Mercedes-Benz SL: what fails at MOT
26,000 MOT tests on the Mercedes-Benz SL in 2024, counted. 12.1% failed at the first attempt.
The short answer
12.1% of Mercedes-Benz SL tests failed at the first attempt. Cars of the same ages averaged 32.4%, so the SL does better than most cars its age.
It fails most often on tyres (2.4% of tests), suspension (2.2% of tests) and brakes (1.4% of tests).
By year of registration
Older cars fail more, whatever the model. So each year is shown beside the figure for all cars first used that year.
| First used | Tests | Failed first time | All cars that year | Typical mileage |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2020 | 426 | 5.6% | 11.5% | 15,400 10,200 to 19,800 |
| 2019 | 944 | 3.8% | 13.4% | 17,300 12,900 to 27,000 |
| 2018 | 818 | 8.3% | 15.6% | 23,900 13,600 to 32,600 |
| 2017 | 1,536 | 5.5% | 18.2% | 27,700 20,500 to 38,300 |
| 2016 | 1,869 | 6.8% | 21.3% | 34,000 25,700 to 42,100 |
| 2015 | 1,781 | 9.1% | 24.4% | 38,400 26,300 to 52,400 |
| 2014 | 2,424 | 9.9% | 27.7% | 43,400 30,300 to 57,100 |
| 2013 | 2,245 | 14.3% | 30.6% | 47,000 32,300 to 60,100 |
| 2012 | 918 | 11.2% | 33.4% | 45,200 31,000 to 62,300 |
| 2011 | 490 | 11.6% | 36.1% | 47,400 33,400 to 62,300 |
| 2010 | 797 | 15.7% | 38.6% | 57,300 39,700 to 75,900 |
| 2009 | 987 | 16.4% | 39.8% | 59,000 38,700 to 83,900 |
| 2008 | 1,662 | 15.0% | 41.5% | 62,900 44,100 to 85,000 |
| 2007 | 1,499 | 14.0% | 41.5% | 69,200 49,000 to 87,500 |
| 2006 | 1,581 | 15.4% | 42.4% | 73,000 46,500 to 92,100 |
| 2005 | 2,088 | 17.4% | 42.2% | 70,900 51,400 to 92,800 |
| 2004 | 3,364 | 15.2% | 42.3% | 75,400 55,600 to 95,200 |
Green is at least three points better than other cars that year, red at least three points worse. Typical mileage is the middle reading at the test, with the range the middle half of cars fell in.
Where it fails
The share of Mercedes-Benz SL tests with at least one failure in each part of the MOT, beside what cars of the same ages average.
| Part of the test | SL | Cars its age |
|---|---|---|
| Tyres Less than most | 2.4% | 4.5% |
| Suspension Less than most | 2.2% | 7.9% |
| Brakes Less than most | 1.4% | 5.9% |
| Lights and electrics Less than most | 1.3% | 9.7% |
| Exhaust and emissions Less than most | 0.8% | 2.9% |
| Wipers, washers and windscreen Less than most | 0.7% | 3.6% |
| Number plates and VIN | 0.3% | 0.3% |
The parts that fail most
- Tyre2.1%
- Coil spring0.9%
- Ball joint0.6%
- Engine warning light0.6%
- Headlamp aim0.5%
- Brake pipes0.4%
- Washers0.4%
- Tyre tread0.3%
- Wipers0.3%
- Shock absorbers0.3%
Share of tests with a failure on that part.
The most common failures
- Coil spring: fractured or broken0.9%
- Tyre: has ply or cords exposed0.7%
- Tyre: has a cut in excess of the requirements deep enough to reach the ply or cords0.7%
- Ball joint: excessively worn0.6%
- Engine warning light: inoperative or indicates a malfunction0.6%
- Tyre: has a bulge, caused by separation or partial failure of its structure0.5%
- Brake pipes: excessively corroded0.4%
- Tyre tread: below requirements of 1.6mm0.3%
- Wipers: does not clear the windscreen effectively0.3%
- Tyre: has a tear, caused by separation or partial failure of its structure0.3%
What testers warn about
Advisories are things that passed this time but are wearing. They are the best guide to next year's bills.
- Tyre tread: worn close to legal limit/worn on edge5.0%
- Tyre: slightly damaged/cracking or perishing2.8%
- Brake pipes: corroded, covered in grease or other material2.8%
- Brake discs: worn, pitted or scored, but not seriously weakened2.3%
- Ball joint: has slight play1.8%
- Brake pads: wearing thin1.7%
- Engine oil: leak, but not excessive0.9%
- Tyre: has a cut but not deep enough to reach the ply or cords0.9%
What these figures can't tell you
An MOT is a safety and emissions test. These figures show how often the model fails that test. They say nothing about engines, gearboxes or electronics that break between tests, and how a car has been looked after matters more than its badge. The car you are looking at has its own MOT record, and that is the one to read.
Ask before you travel
- “How much tread is left on each tyre, and how old are they?”
- “Have any suspension parts been replaced, such as springs, ball joints or bushes, and can I see the invoice?”
- “When were the brake pads and discs last changed?”
- “Do all the lights work, including the number plate lights and brake lights?”
Check a Mercedes-Benz SL's own MOT record
Looking at a SL? Type its registration to see every test that car has had, what it failed on and what it was warned about, free.
Where this comes from
DVSA anonymised MOT tests and results, 2024, published by the Driver and Vehicle Standards Agency. Contains public sector information licensed under the Open Government Licence v3.0. The counting is Hindsight's own.
First-attempt MOT tests of cars first used 2004 to 2021. A test counts as failed if it failed or only passed after a repair during the test. Retests are left out. Built on 13 November 2026.