Mercedes-benz Sls Reliability, MOT Pass Rate & Common Faults
Free Mercedes-benz Sls car check
Is the Mercedes-benz Sls reliable? We analysed 4,220 real MOT tests across 446 vehicles to find out.
Got a specific Mercedes-benz Sls? Enter the reg for a free check:
The Mercedes-benz Sls is above average for reliability based on real UK MOT data. Common problems include tyre has ply or cords exposed, registration plate character(s) incorrectly spaced and tyre has a cut in excess of the requirements deep enough to reach the ply or cords. Here's everything you need to know before buying a used Mercedes-benz Sls.
Mercedes-benz Sls Number Plates
Number plates registered to a Mercedes-benz Sls. Click on any registration for full vehicle details — including MOT history, mileage records, previous owners and damage history.
Mercedes-benz Sls MOT Pass Rate by Year
How likely is a Mercedes-benz Sls to pass its MOT? Here's the pass rate for each registration year, newest first.
Mercedes-benz Sls Problems — What Goes Wrong?
The most common reasons a Mercedes-benz Sls fails its MOT, ranked by how often they occur. Check for these problems before you buy.
Mercedes-benz Sls Common Faults & Problems
These are the most common serious faults found on Mercedes-benz Sls models during MOT testing — flagged as dangerous or major failures that need immediate attention.
Mercedes-benz Sls Mileage — What's Normal?
How many miles does a typical Mercedes-benz Sls owner drive per year? Use this to check if a car you're looking at has suspiciously low or high mileage.
Mercedes-benz Sls MOT Data by Registration Year
Full breakdown of pass rate and mileage for each year. Use this to compare the Mercedes-benz Sls year you're looking at.
| Year | Tests | Pass Rate | Low Mi. | Typical Mi. | High Mi. |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2014 | 169 | 95.3% | 3,706 | 9,652 | 12,682 |
| 2013 | 323 | 92.9% | 7,278 | 12,906 | 19,096 |
| 2012 | 535 | 94.4% | 9,544 | 12,347 | 16,826 |
| 2011 | 1,658 | 94.0% | 9,137 | 14,990 | 21,039 |
| 2010 | 1,499 | 92.6% | 7,325 | 14,738 | 23,441 |
How Long Does a Mercedes-benz Sls Last?
Based on 446 Mercedes-benz Sls vehicles on UK roads.
Mercedes-benz Sls Mileage Distribution
Total mileage recorded across all Mercedes-benz Sls 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 Sls
Based on MOT pass rates across all registration years with sufficient test data.
95.3% MOT pass rate from 169 tests
92.6% MOT pass rate from 1,499 tests
The best year to buy a used Mercedes-benz Sls is 2014, which has the highest MOT pass rate at 95.3% across 169 tests. The 2010 model year has the lowest pass rate at 92.6% — 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 Sls Compare?
MOT pass rates compared to similar models. Click any model for the full breakdown.
| Model | Pass Rate | Tests | Typical Mileage | Lifespan |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Mercedes-benz Sls THIS CAR | 93.5% | 4,220 | 13,786 mi | 16 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 |
| Audi A6 S Line TDI | 88.3% | 4,701 | 115,812 mi | — yrs |
Compared to the Mercedes-benz C (77.6% pass rate) and the Mercedes-benz E (79.4% pass rate), the Mercedes-benz Sls outperforms both on MOT reliability.
Found a Mercedes-benz Sls 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 SlsShould you buy a used Mercedes-benz Sls?
The Mercedes-benz Sls has an overall MOT pass rate of 93.5% across 4,220 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 Sls are tyre has ply or cords exposed (50 recorded failures), registration plate character(s) incorrectly spaced (14), and tyre has a cut in excess of the requirements deep enough to reach the ply or cords (6). 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 has ply or cords exposed. Dangerous faults cause an immediate MOT failure and mean the vehicle is not roadworthy until repaired. If you're viewing a Mercedes-benz Sls 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 Sls owner drives around 411 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 Sls models stay on UK roads for around 16 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.