MOT performance
2004 Mercedes-Benz SL: MOT pass rate and common failures
Of 3,782 MOT tests on 2004-registered Mercedes-Benz SLs in 2023–2024 (on average 19 years old at test, median 73,216 miles), 82.8% passed first time, 0.2 points lower than the Mercedes-Benz SL overall. Allowing for age, mileage and fuel, 2004 Mercedes-Benz SLs failed 57% less often than comparable cars.
3,782 MOT tests on 2,091 vehicles, 2023–2024 · Source: DVSA (Open Government Licence) · Analysis: 73 Auto
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| Figure | Value | Basis |
|---|---|---|
| First-time pass rate | 82.8% | ±1.2 pts (95%), n = 3,782 |
| All Mercedes-Benz SLs | 82.9% | n = 43,454 |
| Failures vs similar cars | 0.43× | same age, mileage and fuel = 1.00 |
| Tests with a dangerous defect | 3.6% | n = 3,782 |
| Average age at test | 19 years | n = 3,782 |
Where 2004 Mercedes-Benz SLs fail
| Area | Tests failed on it | vs similar cars |
|---|---|---|
| Suspension | 6.9% | -51% |
| Lights, reflectors and electrical | 4.5% | -76% |
| Brakes | 4.3% | -61% |
| Tyres | 3.4% | -44% |
| Driver's view of the road | 2.1% | -72% |
| Noise, emissions and leaks | 1.1% | -84% |
| Seat belts and airbags | 0.9% | -60% |
| Body, chassis and structure | 0.6% | -91% |
| Registration plates and VIN | 0.5% | -16% |
| Steering | 0.4% | -86% |
| Road wheels | 0.3% | +1% |
| Speedometer and driving controls | 0.0% | +72% |
Most common failure items
| Item | Area | Share of tests |
|---|---|---|
| Coil spring: fractured or broken | Suspension | 2.25% |
| Ball joint: ball joint excessively worn | Suspension | 1.32% |
| Ball joint dust cover: ball joint dust cover no longer prevents the ingress of dirt | Suspension | 1.22% |
| Rigid brake pipes: excessively corroded | Brakes | 1.11% |
| Headlamp aim: too low | Lights, reflectors and electrical | 0.92% |
Check a specific 2004 Mercedes-Benz SL
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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.