MOT performance

Mercedes-Benz SL MOT pass rate and common failures

Across 43,454 MOT tests of the Mercedes-Benz SL in 2023–2024, 82.9% passed first time. Allowing for age, mileage and fuel, Mercedes-Benz SLs failed 46% less often than comparable cars. The most common failure item was “coil spring: fractured or broken”, on 1.21% of tests.

43,454 MOT tests on 23,470 vehicles, 2023–2024 · Source: DVSA (Open Government Licence) · Analysis: 73 Auto

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At a glance

Mercedes-Benz SL MOT results at a glance
Figure	Value	Basis
First-time pass rate	82.9%	±0.4 pts (95%), n = 43,454
Failures vs similar cars	0.54×	same age, mileage and fuel = 1.00
Tests with a dangerous defect	4.4%	n = 43,454
Average age at test	16.9 years	n = 43,454
Median mileage at test	62,763 miles	n = 43,454
Vehicles tested	23,470	2023–2024

Where Mercedes-Benz SLs fail

The share of MOT tests that failed on each area, and how that compares with cars of the same age, mileage and fuel. Areas where the difference is large and clear link to their own page.

Mercedes-Benz SL MOT failures by area
Area	Tests failed on it	vs similar cars
Lights, reflectors and electrical	5.0%	-63%
Suspension	4.8%	-53%
Tyres	4.2%	-14%
Brakes	3.6%	-58%
Driver's view of the road	2.2%	-62%
Noise, emissions and leaks	2.0%	-61%
Body, chassis and structure	0.9%	-83%
Seat belts and airbags	0.7%	-58%
Steering	0.6%	-72%
Registration plates and VIN	0.5%	+6%
Road wheels	0.4%	+60%
Speedometer and driving controls	0.0%	-10%

Mercedes-Benz SL MOT pass rate by generation

Generations by first-registration date against 73 Auto's catalogue (cars registered within three months of a changeover left out).

Mercedes-Benz SL MOT results by generation
Generation	Tests	Average age	First-time pass	vs similar cars
R230 (2001–2011)	19,865	18 yrs	81.6%	-52%
R231 (2012–2021)	11,793	7.6 yrs	87.4%	-37%

Most common failure items

Most common Mercedes-Benz SL MOT failure items
Item	Area	Share of tests
Coil spring: fractured or broken	Suspension	1.21%
Condition: has ply or cords exposed	Tyres	1.15%
Condition: has a cut in excess of the requirements deep enough to reach the ply or cords	Tyres	1.11%
Ball joint: ball joint excessively worn	Suspension	0.98%
Wipers: does not clear the windscreen effectively	Driver's view of the road	0.98%
Ball joint dust cover: ball joint dust cover no longer prevents the ingress of dirt	Suspension	0.89%
Rigid brake pipes: excessively corroded	Brakes	0.85%
Malfunction indicator lamp: inoperative or indicates a malfunction	Noise, emissions and leaks	0.83%
Headlamp aim: too low	Lights, reflectors and electrical	0.77%
Condition: has a bulge, caused by separation or partial failure of its structure	Tyres	0.76%

Most common advisories

Advisories are items the tester expects to need attention soon; they don't fail the test.

Most common Mercedes-Benz SL MOT advisories
Item	Area	Share of tests
Tread depth: tread depth below requirements of 1.6mm	Tyres	8.65%
Rigid brake pipes: excessively corroded	Brakes	8.42%
Condition: has a tear, caused by separation or partial failure of its structure	Tyres	6.47%
Engine oil leaks: leaking excessively from engine	Noise, emissions and leaks	5.04%
Brake discs: in such a condition that it is seriously weakened	Brakes	5.01%

Pass rate by age

Mercedes-Benz SL MOT pass rate by age at test
Age at test (years)	Tests	First-time pass rate	Failures vs similar cars
3-4	1,218	91.5%	-18%
5-6	2,203	90.8%	-36%
7-8	3,192	88.5%	-40%
9-10	4,008	84.5%	-38%
11-12	1,655	82.7%	-40%
13-15	3,125	81.4%	-48%
16+	27,865	81.2%	-48%

Pass rate by registration year

Mercedes-Benz SL MOT pass rate by registration year
Registered	Tests	First-time pass rate	Failures vs similar cars
2020	423	92.9%	0.78×
2019	841	92.3%	0.73×
2018	826	90.4%	0.75×
2017	1,306	90.5%	0.63×
2016	1,565	89.1%	0.62×
2015	1,635	87.8%	0.60×
2014	2,131	86.4%	0.56×
2013	2,269	83.1%	0.65×
2012	848	82.0%	0.66×
2011	518	84.2%	0.54×
2010	712	80.9%	0.57×
2009	962	81.1%	0.54×
2008	1,561	82.5%	0.47×
2007	1,594	81.2%	0.48×
2006	1,642	81.2%	0.47×
2005	2,297	82.2%	0.44×
2004	3,782	82.8%	0.43×
2003	4,859	80.5%	0.49×
2002	2,004	81.1%	0.48×
2001	577	83.7%	0.43×
2000	996	81.1%	0.51×
1999	1,100	81.3%	0.55×
1998	1,389	80.7%	0.61×
1997	1,361	81.3%	0.62×
1996	1,169	81.3%	0.62×
1995	1,086	79.0%	0.69×
1994	800	79.1%	0.69×
1993	321	77.6%	0.76×
1989	318	81.1%	0.65×
1985	370	81.9%	0.60×

Years with fewer tests are shown for completeness; only years with enough tests have their own page.

Compared with similar models

Mercedes-Benz SL vs Bentley Continental

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About this data. These are MOT test results, not a measure of mechanical reliability: a car's MOT outcome reflects its condition on the day, which depends on how it has been maintained and driven as well as how it was built. Figures cover class 4 vehicles (cars and light vans), normal tests only (retests excluded), outcomes pass, fail and pass after rectification at the station; vehicles at least 2.5 years old at test. Tests from 2023-01-01 to 2024-12-30. “Compared with similar cars” means compared with the national rate for cars of the same age, mileage band and fuel. Contains public sector information licensed under the Open Government Licence v3.0. Makes and models are matched to 73 Auto's vehicle catalogue; tests that can't be matched are left out rather than guessed. See how the MOT figures are produced.