CarVerify

Free Car Check

R281 AKK

1997 Mercedes-benz Sl

Silver Petrol 4973cc
Search another vehicle

MOT Status

Valid
Expires5 Feb 2027
Tests20 (19 pass, 1 fail)
Pass rate95%

Mileage

59,598 mi
Last recorded59,598 miles
Recorded on23 Jan 2026
Typical for 1997 Mercedes-benz Sl79,403 mi

Below or average mileage for this year

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

RegistrationR281 AKK
MakeMercedes-benz
ModelSl
Year1997
ColourSilver
Fuel typePetrol
Engine4,973cc

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

19 pass 1 fail
Pass 23 Jan 2026 59,598 miles
Pass 24 Jan 2025 57,999 miles
Pass 25 Jan 2024 56,998 miles
Pass 27 Jan 2023 55,212 miles
Pass 20 Jan 2022 54,155 miles
Pass 27 Jan 2021 52,775 miles
Pass 6 Feb 2020 49,270 miles
Pass 5 Apr 2017 48,067 miles
Fail 27 Mar 2017 48,053 miles

Brake fluid warning lamp inoperative (3.6.G.2)

Brake warning device not working correctly Park brake warning lamp (3.3.D.3a)

Windscreen wiper does not clear the windscreen effectively (8.2.2)

Pass 29 Jun 2016 47,264 miles
Pass 26 May 2015 46,137 miles
Pass 16 May 2014 45,019 miles
Pass 17 May 2013 43,631 miles
Pass 21 May 2012 40,872 miles
Pass 23 Apr 2011 40,367 miles
Pass 12 Apr 2010 39,666 miles

Nearside Front Direction indicators slightly discoloured (1.4.A.2f)

Pass 25 Aug 2009 38,568 miles
Pass 28 Aug 2008 37,671 miles
Pass 14 Aug 2007 36,459 miles
Pass 22 Aug 2006 35,254 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

R281 AKK is a 1997 Mercedes-benz Sl in Silver with a 4,973cc petrol engine. This vehicle has been through 20 MOT tests with a personal pass rate of 95%.

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 performed better than the average for its year.

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 R281 AKK, 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 R281 AKK?

You can check the full history of R281 AKK by running a full vehicle check. This shows you finance, stolen, write-off, MOT history, mileage records and more.

What year was R281 AKK registered?

R281 AKK is a 1997 Mercedes-benz Sl, first registered on 31 December 1997.

Is R281 AKK safe to buy?

The MOT history for R281 AKK shows 20 tests with a 95% pass rate. To check for outstanding finance, stolen markers, write-off history and mileage discrepancies, run a full vehicle check.

Does R281 AKK 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 R281 AKK. 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.