CarVerify
CarVerify
Sign in Check a vehicle

Free Car Check

R40 JOE

1997 Mercedes-benz Sl

Silver Petrol 2799cc
Search another vehicle

MOT Status

Valid
Expires9 Apr 2027
Tests26 (21 pass, 5 fail)
Pass rate80.8%

Mileage

101,198 mi
Last recorded101,198 miles
Recorded on10 Apr 2026
Typical for 1997 Mercedes-benz Sl79,403 mi

Above 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

RegistrationR40 JOE
MakeMercedes-benz
ModelSl
Year1997
ColourSilver
Fuel typePetrol
Engine2,799cc
View full Mercedes-benz Sl reliability data Browse other 1997 Mercedes-benz Sl registrations

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

21 pass 5 fail
Pass 10 Apr 2026 101,198 miles

Nearside Front Anti-roll bar pin or bush worn but not resulting in excessive movement (5.3.4 (a) (i))

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

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

Offside Front Anti-roll bar pin or bush worn but not resulting in excessive movement (5.3.4 (a) (i))

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

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

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

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

Pass 2 Jul 2025 100,108 miles

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Fail 2 Jul 2025 100,108 miles

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Pass 30 Jul 2024 98,330 miles

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

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

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

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

Pass 24 Jul 2023 94,822 miles

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

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

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

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

Pass 22 Jul 2022 91,413 miles

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

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

Nearside Front Lower Suspension arm ball joint has slight play (5.3.4 (a) (i))

Nearside Rear Shock absorbers has light misting of oil (5.3.2 (b))

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

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

Offside Rear Shock absorbers has light misting of oil (5.3.2 (b))

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

Pass 23 Jun 2021 89,889 miles
Pass 27 Jul 2020 89,005 miles

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Pass 12 Jul 2019 87,088 miles

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

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

Nearside Rear Shock absorbers light misting of oil or has limited damping effect (5.3.2 (b))

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

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

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

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

Fail 12 Jul 2019 87,088 miles

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

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

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

Nearside Rear Shock absorbers light misting of oil or has limited damping effect (5.3.2 (b))

Nearside Side repeater incorrect colour (4.4.3 (a))

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

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

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

Offside Rear Position lamp not working (4.2.1 (a) (ii))

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

Offside Side repeater incorrect colour (4.4.3 (a))

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

Pass 18 Jul 2018 84,598 miles
Pass 12 Jul 2017 82,430 miles
Pass 15 Jul 2016 80,533 miles

both rear tyres cracked and perished

Fail 15 Jul 2016 80,533 miles

Nearside Stop lamp not working (1.2.1b)

both rear tyres cracked and perished

Pass 16 Jul 2015 78,822 miles
Fail 15 Jul 2015 78,822 miles

Front Brake pad(s) less than 1.5 mm thick (3.5.1g)

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

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

Pass 22 Jul 2014 76,520 miles
Pass 1 Aug 2013 74,361 miles

both rear tyres cracking between treadblocks

Pass 31 Jul 2012 72,566 miles

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

Pass 27 Jul 2011 72,015 miles
Fail 27 Jul 2011 72,015 miles

Stop lamp not working (1.2.1b)

Pass 20 Jul 2010 70,363 miles
Pass 20 Jul 2009 69,425 miles
Pass 24 Jul 2008 68,917 miles
Pass 12 Jul 2007 68,149 miles

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)

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

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

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

Oil leak

offside rear brake flex hose ferrule slightly corroded

Pass 6 Jul 2006 67,386 miles

n/s+o/s front tyres slight sidewall cracking n/s rear slight sidewall damage and close to limit

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.

Get full report — £4.99 Single check — £14.99
£30k guarantee Instant results Cancel anytime

R40 JOE is a 1997 Mercedes-benz Sl in Silver with a 2,799cc petrol engine. This vehicle has been through 26 MOT tests with a personal pass rate of 80.8%.

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 R40 JOE, 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 R40 JOE?

You can check the full history of R40 JOE by running a full vehicle check. This shows you finance, stolen, write-off, MOT history, mileage records and more.

What year was R40 JOE registered?

R40 JOE is a 1997 Mercedes-benz Sl, first registered on 1 August 1997.

Is R40 JOE safe to buy?

The MOT history for R40 JOE shows 26 tests with a 80.8% pass rate. To check for outstanding finance, stolen markers, write-off history and mileage discrepancies, run a full vehicle check.

Does R40 JOE 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 R40 JOE. 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.