CarVerify

Free Car Check

R14 DCH

1997 Mercedes-benz Sl

Green Petrol 2799cc
Search another vehicle

MOT Status

Expired
Expires24 Jul 2026
Tests27 (20 pass, 7 fail)
Pass rate74.1%

Mileage

123,523 mi
Last recorded123,523 miles
Recorded on25 Jul 2025
Typical for 1997 Mercedes-benz Sl79,403 mi

Significantly above average — investigate

4 checks still locked for this Mercedes-benz
Stolen
Finance
Write-off
Keepers
Unlock full report — £4.99
Instant £30k guarantee
or single check £14.99

Not all car check providers offer a guarantee. Don't risk buying from services that can't back their data. CarVerify reports include a £30,000 finance data guarantee.

Vehicle Details

RegistrationR14 DCH
MakeMercedes-benz
ModelSl
Year1997
ColourGreen
Fuel typePetrol
Engine2,799cc

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 7 fail
Pass 25 Jul 2025 123,523 miles

Brake pipe corroded, covered in grease or other material All pipes including ferruls (1.1.11 (c))

Exhaust system corroded Rear

Front Play in steering rack inner joint(s) Both sides ()

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

Nearside Front Suspension arm corroded but not seriously weakened (5.3.3 (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 Vehicle structure is corroded but structural rigidity is not significantly reduced Sill around jacking point (6.1.1 (c) (i))

Oil leak, but not excessive (8.4.1 (a) (i))

Rear Brake disc worn, pitted or scored, but not seriously weakened Both sides (1.1.14 (a) (ii))

Rear Oil leak, but not excessive Rear diff (8.4.1 (a) (i))

Underbody has corrosion all round

Pass 4 Jun 2024 123,209 miles

Brake pipe corroded, covered in grease or other material all sides (1.1.11 (c))

Front Coil spring corroded both sides (5.3.1 (b) (i))

Front Wheel bearing has slight play both sides (5.1.3 (a) (i))

Offside Rear Service brake binding but not excessively (1.2.1 (f))

Oil leak, but not excessive (8.4.1 (a) (i))

Rear Brake disc worn, pitted or scored, but not seriously weakened both sides (1.1.14 (a) (ii))

Rear Macpherson strut corroded but not seriously weakened both sides (5.3.3 (b) (i))

Rear Shock absorbers has a reduced damping effect both sides (5.3.2 (d))

exhaust system corroded

general corrosion all round with underseal

Pass 3 Aug 2023 123,202 miles

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

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

Nearside Rear Brake disc worn, pitted or scored, but not seriously weakened and offside rear (1.1.14 (a) (ii))

Nearside Rear Shock absorbers has a reduced damping effect also corroded (5.3.2 (d))

Offside Front Shock absorbers has a reduced damping effect also corroded (5.3.2 (d))

Offside Rear Shock absorbers has a reduced damping effect also corroded (5.3.2 (d))

Offside Rear Vehicle structure is corroded but structural rigidity is not significantly reduced near boot pan arear (6.1.1 (c) (i))

exhaust system corroded

Pass 1 Aug 2022 122,886 miles

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

Nearside Front Shock absorbers has a reduced damping effect also corroded (5.3.2 (d))

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

Nearside Rear Brake disc worn, pitted or scored, but not seriously weakened and offside rear (1.1.14 (a) (ii))

Nearside Rear Shock absorbers has a reduced damping effect also corroded (5.3.2 (d))

Offside Front Shock absorbers has a reduced damping effect also corroded (5.3.2 (d))

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

Offside Rear Shock absorbers has a reduced damping effect also corroded (5.3.2 (d))

Offside Rear Vehicle structure is corroded but structural rigidity is not significantly reduced boot pan corner (6.1.1 (c) (i))

exhaust system corroded

Fail 1 Aug 2022 122,886 miles

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

Nearside Front Shock absorbers has a reduced damping effect also corroded (5.3.2 (d))

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

Nearside Rear Brake disc worn, pitted or scored, but not seriously weakened and offside rear (1.1.14 (a) (ii))

Nearside Rear Shock absorbers has a reduced damping effect also corroded (5.3.2 (d))

Nearside Rear Stop lamp(s) not working (4.3.1 (a) (ii))

Offside Front Shock absorbers has a reduced damping effect also corroded (5.3.2 (d))

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

Offside Rear Shock absorbers has a reduced damping effect also corroded (5.3.2 (d))

Offside Rear Vehicle structure is corroded but structural rigidity is not significantly reduced boot pan corner (6.1.1 (c) (i))

exhaust system corroded

Pass 27 Aug 2021 121,744 miles

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

Nearside Rear Brake pipe corroded, covered in grease or other material and offside (1.1.11 (c))

Pass 28 Aug 2020 121,490 miles
Fail 11 Aug 2020 121,490 miles

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

Rear Brake pipe leaking on an air braking system end to end (1.1.11 (b) (i))

Service brake efficiency below requirements (1.2.2 (a) (i))

Pass 9 Aug 2019 121,290 miles
Pass 16 Aug 2018 121,146 miles
Fail 13 Jul 2018 121,118 miles

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

Nearside Front Brake pipe excessively corroded (1.1.11 (c))

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

Offside Front Brake pipe excessively corroded (1.1.11 (c))

Offside Rear Coil spring corroded so that its cross sectional area is reduced and seriously weakened (5.3.1 (b) (i))

Oil leaking excessively from engine (8.4.1 (a) (i))

Parking brake lever defective so that it cannot be satisfactorily operated (1.1.6 (d))

Rear Brake pipe excessively corroded axle (1.1.11 (c))

Rear Vehicle structure corroded to the extent that the rigidity of the assembly is significantly reduced structure (6.1.1 (c) (i))

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 30 Jun 2017 120,005 miles

Body has slight corrosion under body (6.1.B.2)

Brake pipe slightly corroded osr and osf (3.6.B.2c)

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

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

Offside Rear coil spring corroded (2.4.C.1b)

Oil leak ()

Rear Fuel Pipe/s corroded ()

middle section exhaust slightly deteriorated

Pass 18 Jul 2016 119,531 miles

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

Nearside Rear Fuel pipe slightly chafed (7.2.2)

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

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

Offside Rear Tyre worn close to the legal limit 2mm (4.1.E.1)

centre brake light not working

oil leak

rear back box outer skin corroded

Fail 18 Jul 2016 119,531 miles

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

Nearside Rear Fuel pipe slightly chafed (7.2.2)

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

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

Offside Rear Tyre worn close to the legal limit 2mm (4.1.E.1)

Offside Rear position lamp(s) not working (1.1.A.3b)

Rear fog lamp not working (1.3.2b)

centre brake light not working

oil leak

rear back box outer skin corroded

Pass 6 Jul 2015 118,655 miles

Exhaust backbox outer skin coroded

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

Nearside Rear Fuel pipe slightly chafed (7.2.2)

Oil leak

Pass 2 Aug 2014 117,731 miles
Fail 30 Jul 2014 117,731 miles

Nearside rear parking brake recording little or no effort (3.7.B.6a)

Offside rear parking brake recording little or no effort (3.7.B.6a)

Parking brake: efficiency below requirements (3.7.B.7)

Pass 23 Aug 2013 116,829 miles

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

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

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

Pass 11 Oct 2012 115,880 miles

Exhaust rusty

Fail 11 Oct 2012 115,880 miles

Service brake: efficiency below requirements (3.7.B.7)

Exhaust rusty

Pass 11 Feb 2011 115,292 miles
Pass 28 Nov 2009 109,403 miles

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

Headlamp masks/converters fitted

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

Pass 3 Dec 2008 105,157 miles

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

Pass 9 Feb 2008 99,502 miles
Pass 13 Mar 2007 89,246 miles
Fail 12 Mar 2007 89,246 miles

Offside Rear Tyre has a lump, caused by separation or partial failure of its structure (4.1.D.1b)

Windscreen has damage to an area in excess of a 10mm circle within zone 'A' (8.3.1a)

Pass 13 Jul 2006 88,696 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

Don't risk it. Know before you buy.

Not all vehicle check providers are the same. Some don't offer a data guarantee, which means if their information is wrong, you're on your own. Every CarVerify report is backed by a £30,000 finance data guarantee.

£30k guarantee Instant results Cancel anytime

R14 DCH is a 1997 Mercedes-benz Sl in Green with a 2,799cc petrol engine. This vehicle has been through 27 MOT tests with a personal pass rate of 74.1%.

Across all 1997 Mercedes-benz Sl models, the average MOT pass rate is 81.5% with a typical mileage of 79,403 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 R14 DCH, 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 29 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 R14 DCH?

You can check the full history of R14 DCH by running a full vehicle check. This shows you finance, stolen, write-off, MOT history, mileage records and more.

What year was R14 DCH registered?

R14 DCH is a 1997 Mercedes-benz Sl, first registered on 31 December 1997.

Is R14 DCH safe to buy?

The MOT history for R14 DCH shows 27 tests with a 74.1% pass rate. To check for outstanding finance, stolen markers, write-off history and mileage discrepancies, run a full vehicle check.

Does R14 DCH 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 R14 DCH. 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.