Mercedes-Benz SL MOT pass rate: 85.2% (20,282 tests, 2025)

The Mercedes-Benz SL passed 85.2% of its 20,282 MOT tests in 2025 — 7.7 points above the UK average of 77.5%. The median tested example was 21 years old with 64,866 miles on the clock.

85.2%Pass rate (2025)

20,282MOT tests analysed

64,866 miMedian mileage at test

21 yrsMedian age at test

How the SL compares

Mercedes-Benz SL

85.2%

UK average (all Class 4 vehicles)

77.5% across 33.1 million tests

Mercedes-Benz average (all models)

80.7%

What fails most on the Mercedes-Benz SL

Across failed and rectified tests in 2025, these vehicle systems produced the most defects on the SL:

#	System	Defects recorded	Share
1	Suspension	1,490	24.1%
2	Tyres	1,176	19.0%
3	Lamps, reflectors and electrical equipment	1,122	18.1%
4	Brakes	1,087	17.6%
5	Noise, emissions and leaks	487	7.9%
6	Visibility	449	7.3%

Pre-MOT checklist for SL owners

Based on the failure profile above, ten minutes with a torch before your test removes the most likely fail items:

Bounce each corner and listen for clonks over speed bumps — suspension is this model’s (and the UK’s) top failure system
Check tread with the 20p test and inspect sidewalls for cracking — tyres close to the limit are the country’s most common advisory
Walk round with all lights on: one blown bulb is the most avoidable fail there is
Feel for a spongy pedal or pulling to one side; check pad wear through the wheel spokes if visible
A blowing exhaust or visible smoke will fail; warm the engine fully before the test

Check the engine before the tester does

A stored fault code with the engine light on is an automatic Major defect. Scan and clear resolved faults before booking.

Topdon OBD2 scannersTopdon diagnostic scanners with full-system readouts
XTOOL diagnostic toolsXTOOL code readers for petrol and diesel cars
Autel UK testersAutel professional-grade diagnostic testers

SL pass rate by registration year

Registration year	Tests	Pass rate	Vs same-age	Median mileage
2002	2,872	83.7%	+18.0 pts	73,879
2003	6,974	83.5%	+18.4 pts	74,302
2004	5,427	85.1%	+20.8 pts	73,646
2005	3,317	84.4%	+19.9 pts	72,624
2006	2,379	83.4%	+18.9 pts	72,034
2007	2,326	83.4%	+18.2 pts	67,976
2008	2,255	85.1%	+20.0 pts	62,436
2013	3,359	84.3%	+11.0 pts	45,701
2014	3,147	87.4%	+11.6 pts	43,438
2015	2,372	88.6%	+9.9 pts	37,269
2016	2,291	90.6%	+9.2 pts	32,791
2017	1,901	91.6%	+7.6 pts	27,262

Check a specific SL before you buy

Pass rates describe the model; they can’t tell you about the one car you’re looking at. Run its plate through our free MOT history check to see its personal record of failures, advisories and mileage readings.

Other Mercedes-Benz models

C78.2% pass rate · 343,551 tests A-Class77.8% pass rate · 232,671 tests E79.7% pass rate · 215,896 tests A89.1% pass rate · 93,733 tests Vito73.4% pass rate · 81,263 tests GLC87.2% pass rate · 65,847 tests GLA83.1% pass rate · 64,404 tests CLA82.7% pass rate · 62,279 tests

FAQs

What is the MOT pass rate for a Mercedes-Benz SL?

In 2025, 85.2% of 20,282 first MOT tests on the Mercedes-Benz SL were passes (UK average: 77.5%). Data: DVSA anonymised MOT results.

What does the SL fail its MOT on most?

The biggest defect group is suspension (24.1% of its recorded defects), followed by tyres.

Is the Mercedes-Benz SL reliable?

MOT pass rate is one lens on durability: at 85.2% it performs above the national average at a median age of 21 years and 64,866 miles. Always check the individual car's history too.

Source: DVSA Anonymised MOT tests and results, 2025 extract (Class 4 initial tests only; retests excluded). Contains public sector information licensed under the Open Government Licence v3.0. Figures rounded to one decimal place.