We report on VLT/UVES high-resolution spectra of four members of the old metal-rich open cluster NGC 6253: a main-sequence star, two red-clump stars and a blue straggler. We performed equivalent width analysis and derived Fe, Si, Ca, Ti, Cr and Ni abundances as well as abundance ratios. For our main-sequence star, we obtained a metallicity of ? (rms), whereas for the two giants we found that our metallicities are on average +0.19 ± 0.13 (rms), lower than what was determined for the same stars in previous studies. We also found that, within the uncertainties, the abundance ratios of α and iron-peak elements match those in the solar surroundings, with the possible exception of Si in two giant stars in our sample. Based on observations collected at the European Organization for Astronomical Research in the Southern Hemisphere (ESO) in Paranal during programme 381.C-0270(A).