheelbase | 4,830 mmcorrect |
| Unladen weight | 3,810 kgcorrect |
| Gross vehicle weight | 8,100 kgcorrect |
Drivetrain and chassis
| Wheels | 4correct |
|---|---|
| Top speed | 80 km/hcorrect |
Where this model stands
Power-to-weight ratio: 21.3 kW/t (81 kW / 3.8 t)
Stronger than 3% of the trucks in the register — out of 25,242 models with a stated power figure.
Calculated from the documented figures above — not a rating.
Frequently asked questions
How much power does the Mercedes Benz L312 have?
The Mercedes Benz L312 delivers 81 kW.
How much does the Mercedes Benz L312 weigh?
The unladen weight is 3,810 kg.
What is the gross vehicle weight of the Mercedes Benz L312?
8,100 kg.
What engine does the Mercedes Benz L312 have?
6 cylinders, 4,580 cm³ displacement.
How fast does the Mercedes Benz L312 go?
Top speed is 80 km/h.
What are the dimensions of the Mercedes Benz L312?
7,200 mm × 2,340 mm.
When was the Mercedes Benz L312 built?
Production years: 1951-1959.
What to check before buying
- Check the hour meter against the service records — a replaced instrument is the most common gap.
- Compare the data plate and chassis number with the papers.
- Check the weights in the papers against the figures here — attachments change them.
- Ask about parts availability for this build year — the running costs hang on it.
A general list for this type of machine — no substitute for an inspection or an appraiser.
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This page carries 13 individual figures for this model. They come from 2 recorded sources; every figure can be traced there. What we cannot document is not here — we leave gaps open rather than estimate them.
The technical data on this page comes from official vehicle registration records (RDW/Traficom), not from the manufacturer.
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Other models in this series
Sources: RDW — Dutch national vehicle register (retrieved August 2026) · How we check the data
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