Mercedes-Benz Sl: MOT pass rate and reliability data

The Mercedes-Benz Sl passes its MOT first time more often than the average UK car, by 8 percentage points. These figures come from the DVSA's full year of anonymised MOT results, covering 21,088 individual Mercedes-Benz Sl tests. Nothing here is an estimate or a survey.

The numbers

First-time pass rate84.7%
UK national average76.7%
Difference+8 points
Tests analysed21,088
Average mileage at test67,963 miles
Average year of manufacture2005
Reliability rank1,259 of 2,005 models

What this means if you are buying one

A 84.7% first-time pass rate means roughly 15 in every 100 Mercedes-Benz Sls presented for MOT fail on the first attempt. That is better than average, so a well-kept example is a reasonably safe used buy. The average Mercedes-Benz Sl tested had covered 67,963 miles and was built around 2005.

What this means at salvage auction

Pass rate is a proxy for what a car costs to keep on the road. The Mercedes-Benz Sl sits 8 points above the national average, ranked 1,259 of 2,005 models. On one bought as repairable salvage, the mechanical side is less likely to spring surprises, so your repair estimate should hold up reasonably well.

Before you bid: run the lot through the analyzer, check the car's own record, check the mileage, decode the VIN, and if it carries a marker use the write-off value calculator. Or compare it against another model.

Looking at a specific Mercedes-Benz Sl rather than the model in general? The free check covers its MOT and mileage history, and the full HPI report confirms the insurance write-off category, outstanding finance and whether it is recorded stolen, from licensed data for 5 credits. Already own one that has been damaged? Work out whether fixing it beats selling it with the repair or scrap calculator, and see recorded closing bids for damaged Mercedes-Benz Sls at UK salvage auction.

Most common MOT failures on a Mercedes-Benz Sl

  1. Number plate does not conform to the specified requirements, 0.6% of tests (3.23x the national rate for this defect)
  2. Emissions levels exceed default limits, 0.6% of tests (1.58x the national rate for this defect)
  3. Brake pipe damaged or excessively corroded, 1.3% of tests (1.26x the national rate for this defect)
  4. A tyre seriously damaged, 3.1% of tests
  5. A suspension pin, bush or joint excessively worn, 2% of tests
  6. A tyre cords visible or damaged, 1.5% of tests
  7. A suspension joint dust cover missing or no longer prevents the ingress of dirt etc, 1.4% of tests
  8. A spring or spring component fractured or seriously weakened, 1.4% of tests
  9. The aim of a headlamp is not within limits laid down in the requirements, 1.1% of tests
  10. Tyre tread depth not in accordance with the requirements, 1% of tests

From 21,085 DVSA-tracked Mercedes-Benz Sl tests, 2024. DVSA testers marked 4.15% of these flagged Mercedes-Benz Sl defects as "dangerous", meaning the tester judged the car unsafe to drive away, against 5.11% nationally.

Most common MOT advisories on a Mercedes-Benz Sl

An advisory doesn't fail the car - the tester flags it as worth watching, but it still passes. A different list from the failures above: what testers are noting on a Mercedes-Benz Sl before it actually fails on it.

  1. A flexible brake hose excessively damaged, deteriorated, chafed, twisted or stretched, 3.6% of tests (6.47x the national rate for this advisory)
  2. A wheel bearing with excessive play, 3.4% of tests (5.26x the national rate for this advisory)
  3. Brake pipe damaged or excessively corroded, 13% of tests (2.1x the national rate for this advisory), also fails
  4. Fluid leaking excessively and likely to harm the environment or to pose a safety risk to other road users, 6.6% of tests (1.18x the national rate for this advisory)
  5. Tyre tread depth not in accordance with the requirements, 15.2% of tests, also fails
  6. A tyre seriously damaged, 13.8% of tests, also fails
  7. A suspension pin, bush or joint excessively worn, 8.8% of tests, also fails
  8. Brake disc or drum excessively weakened, insecure or fractured, 7.8% of tests
  9. a brake lining or pad worn below 1.5mm, 4.3% of tests
  10. A suspension component excessively damaged or corroded, 2.8% of tests

From 21,085 DVSA-tracked Mercedes-Benz Sl tests, 2024.

Mercedes-Benz Sl pass rate by model year

From its 1994 to its 2019 model year, the Mercedes-Benz Sl's first-time pass rate has risen 7.7 points, from 86.2% to 93.9%, the usual pattern: a newer model year is a younger car today, so it fails less. First-time pass rate for each Mercedes-Benz Sl year:

Other Mercedes-Benz models

Models with a similar pass rate

If this car is a salvage or write-off

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Mercedes-Benz Sl MOT pass rate badge: 84.7%

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Mercedes-Benz Sl most common MOT failure: Number plate does not conform to the specified requirements (0.6% of tests)

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All 2,005 models ranked by MOT pass rate