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M16 XEL

2003 Mercedes-benz Sl

Blue Petrol 3724cc
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MOT Status

Valid
Expires1 Sep 2027
Tests28 (18 pass, 10 fail)
Pass rate64.3%

Mileage

76,211 mi
Last recorded76,211 miles
Recorded on2 Sep 2026
Typical for 2003 Mercedes-benz Sl53,586 mi

Significantly above average — investigate

4 checks still locked for this Mercedes-benz
Stolen
Finance
Write-off
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Vehicle Details

RegistrationM16 XEL
MakeMercedes-benz
ModelSl
Year2003
ColourBlue
Fuel typePetrol
Engine3,724cc

All premium checks include

50+ data points
Finance Check (Experian) Insurance Write-off Salvage Auction Stolen Check Previous Owners Ex-Taxi, Police, NHS Mileage Anomaly Import / Export Scrapped Check Plate Changes

MOT History

18 pass 10 fail
Pass 2 Sep 2026 76,211 miles
Fail 1 Sep 2026 76,203 miles

Nearside Front Suspension arm ball joint dust cover no longer prevents the ingress of dirt (5.3.4 (b) (ii))

Nearside Rear Tyre has ply or cords exposed (5.2.3 (d) (ii)) DANGEROUS

Offside Rear Tyre worn close to legal limit/worn on edge (5.2.3 (e))

Pass 2 Sep 2025 75,950 miles

Nearside Rear Tyre worn close to legal limit/worn on edge (5.2.3 (e))

Offside Rear Tyre worn close to legal limit/worn on edge (5.2.3 (e))

Fail 2 Sep 2025 75,950 miles

Offside Rear Brake disc significantly and obviously worn (1.1.14 (a) (i))

Offside Rear Brake pad(s) less than 1.5 mm thick (1.1.13 (a) (ii)) DANGEROUS

Nearside Rear Tyre worn close to legal limit/worn on edge (5.2.3 (e))

Offside Rear Tyre worn close to legal limit/worn on edge (5.2.3 (e))

Pass 20 Sep 2024 75,544 miles

Nearside Front Brake pad(s) wearing thin (1.1.13 (a) (ii))

Nearside Front Headlamp has a product on the lens but not seriously reducing light output (4.1.4 (b))

Nearside Rear Brake pad(s) wearing thin (1.1.13 (a) (ii))

Nearside Rear Tyre slightly damaged/cracking or perishing (5.2.3 (d) (ii))

Offside Front Brake pad(s) wearing thin (1.1.13 (a) (ii))

Offside Front Headlamp has a product on the lens but not seriously reducing light output (4.1.4 (b))

Offside Rear Brake pad(s) wearing thin (1.1.13 (a) (ii))

Rear Registration plate deteriorated but not likely to be misread (0.1 (b))

Rear Underbody corrosion.

Fail 18 Sep 2024 75,494 miles

Nearside Front Windscreen wiper does not clear the windscreen effectively (3.4 (b) (ii))

Offside Front Windscreen wiper does not clear the windscreen effectively (3.4 (b) (ii))

Parking brake efficiency below requirements (1.4.2 (a) (i))

Parking brake lever has excessive movement indicating incorrect adjustment (1.1.6 (c))

Nearside Front Brake pad(s) wearing thin (1.1.13 (a) (ii))

Nearside Front Headlamp has a product on the lens but not seriously reducing light output (4.1.4 (b))

Nearside Rear Brake pad(s) wearing thin (1.1.13 (a) (ii))

Nearside Rear Tyre slightly damaged/cracking or perishing (5.2.3 (d) (ii))

Offside Front Brake pad(s) wearing thin (1.1.13 (a) (ii))

Offside Front Headlamp has a product on the lens but not seriously reducing light output (4.1.4 (b))

Offside Rear Brake pad(s) wearing thin (1.1.13 (a) (ii))

Rear Registration plate deteriorated but not likely to be misread (0.1 (b))

Rear Underbody corrosion.

Pass 12 Oct 2023 75,288 miles

N/s/r tyre wornon inner edge

Slight corrosion both rear chassis/floors not excessive

Pass 2 Sep 2022 75,038 miles

Offside Rear Tyre worn close to legal limit/worn on edge (5.2.3 (e))

Undertrays Fitted

Pass 31 Aug 2021 74,436 miles

Front Brakes imbalanced requirements only just met. It would appear that the braking system requires adjustment or repair. (1.2.1 (b) (i))

Nearside Front Tyre worn close to legal limit/worn on edge (5.2.3 (e))

Offside Rear Tyre worn close to legal limit/worn on edge (5.2.3 (e))

Fail 31 Aug 2021 74,436 miles

Nearside Front Suspension arm ball joint excessively worn (5.3.4 (a) (i))

Front Brakes imbalanced requirements only just met. It would appear that the braking system requires adjustment or repair. (1.2.1 (b) (i))

Nearside Front Tyre worn close to legal limit/worn on edge (5.2.3 (e))

Offside Rear Tyre worn close to legal limit/worn on edge (5.2.3 (e))

Pass 8 Sep 2020 73,825 miles

Nearside Front Tyre worn close to legal limit/worn on edge (5.2.3 (e))

Pass 16 Aug 2019 71,834 miles

Brake pipe corroded, covered in grease or other material nearside front to rear (1.1.11 (c))

Nearside Front Tyre worn close to legal limit/worn on edge (5.2.3 (e))

Nearside Rear Tyre worn close to legal limit/worn on edge (5.2.3 (e))

Offside Rear Tyre worn close to legal limit/worn on edge (5.2.3 (e))

offside and nearside exhaust heat shields insecure

Pass 7 Sep 2018 64,648 miles

Nearside Front Tyre worn close to legal limit/worn on edge (5.2.3 (e))

Offside Front Shock absorbers light misting of oil or has limited damping effect (5.3.2 (b))

Fail 6 Sep 2018 64,608 miles

Offside Front Tyre has ply or cords exposed (5.2.3 (d) (ii)) DANGEROUS

Nearside Front Tyre worn close to legal limit/worn on edge (5.2.3 (e))

Offside Rear Nail in tyre

Pass 26 Sep 2017 58,914 miles
Pass 16 Jan 2017 58,400 miles

Front Lower Suspension arm rubber bush deteriorated but not resulting in excessive movement both front arms (2.4.G.2)

Play in steering rack inner joint(s)

Rear brake disc worn, pitted or scored, but not seriously weakened (3.5.1i)

Pass 21 Jan 2016 57,331 miles
Fail 8 Dec 2015 57,323 miles

Nearside Front Brake pipe excessively corroded (3.6.B.2c)

Nearside Front Lower Suspension arm rubber bush deteriorated resulting in excessive movement front arm (2.4.G.2)

Offside Front Brake pipe excessively corroded (3.6.B.2c)

Offside Front Lower Suspension arm rubber bush deteriorated resulting in excessive movement front arm (2.4.G.2)

Offside Front Shock absorber has a serious fluid leak (2.7.3)

Offside Front Shock absorber has a serious fluid leak (2.7.3)

Offside Front Upper Suspension arm rubber bush deteriorated resulting in excessive movement (2.4.G.2)

Pass 10 Dec 2014 55,810 miles
Fail 10 Dec 2014 55,810 miles

Nearside Front position lamp(s) not working (1.1.A.3b)

Nearside Headlamp not working on dipped beam (1.7.5a)

Fail 1 Jul 2013 55,817 miles

Nearside Front Suspension arm has excessive play in a ball joint (2.4.G.2)

Offside Front Suspension arm has excessive play in a ball joint (2.4.G.2)

Pass 8 Mar 2012 55,414 miles
Pass 30 Nov 2009 54,620 miles
Fail 26 Nov 2009 54,620 miles

Nearside Headlamp not working on dipped beam (1.7.5a)

Pass 4 Dec 2008 45,023 miles
Fail 3 Dec 2008 45,023 miles

Offside Front Track rod end ball joint has excessive play (2.2.B.1f) DANGEROUS

Pass 2 Aug 2007 33,902 miles
Pass 29 Jun 2006 17,135 miles

How Reliable is the Mercedes-benz Sl?

Based on 528,820 MOT tests across 35,553 vehicles.

83.4%
Pass Rate
2,023
Miles/Year
43
Year Lifespan
35,553
On UK Roads

Top MOT Failure Points

Tyre tread depth below requirements of 1.6mm 8,801
Tyre has ply or cords exposed 3,812
Brake pipe excessively corroded 3,463
Tyre has a cut in excess of the requirements deep enough to reach the ply or cords 3,077
Windscreen wiper does not clear the windscreen effectively 2,767
Full Mercedes-benz Sl reliability report

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M16 XEL is a 2003 Mercedes-benz Sl in Blue with a 3,724cc petrol engine. This vehicle has been through 28 MOT tests with a personal pass rate of 64.3%.

Across all 2003 Mercedes-benz Sl models, the average MOT pass rate is 83.5% with a typical mileage of 53,586 miles. This particular vehicle has a lower pass rate than the average for its year, which may indicate maintenance issues worth investigating.

The most common reason a Mercedes-benz Sl fails its MOT is tyre tread depth below requirements of 1.6mm, accounting for 8,801 recorded failures. If you're considering buying M16 XEL, it's worth having these areas checked by a mechanic before committing.

The Mercedes-benz Sl typically stays on UK roads for around 43 years. At 23 years old, this Mercedes-benz Sl is well into its expected lifespan but still has years ahead.

Frequently Asked Questions

How do I check the history of M16 XEL?

You can check the full history of M16 XEL by running a full vehicle check. This shows you finance, stolen, write-off, MOT history, mileage records and more.

What year was M16 XEL registered?

M16 XEL is a 2003 Mercedes-benz Sl, first registered on 2 June 2003.

Is M16 XEL safe to buy?

The MOT history for M16 XEL shows 28 tests with a 64.3% pass rate. To check for outstanding finance, stolen markers, write-off history and mileage discrepancies, run a full vehicle check.

Does M16 XEL have outstanding finance?

Finance checks require a premium vehicle report. This checks against all major UK finance providers to see if there is any outstanding finance on M16 XEL. If you buy a car with outstanding finance, the finance company can repossess it.

No warranty or guarantee of accuracy is provided for any free data on this page. The data guarantee applies only to information obtained through the purchase of a full check.