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N138 SFL

1996 Mercedes-benz Sl

Blue Petrol 3199cc
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MOT Status

Expired
Expires9 Jan 2026
Tests26 (20 pass, 6 fail)
Pass rate76.9%

Mileage

167,765 mi
Last recorded167,765 miles
Recorded on18 Dec 2024
Typical for 1996 Mercedes-benz Sl82,468 mi

Significantly above average — investigate

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

RegistrationN138 SFL
MakeMercedes-benz
ModelSl
Year1996
ColourBlue
Fuel typePetrol
Engine3,199cc

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

20 pass 6 fail
Pass 18 Dec 2024 167,765 miles

Exhaust system corroded

Nearside Front Brake pipe corroded, covered in grease or other material (1.1.11 (c))

Nearside Front Coil spring corroded (5.3.1 (b) (i))

Nearside Front Wheel bearing has slight play (5.1.3 (a) (i))

Nearside Rear Coil spring corroded (5.3.1 (b) (i))

Nearside Rear Shock absorbers has slight external damage to the casing (5.3.2 (b))

Offside Front Brake pipe corroded, covered in grease or other material (1.1.11 (c))

Offside Front Coil spring corroded (5.3.1 (b) (i))

Offside Front Wheel bearing has slight play (5.1.3 (a) (i))

Offside Rear Coil spring corroded (5.3.1 (b) (i))

Offside Rear Integral body structure is corroded but structural rigidity is not significantly reduced (6.1.1 (c) (i))

Offside Rear Shock absorbers has slight external damage to the casing (5.3.2 (b))

Offside Rear Tyre worn close to legal limit/worn on edge On 3mm (5.2.3 (e))

Rear Sub-frame corroded but not seriously weakened (5.3.3 (b) (i))

Pass 4 Jan 2024 165,136 miles

Exhaust system corroded

Nearside Front Brake pipe corroded, covered in grease or other material (1.1.11 (c))

Nearside Front Coil spring corroded (5.3.1 (b) (i))

Nearside Front Wheel bearing has slight play (5.1.3 (a) (i))

Nearside Rear Coil spring corroded (5.3.1 (b) (i))

Nearside Rear Shock absorbers has slight external damage to the casing (5.3.2 (b))

Offside Front Brake pipe corroded, covered in grease or other material (1.1.11 (c))

Offside Front Coil spring corroded (5.3.1 (b) (i))

Offside Front Wheel bearing has slight play (5.1.3 (a) (i))

Offside Rear Coil spring corroded (5.3.1 (b) (i))

Offside Rear Shock absorbers has slight external damage to the casing (5.3.2 (b))

Rear Sub-frame corroded but not seriously weakened (5.3.3 (b) (i))

Pass 9 Jan 2023 161,615 miles

Exhaust system corroded

Nearside Front Coil spring corroded (5.3.1 (b) (i))

Nearside Front Wheel bearing has slight play (5.1.3 (a) (i))

Nearside Rear Coil spring corroded (5.3.1 (b) (i))

Nearside Rear Shock absorbers has slight external damage to the casing (5.3.2 (b))

Offside Front Coil spring corroded (5.3.1 (b) (i))

Offside Front Wheel bearing has slight play (5.1.3 (a) (i))

Offside Rear Coil spring corroded (5.3.1 (b) (i))

Offside Rear Shock absorbers has slight external damage to the casing (5.3.2 (b))

Pass 17 Dec 2021 155,500 miles

Nearside Front Coil spring corroded (5.3.1 (b) (i))

Nearside Front Wheel bearing has slight play (5.1.3 (a) (i))

Nearside Rear Coil spring corroded (5.3.1 (b) (i))

Offside Front Coil spring corroded (5.3.1 (b) (i))

Offside Front Wheel bearing has slight play (5.1.3 (a) (i))

Offside Front coil spring bowed

Offside Rear Coil spring corroded (5.3.1 (b) (i))

exhaust corroded

Fail 16 Dec 2021 155,500 miles

Nearside Front Side repeater not working (4.4.1 (a) (ii))

Nearside Rear Tyre has a cut in excess of the requirements deep enough to reach the ply or cords (5.2.3 (d) (i))

Nearside Front Coil spring corroded (5.3.1 (b) (i))

Nearside Front Nail in tyre ()

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

Nearside Front Wheel bearing has slight play (5.1.3 (a) (i))

Nearside Rear Coil spring corroded (5.3.1 (b) (i))

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

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

Offside Front Coil spring corroded (5.3.1 (b) (i))

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

Offside Front Tyre slightly damaged/cracking or perishing (5.2.3 (d) (ii))

Offside Front Wheel bearing has slight play (5.1.3 (a) (i))

Offside Front coil spring bowed

Offside Rear Coil spring corroded (5.3.1 (b) (i))

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

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

exhaust corroded

Pass 14 Dec 2020 149,192 miles

Centre exhaust corroded

Nearside Front Wheel bearing has slight play (5.1.3 (a) (i))

Offside Front Wheel bearing has slight play (5.1.3 (a) (i))

Pass 20 Dec 2019 143,950 miles

Central exhaust corroded

Nearside Front Track rod end ball joint dust cover damaged or deteriorated, but preventing the ingress of dirt (2.1.3 (g) (i))

Nearside Front Wheel bearing has slight play (5.1.3 (a) (i))

Offside Front Track rod end ball joint dust cover damaged or deteriorated, but preventing the ingress of dirt (2.1.3 (g) (i))

Offside Front Wheel bearing has slight play (5.1.3 (a) (i))

Pass 3 Jan 2019 139,239 miles

Nearside Front Steering linkage ball joint ball joint dust cover damaged or deteriorated, but preventing the ingress of dirt (2.1.3 (g) (i))

Nearside Front Wheel bearing has slight play (5.1.3 (a) (i))

Offside Front Steering linkage ball joint ball joint dust cover damaged or deteriorated, but preventing the ingress of dirt (2.1.3 (g) (i))

Offside Front Wheel bearing has slight play (5.1.3 (a) (i))

Offside Front Windscreen damaged but not adversely affecting driver's view chip in zone a less than 10mm (3.2 (a) (i))

Fail 3 Jan 2019 139,239 miles

Nearside Front Headlamp aim too high (4.1.2 (a))

Nearside Front Steering linkage ball joint ball joint dust cover damaged or deteriorated, but preventing the ingress of dirt (2.1.3 (g) (i))

Nearside Front Wheel bearing has slight play (5.1.3 (a) (i))

Offside Front Headlamp aim too high (4.1.2 (a))

Offside Front Steering linkage ball joint ball joint dust cover damaged or deteriorated, but preventing the ingress of dirt (2.1.3 (g) (i))

Offside Front Wheel bearing has slight play (5.1.3 (a) (i))

Offside Front Windscreen damaged but not adversely affecting driver's view chip in zone a less than 10mm (3.2 (a) (i))

Pass 10 Jan 2018 134,572 miles
Fail 4 Jan 2018 134,570 miles

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

Nearside Rear Brake pipe slightly corroded (3.6.B.2c)

Pass 21 Dec 2016 130,740 miles

Nearside Rear Brake pipe slightly corroded (3.6.B.2c)

Offside Rear Brake pipe slightly corroded (3.6.B.2c)

Pass 15 Dec 2015 127,928 miles

Rear Exhaust rear silencer delaminating

Fail 15 Dec 2015 127,928 miles

Offside Side repeater incorrect colour (1.4.A.2f)

Rear Exhaust rear silencer delaminating

Pass 8 Jan 2015 124,189 miles
Fail 31 Dec 2013 119,854 miles

Nail in offside rear tyre

Nearside Headlamp aim too low (1.8)

Nearside Rear Brake pipe slightly corroded (3.6.B.2c)

Nearside Rear Shock absorber has slight corrosion to the casing (2.7.2a)

Offside Rear Brake pipe slightly corroded (3.6.B.2c)

Offside Rear Shock absorber has slight corrosion to the casing (2.7.2a)

Parking brake lever has little reserve travel (3.1.6b)

Under-trays fitted obscuring some underside components

Windscreen has damage to an area less than a 10mm circle within zone 'A' (8.3.1a)

centre exhaust box corroding

Pass 31 Dec 2013 119,854 miles

Nail in offside rear tyre

Nearside Rear Brake pipe slightly corroded (3.6.B.2c)

Nearside Rear Shock absorber has slight corrosion to the casing (2.7.2a)

Offside Rear Brake pipe slightly corroded (3.6.B.2c)

Offside Rear Shock absorber has slight corrosion to the casing (2.7.2a)

Parking brake lever has little reserve travel (3.1.6b)

Under-trays fitted obscuring some underside components

Windscreen has damage to an area less than a 10mm circle within zone 'A' (8.3.1a)

centre exhaust box corroding

Pass 2 Jan 2013 115,534 miles

Nearside Front Front wheel bearing has slight play (2.5.A.3c)

Offside Front Front wheel bearing has slight play (2.5.A.3c)

Pass 5 Jan 2012 112,292 miles

Nearside Front wheel bearing has slight play (2.5.A.3c)

Offside Front wheel bearing has slight play (2.5.A.3c)

centre exhaust box outer casing starting to corrode

slight corrosion on rear brake pipes

Pass 4 Jan 2011 108,601 miles

Nearside Front Brake hose slightly deteriorated (3.6.B.4d)

Nearside Front Brake pad(s) wearing thin (3.5.1g)

Nearside Rear Brake pad(s) wearing thin (3.5.1g)

Offside Front Brake hose slightly deteriorated (3.6.B.4d)

Offside Front Brake pad(s) wearing thin (3.5.1g)

Offside Rear Brake pad(s) wearing thin (3.5.1g)

Pass 7 Jan 2010 104,705 miles

Nearside Front Brake hose slightly deteriorated (3.6.B.4d)

Nearside Front Suspension arm rubber bush deteriorated but not resulting in excessive movement (2.4.G.2)

Nearside Front Tyre worn close to the legal limit (4.1.E.1)

Nearside Rear Tyre worn close to the legal limit (4.1.E.1)

Offside Front Brake hose slightly deteriorated (3.6.B.4d)

Offside Windscreen has damage to an area less than a 10mm circle within zone 'A' (8.3.1a)

Pass 21 Jan 2009 101,483 miles

Front Steering damper slight oil seepage (2.2.C.1f)

Front wheel bearing has slight play (2.5.A.3c)

hand brake pedal travels to floor

interior mirror loose

tell tale sign main beam light on dash not working

Pass 2 Jan 2008 94,169 miles

plastic sill covers fitted and engine undertray fitted

Pass 2 Jan 2007 86,416 miles
Fail 2 Jan 2007 86,416 miles

Offside Front Tyre tread depth below requirements of 1.6mm (4.1.E.1)

Offside Rear Tyre worn close to the legal limit (4.1.E.1)

Pass 2 Dec 2005 76,673 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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£30k guarantee Instant results Cancel anytime

N138 SFL is a 1996 Mercedes-benz Sl in Blue with a 3,199cc petrol engine. This vehicle has been through 26 MOT tests with a personal pass rate of 76.9%.

Across all 1996 Mercedes-benz Sl models, the average MOT pass rate is 82.3% with a typical mileage of 82,468 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 N138 SFL, 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 30 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 N138 SFL?

You can check the full history of N138 SFL by running a full vehicle check. This shows you finance, stolen, write-off, MOT history, mileage records and more.

What year was N138 SFL registered?

N138 SFL is a 1996 Mercedes-benz Sl, first registered on 17 January 1996.

Is N138 SFL safe to buy?

The MOT history for N138 SFL shows 26 tests with a 76.9% pass rate. To check for outstanding finance, stolen markers, write-off history and mileage discrepancies, run a full vehicle check.

Does N138 SFL 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 N138 SFL. 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.