CarVerify

Free Car Check

R304 JAR

1998 Mercedes-benz Sl

Black Petrol 3199cc
Search another vehicle

MOT Status

Valid
Expires2 Sep 2027
Tests25 (17 pass, 8 fail)
Pass rate68%

Mileage

138,574 mi
Last recorded138,574 miles
Recorded on3 Sep 2026
Typical for 1998 Mercedes-benz Sl74,108 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

RegistrationR304 JAR
MakeMercedes-benz
ModelSl
Year1998
ColourBlack
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

17 pass 8 fail
Pass 3 Sep 2026 138,574 miles
Pass 15 Jan 2025 137,005 miles

Brake disc worn, pitted or scored, but not seriously weakened All 4 sides (1.1.14 (a) (ii))

Pass 23 Jun 2021 104,759 miles

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

Front Windscreen damaged but not adversely affecting driver's view stonechip (3.2 (a) (i))

general under body corrosion under seal has been applied

Pass 17 Jun 2020 104,173 miles
Fail 17 Jun 2020 104,173 miles

Windscreen washer not working (3.5 (a))

Pass 13 Feb 2019 102,816 miles

Exhaust has a minor leak of exhaust gases (6.1.2 (a))

Exhaust mounting defective (6.1.2 (a))

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

Front subframe corroded

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

Nearside Front Suspension arm ball joint dust cover severely deteriorated (5.3.4 (b) (i))

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

Offside Front Suspension arm ball joint dust cover severely deteriorated (5.3.4 (b) (i))

corrosion around front and rear suspension

underbody heavily corroded

Fail 5 Feb 2019 102,814 miles

Brake pedal has insufficient reserve travel (1.1.2 (a))

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

Nearside Front Direction indicator incorrect colour (4.4.3 (a))

Offside Front Direction indicator incorrect colour (4.4.3 (a))

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

Service brake excessively fluctuating (1.2.1 (e))

Rear Brake disc in such a condition that it is seriously weakened (1.1.14 (a) (ii)) DANGEROUS

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

Exhaust has a minor leak of exhaust gases (6.1.2 (a))

Exhaust mounting defective (6.1.2 (a))

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

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

Front subframe corroded

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

Nearside Front Suspension arm ball joint dust cover severely deteriorated (5.3.4 (b) (i))

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

Offside Front Suspension arm ball joint dust cover severely deteriorated (5.3.4 (b) (i))

corrosion around front and rear suspension

underbody heavily corroded

Pass 10 Nov 2017 102,745 miles

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

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

Oil leak

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

corrosion around front suspension

corrosion around rear suspension

Fail 10 Nov 2017 102,745 miles

Offside Rear rear brake binding (3.7.B.1)

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

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

Oil leak

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

corrosion around front suspension

corrosion around rear suspension

Pass 7 Nov 2016 102,525 miles

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

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

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

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

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

Fail 7 Nov 2016 102,519 miles

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

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

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

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

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

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

Pass 27 Oct 2015 102,306 miles

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

Exhaust system corroded

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

Rear Sub-frame corroded but not seriously weakened (2.4.G.1)

Fail 15 Oct 2015 102,304 miles

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

Steering box has a significant oil leak (2.2.D.2e)

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

Exhaust system corroded

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

Rear Sub-frame corroded but not seriously weakened (2.4.G.1)

Pass 8 Oct 2014 102,089 miles

offside play in nearside strut

Fail 1 Oct 2014 102,089 miles

Bonnet retaining device ineffective (8.4.2)

Nearside Front Tyre has a cut in excess of the requirements deep enough to reach the ply or cords (4.1.D.1a)

Nearside Rear Tyre has a cut in excess of the requirements deep enough to reach the ply or cords (4.1.D.1a)

Offside Front Tyre has a cut in excess of the requirements deep enough to reach the ply or cords (4.1.D.1a)

Offside Rear Tyre has a cut in excess of the requirements deep enough to reach the ply or cords (4.1.D.1a)

offside play in nearside strut

Pass 27 Sep 2013 102,039 miles

corrosion exhaust

front reg plate slight detiroation

rear discs surface rust

slight corrosion brake pipes

slight play in n/s/f wheelbearing

Fail 26 Sep 2013 102,039 miles

Exhaust emissions Lambda reading after 2nd fast idle outside specified limits (7.3.D.3)

Nearside Headlamp aim too low (1.8)

Offside Headlamp aim too low (1.8)

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

corrosion exhaust

engine missfire

front reg plate slight detiroation

rear discs surface rust

slight corrosion brake pipes

slight play in n/s/f wheelbearing

Pass 27 Sep 2012 101,705 miles

exhaust system corroded

rear brake discs corroded

rear brake hoses perrished

slight play both front wheel bearings

Pass 29 Jul 2011 99,848 miles
Pass 13 Jul 2010 99,730 miles

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

Pass 20 Apr 2009 99,138 miles
Fail 26 Feb 2008 97,241 miles

Offside Front Headlamp not working on dipped beam (1.7.5a)

Pass 26 Feb 2008 97,241 miles
Pass 1 Feb 2007 89,077 miles
Pass 27 Feb 2006 83,892 miles

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

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

R304 JAR is a 1998 Mercedes-benz Sl in Black with a 3,199cc petrol engine. This vehicle has been through 25 MOT tests with a personal pass rate of 68%.

Across all 1998 Mercedes-benz Sl models, the average MOT pass rate is 82.5% with a typical mileage of 74,108 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 R304 JAR, 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 28 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 R304 JAR?

You can check the full history of R304 JAR by running a full vehicle check. This shows you finance, stolen, write-off, MOT history, mileage records and more.

What year was R304 JAR registered?

R304 JAR is a 1998 Mercedes-benz Sl, first registered on 31 December 1998.

Is R304 JAR safe to buy?

The MOT history for R304 JAR shows 25 tests with a 68% pass rate. To check for outstanding finance, stolen markers, write-off history and mileage discrepancies, run a full vehicle check.

Does R304 JAR 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 R304 JAR. 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.