Mercedes-benz Sl Reliability, MOT Pass Rate & Common Faults
Free Mercedes-benz Sl car check
Is the Mercedes-benz Sl reliable? We analysed 528,820 real MOT tests across 35,553 vehicles to find out.
Got a specific Mercedes-benz Sl? Enter the reg for a free check:
The Mercedes-benz Sl is above average for reliability based on real UK MOT data. Common problems include tyre tread depth below requirements of 1.6mm, tyre has ply or cords exposed and brake pipe excessively corroded. Here's everything you need to know before buying a used Mercedes-benz Sl.
Mercedes-benz Sl Number Plates
Number plates registered to a Mercedes-benz Sl. Click on any registration for full vehicle details — including MOT history, mileage records, previous owners and damage history.
Mercedes-benz Sl MOT Pass Rate by Year
How likely is a Mercedes-benz Sl to pass its MOT? Here's the pass rate for each registration year, newest first.
Mercedes-benz Sl Problems — What Goes Wrong?
The most common reasons a Mercedes-benz Sl fails its MOT, ranked by how often they occur. Check for these problems before you buy.
Mercedes-benz Sl Mileage — What's Normal?
How many miles does a typical Mercedes-benz Sl owner drive per year? Use this to check if a car you're looking at has suspiciously low or high mileage.
Mercedes-benz Sl MOT Data by Registration Year
Full breakdown of pass rate and mileage for each year. Use this to compare the Mercedes-benz Sl year you're looking at.
| Year | Tests | Pass Rate | Low Mi. | Typical Mi. | High Mi. |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2019 | 1,705 | 92.9% | 10,627 | 16,381 | 25,132 |
| 2018 | 2,491 | 91.9% | 11,974 | 19,050 | 29,284 |
| 2017 | 4,843 | 92.0% | 14,288 | 22,135 | 32,851 |
| 2016 | 6,488 | 90.3% | 16,696 | 26,169 | 37,917 |
| 2015 | 7,906 | 90.2% | 18,260 | 29,052 | 42,774 |
| 2014 | 11,851 | 89.0% | 21,415 | 33,262 | 48,217 |
| 2013 | 13,865 | 87.5% | 21,212 | 33,398 | 48,668 |
| 2012 | 5,728 | 87.2% | 20,390 | 33,098 | 49,628 |
| 2011 | 3,839 | 87.6% | 21,683 | 34,709 | 50,617 |
| 2010 | 6,054 | 85.8% | 25,245 | 39,574 | 58,882 |
| 2009 | 8,720 | 85.7% | 25,194 | 41,185 | 61,698 |
| 2008 | 15,434 | 86.1% | 26,359 | 42,470 | 63,585 |
| 2007 | 17,053 | 85.9% | 29,780 | 47,638 | 69,602 |
| 2006 | 19,093 | 85.0% | 31,854 | 50,657 | 73,927 |
| 2005 | 28,918 | 84.9% | 33,728 | 52,791 | 75,409 |
| 2004 | 53,195 | 84.8% | 33,875 | 53,336 | 76,633 |
| 2003 | 76,108 | 83.5% | 33,703 | 53,586 | 77,144 |
| 2002 | 35,289 | 82.0% | 36,648 | 55,741 | 77,919 |
| 2001 | 8,784 | 84.5% | 36,765 | 56,681 | 82,129 |
| 2000 | 15,033 | 83.1% | 46,036 | 66,144 | 89,460 |
How Long Does a Mercedes-benz Sl Last?
Based on 35,553 Mercedes-benz Sl vehicles on UK roads.
Mercedes-benz Sl Mileage Distribution
Total mileage recorded across all Mercedes-benz Sl MOT tests. If the car you're looking at is above the 75th percentile, it's done more miles than most.
Best Year to Buy a Used Mercedes-benz Sl
Based on MOT pass rates across all registration years with sufficient test data.
92.9% MOT pass rate from 1,705 tests
68.5% MOT pass rate from 260 tests
The best year to buy a used Mercedes-benz Sl is 2019, which has the highest MOT pass rate at 92.9% across 1,705 tests. The 1975 model year has the lowest pass rate at 68.5% — if you're looking at one from that year, budget for potential repairs and get a thorough pre-purchase inspection.
How Does the Mercedes-benz Sl Compare?
MOT pass rates compared to similar models. Click any model for the full breakdown.
| Model | Pass Rate | Tests | Typical Mileage | Lifespan |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Mercedes-benz Sl THIS CAR | 83.4% | 528,820 | 59,007 mi | 43 yrs |
| Mercedes-benz C | 77.6% | 8,031,355 | 77,082 mi | 32 yrs |
| Mercedes-benz E | 79.4% | 4,722,746 | 83,960 mi | 33 yrs |
| Mercedes-benz A-class | 77.6% | 4,204,702 | 57,023 mi | 28 yrs |
| Toyota Land Cruiser | 75.9% | 446,391 | 111,841 mi | 36 yrs |
Compared to the Mercedes-benz C (77.6% pass rate) and the Mercedes-benz E (79.4% pass rate), the Mercedes-benz Sl outperforms both on MOT reliability.
Found a Mercedes-benz Sl you like?
Run a full vehicle history check on the specific car. See finance, stolen, write-off, mileage and MOT data for that exact vehicle.
Check a specific Mercedes-benz SlShould you buy a used Mercedes-benz Sl?
The Mercedes-benz Sl has an overall MOT pass rate of 83.4% across 528,820 real MOT tests — comfortably above the UK average, which puts it among the more reliable models on UK roads.
The most common problems on the Mercedes-benz Sl are tyre tread depth below requirements of 1.6mm (8,801 recorded failures), tyre has ply or cords exposed (3,812), and brake pipe excessively corroded (3,463). These are the faults most likely to cause an MOT failure on this model, so check for them carefully on any test drive or pre-purchase inspection. Many are wear-and-tear items that can be budgeted for, but a car that's already failing on multiple fronts may signal neglected maintenance.
A typical Mercedes-benz Sl owner drives around 2,023 miles per year. If the car you're looking at is significantly above this, expect more wear on suspension, brakes and tyres. If it's well below, the vehicle may have been sitting unused — check for perished rubber, corroded discs and stale fluids.
In terms of longevity, most Mercedes-benz Sl models stay on UK roads for around 43 years — a strong showing that suggests solid build quality and readily available parts. If you're buying one that's already approaching that window, the data suggests it has plenty of life left provided it's been maintained.
Before committing to a purchase, we recommend running a full vehicle history check on the specific car. This will reveal any outstanding finance, stolen markers, write-off history and mileage discrepancies that the seller may not disclose — and that the MOT data alone can't tell you.