Mercedes-benz Slk Reliability, MOT Pass Rate & Common Faults
Free Mercedes-benz Slk car check
Is the Mercedes-benz Slk reliable? We analysed 1,335,553 real MOT tests across 81,472 vehicles to find out.
Got a specific Mercedes-benz Slk? Enter the reg for a free check:
The Mercedes-benz Slk is above average for reliability based on real UK MOT data. Common problems include tyre tread depth below requirements of 1.6mm, coil spring broken and stop lamp not working. Here's everything you need to know before buying a used Mercedes-benz Slk.
Mercedes-benz Slk Number Plates
Number plates registered to a Mercedes-benz Slk. Click on any registration for full vehicle details — including MOT history, mileage records, previous owners and damage history.
Mercedes-benz Slk MOT Pass Rate by Year
How likely is a Mercedes-benz Slk to pass its MOT? Here's the pass rate for each registration year, newest first.
Mercedes-benz Slk Problems — What Goes Wrong?
The most common reasons a Mercedes-benz Slk fails its MOT, ranked by how often they occur. Check for these problems before you buy.
Mercedes-benz Slk Common Faults & Problems
These are the most common serious faults found on Mercedes-benz Slk models during MOT testing — flagged as dangerous or major failures that need immediate attention.
Mercedes-benz Slk Mileage — What's Normal?
How many miles does a typical Mercedes-benz Slk owner drive per year? Use this to check if a car you're looking at has suspiciously low or high mileage.
Mercedes-benz Slk MOT Data by Registration Year
Full breakdown of pass rate and mileage for each year. Use this to compare the Mercedes-benz Slk year you're looking at.
| Year | Tests | Pass Rate | Low Mi. | Typical Mi. | High Mi. |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2016 | 10,927 | 87.9% | 20,312 | 31,228 | 45,470 |
| 2015 | 47,327 | 86.8% | 22,849 | 34,786 | 49,975 |
| 2014 | 54,942 | 85.7% | 25,605 | 38,603 | 55,756 |
| 2013 | 59,496 | 84.0% | 28,689 | 43,625 | 61,824 |
| 2012 | 78,639 | 84.1% | 28,704 | 44,076 | 63,142 |
| 2011 | 37,818 | 84.7% | 26,566 | 41,484 | 59,780 |
| 2010 | 34,892 | 81.3% | 28,674 | 44,432 | 63,535 |
| 2009 | 46,190 | 80.7% | 29,878 | 47,311 | 67,946 |
| 2008 | 64,579 | 79.9% | 32,257 | 50,660 | 72,171 |
| 2007 | 77,021 | 80.0% | 32,549 | 51,290 | 73,771 |
| 2006 | 87,251 | 80.4% | 33,651 | 54,162 | 78,155 |
| 2005 | 127,063 | 79.6% | 35,005 | 56,199 | 80,302 |
| 2004 | 93,018 | 78.0% | 35,956 | 57,472 | 81,978 |
| 2003 | 68,210 | 77.6% | 38,484 | 59,779 | 84,072 |
| 2002 | 77,224 | 79.1% | 42,031 | 64,067 | 89,240 |
| 2001 | 93,650 | 78.4% | 47,276 | 69,467 | 94,252 |
| 2000 | 89,520 | 77.8% | 50,372 | 72,680 | 97,337 |
| 1999 | 77,113 | 76.9% | 51,812 | 74,227 | 98,240 |
| 1998 | 60,600 | 75.7% | 54,612 | 77,322 | 101,316 |
| 1997 | 42,389 | 75.4% | 57,928 | 81,143 | 105,916 |
How Long Does a Mercedes-benz Slk Last?
Based on 81,472 Mercedes-benz Slk vehicles on UK roads.
Mercedes-benz Slk Mileage Distribution
Total mileage recorded across all Mercedes-benz Slk 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 Slk
Based on MOT pass rates across all registration years with sufficient test data.
87.9% MOT pass rate from 10,927 tests
74.9% MOT pass rate from 2,898 tests
The best year to buy a used Mercedes-benz Slk is 2016, which has the highest MOT pass rate at 87.9% across 10,927 tests. The 1996 model year has the lowest pass rate at 74.9% — 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 Slk Compare?
MOT pass rates compared to similar models. Click any model for the full breakdown.
| Model | Pass Rate | Tests | Typical Mileage | Lifespan |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Mercedes-benz Slk THIS CAR | 80.0% | 1,335,553 | 55,965 mi | 29 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 |
| Hyundai Accent | 68.2% | 717,512 | 62,518 mi | 31 yrs |
Compared to the Mercedes-benz C (77.6% pass rate) and the Mercedes-benz E (79.4% pass rate), the Mercedes-benz Slk outperforms both on MOT reliability.
Found a Mercedes-benz Slk 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 SlkShould you buy a used Mercedes-benz Slk?
The Mercedes-benz Slk has an overall MOT pass rate of 80.0% across 1,335,553 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 Slk are tyre tread depth below requirements of 1.6mm (28,060 recorded failures), coil spring broken (11,334), and stop lamp not working (8,797). 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.
On the safety side, the most frequently flagged dangerous fault is tyre tread depth below requirements of 1.6mm. Dangerous faults cause an immediate MOT failure and mean the vehicle is not roadworthy until repaired. If you're viewing a Mercedes-benz Slk with an expired or recently passed MOT, ask the seller whether any dangerous faults were found and fixed during the last test.
A typical Mercedes-benz Slk owner drives around 3,226 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 Slk models stay on UK roads for around 29 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.