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R51 CGU

1997 Mercedes-benz Sl

Black Petrol 4973cc
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MOT Status

Expired
Expires17 Sep 2026
Tests21 (16 pass, 5 fail)
Pass rate76.2%

Mileage

146,594 mi
Last recorded146,594 miles
Recorded on18 Sep 2025
Typical for 1997 Mercedes-benz Sl79,403 mi

Significantly above average — investigate

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

RegistrationR51 CGU
MakeMercedes-benz
ModelSl
Year1997
ColourBlack
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

16 pass 5 fail
Pass 18 Sep 2025 146,594 miles

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

Front Power steering component has slight seepage from a component (2.1.5 (a))

Front Registration plate deteriorated but not likely to be misread (0.1 (b))

Front Windscreen damaged but not adversely affecting driver's view small crack in screen (3.2 (a) (i))

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

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

Fail 12 Jul 2025 146,579 miles

Exhaust carbon monoxide content at idle exceeds manufacturer's specified limits (8.2.1.2 (b))

Exhaust hydrocarbon content after 2nd fast idle exceeds manufacturer's specified limits (8.2.1.2 (a))

Nearside Headlamp aim too low (4.1.2 (a))

Nearside Side repeater incorrect colour (4.4.3 (a))

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

Offside Headlamp aim too low (4.1.2 (a))

Offside Side repeater incorrect colour (4.4.3 (a))

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

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

Pass 2 Mar 2024 144,052 miles

minor corrosion on underside components

Pass 3 Mar 2022 138,397 miles

Power steering noisy in operation

Pass 10 Feb 2021 133,402 miles
Fail 17 May 2019 133,402 miles

Nearside Front Vehicle structure corroded to the extent that the rigidity of the assembly is significantly reduced marked in yellow (6.1.1 (c) (i))

Nearside Rear Road wheel fixing missing (5.2.1 (a) (i))

Offside Front Vehicle structure corroded to the extent that the rigidity of the assembly is significantly reduced inner wheel arch marked in yellow crayon (6.1.1 (c) (i))

Offside Rear Road wheel fixing missing (5.2.1 (a) (i))

Offside Front Tyre has a lump, caused by separation or partial failure of its structure outer wall (5.2.3 (d) (ii)) DANGEROUS

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

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

Nearside Side repeater slightly discoloured (4.4.3 (a))

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

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

Offside Side repeater slightly discoloured (4.4.3 (a))

Pass 11 Dec 2017 133,219 miles

Both rear brake pads are wearing thin

Nearside front tyre is on 2mm and has inner wear

Rear exhaust corroded

Fail 11 Dec 2017 133,219 miles

Both rear brake pads are wearing thin

Nearside front tyre is on 2mm and has inner wear

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

Rear exhaust corroded

Pass 27 Oct 2016 127,014 miles

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

Pass 2 Mar 2016 124,102 miles

exhaust back box slightly corroded

Pass 27 Jan 2015 118,066 miles

Offside Front Lower Track rod end ball joint has slight play (2.2.B.1f)

Pass 7 Dec 2013 112,080 miles
Pass 10 May 2012 100,977 miles
Pass 4 Mar 2011 93,681 miles
Pass 15 Feb 2010 86,593 miles
Fail 15 Feb 2010 86,591 miles

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

Fail 1 Feb 2010 86,538 miles

Nearside Rear coil spring incomplete (2.4.C.1a)

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

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

high level stop lamp not working

Pass 29 Jan 2009 79,294 miles
Pass 30 Jul 2008 77,821 miles
Pass 25 Jul 2007 72,840 miles

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

Front brake disc slightly scored (3.5.1h)

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

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

Nail in nearside rear tyre

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

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

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

both front tyres scrubbed TRACKING OUT?

front discs lipped

Pass 11 Aug 2006 60,172 miles

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

Offside Front Direction indicator slightly discoloured (1.4.A.2f)

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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R51 CGU is a 1997 Mercedes-benz Sl in Black with a 4,973cc petrol engine. This vehicle has been through 21 MOT tests with a personal pass rate of 76.2%.

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 R51 CGU, 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 R51 CGU?

You can check the full history of R51 CGU by running a full vehicle check. This shows you finance, stolen, write-off, MOT history, mileage records and more.

What year was R51 CGU registered?

R51 CGU is a 1997 Mercedes-benz Sl, first registered on 31 December 1997.

Is R51 CGU safe to buy?

The MOT history for R51 CGU shows 21 tests with a 76.2% pass rate. To check for outstanding finance, stolen markers, write-off history and mileage discrepancies, run a full vehicle check.

Does R51 CGU 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 R51 CGU. 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.