MOT performance
1998 Mercedes-Benz SLK: MOT pass rate and common failures
Of 2,174 MOT tests on 1998-registered Mercedes-Benz SLKs in 2023–2024 (on average 24.7 years old at test, median 88,399 miles), 67.8% passed first time, 6.3 points lower than the Mercedes-Benz SLK overall. Allowing for age, mileage and fuel, 1998 Mercedes-Benz SLKs failed about as often as comparable cars.
2,174 MOT tests on 1,245 vehicles, 2023–2024 · Source: DVSA (Open Government Licence) · Analysis: 73 Auto
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| Figure | Value | Basis |
|---|---|---|
| First-time pass rate | 67.8% | ±2 pts (95%), n = 2,174 |
| All Mercedes-Benz SLKs | 74.2% | n = 133,811 |
| Failures vs similar cars | 1.02× | same age, mileage and fuel = 1.00 |
| Tests with a dangerous defect | 6.2% | n = 2,174 |
| Average age at test | 24.7 years | n = 2,174 |
Where 1998 Mercedes-Benz SLKs fail
| Area | Tests failed on it | vs similar cars |
|---|---|---|
| Lights, reflectors and electrical | 19.4% | +40% |
| Brakes | 7.8% | -23% |
| Suspension | 6.4% | -34% |
| Driver's view of the road | 5.8% | -6% |
| Tyres | 4.0% | +22% |
| Noise, emissions and leaks | 3.6% | -51% |
| Body, chassis and structure | 3.0% | -58% |
| Steering | 1.9% | -26% |
| Seat belts and airbags | 1.0% | -60% |
| Registration plates and VIN | 0.6% | -17% |
| Road wheels | 0.5% | +101% |
| Speedometer and driving controls | 0.0% | -10% |
Most common failure items
| Item | Area | Share of tests |
|---|---|---|
| Stop lamp: not working | Lights, reflectors and electrical | 6.26% |
| Headlamp aim: projected beam image is obviously incorrect | Lights, reflectors and electrical | 3.40% |
| Position lamp: not working | Lights, reflectors and electrical | 2.99% |
| Wipers: does not clear the windscreen effectively | Driver's view of the road | 2.58% |
| Rigid brake pipes: excessively corroded | Brakes | 2.21% |
Check a specific 1998 Mercedes-Benz SLK
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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.