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R74 FOS

1997 Mercedes-benz Sl

Silver Petrol 3199cc
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MOT Status

Expired
Expires7 Jul 2026
Tests26 (19 pass, 7 fail)
Pass rate73.1%

Mileage

116,342 mi
Last recorded116,342 miles
Recorded on3 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
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Vehicle Details

RegistrationR74 FOS
MakeMercedes-benz
ModelSl
Year1997
ColourSilver
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

19 pass 7 fail
Pass 3 Jul 2025 116,342 miles

Front Brake pipe corroded, covered in grease or other material pipes at abs unit behind o/s/f wheel (1.1.11 (c))

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

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

Oil leak, but not excessive at engine area (8.4.1 (a) (i))

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

advise o/s/r sill/jacking point area corroded holed but not yet considered excessive as yet

Fail 24 Jun 2025 116,338 miles

Brake pipe leaking on a hydraulic braking system front to rear (1.1.11 (b) (ii)) DANGEROUS

Front Brake pipe corroded, covered in grease or other material pipes at abs unit behind o/s/f wheel (1.1.11 (c))

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

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

Oil leak, but not excessive at engine area (8.4.1 (a) (i))

advise o/s/r sill/jacking point area corroded holed but not yet considered excessive as yet

Pass 1 Jul 2024 115,570 miles

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

Oil leak, but not excessive at engine area (8.4.1 (a) (i))

advise o/s/r sill area minor surface rusting at jacking point

Pass 27 Jun 2023 114,521 miles
Pass 4 Jul 2022 113,655 miles

Offside Front wheel bearing slight play

Pass 23 Jun 2021 112,248 miles

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

advise metal brake pipes at abs pump unit

advise minor play in rear stableizer arms

advise oil sweat at engine and gearbox area

Pass 8 Jul 2020 111,568 miles

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

advise minor play nearside rear support bar

advise oil leaks at gearbox and engine area

advise rusting to brake pipes at abs unit area

Pass 4 Jul 2019 111,295 miles

advise all suspension pipes corroding but not excessive

advise oil leak from engine requires attention

Fail 26 Jun 2019 111,290 miles

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

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

Rear Suspension pipe leaking (5.3.5 (c))

advise all suspension pipes corroding but not excessive

advise oil leak from engine requires attention

Pass 21 Jun 2018 110,642 miles

advise front metal brake pipes slight rusting

advise minor oil sweat at engine area

advise minor play front rear wishbone arm bushes

advise slight misting or suspension fluid at rear

Pass 4 Jul 2017 110,114 miles

advise play through nearside front steering idler

advise rear hydraulic pipes

Fail 3 Jul 2017 110,112 miles

Offside Front Front suspension ball joint dust cover excessively damaged so that it no longer prevents the ingress of dirt (2.4.G.2)

Offside Side repeater not working (1.4.A.2c)

advise play through nearside front steering idler

advise rear hydraulic pipes

Pass 20 Jun 2016 109,621 miles

advise corrosion on front wings

advise engine oil leak

advise minimum play front hub areas

advise rusting to front metal brake pipes

Pass 15 Jul 2015 108,535 miles

advise exhaust condition rusting

advise minor play off side front ball joint

advise slight rusting to metal brake pipes

advise suspension pipes rusting

Fail 8 Jul 2015 108,535 miles

Offside Front Lower Suspension arm ball joint dust cover excessively deteriorated so that it no longer prevents the ingress of dirt (2.4.G.2)

Power steering component(s) leaking (2.3.3b)

Service brake: service brake efficiency only just met. It would appear that the braking system requires adjustment or repair. (3.7.B.7)

advise exhaust system general condition

advise o/s/f metal brake pipe @ wheel arch area

advise rear metal brake pipes slight rusting

advise rear suspension pipes slight rusting

advise slight play in o/s/f lower ball joint

advise slight play through both front hub area's

Fail 3 Jul 2015 108,531 miles

Nearside Rear Brake hose inappropriately repaired (3.6.A.3)

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

Power steering component(s) leaking (2.3.3b)

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

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

Pass 25 Jun 2014 107,687 miles

Engine covers fitted obscuring some components in the engine bay

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

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

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

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

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

Under-trays fitted obscuring some underside components

Pass 5 Jul 2013 106,806 miles

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

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

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

oil leaking from engine

Fail 5 Jul 2013 106,806 miles

Anti-lock braking system warning lamp indicates an ABS fault (3.4.1c)

Nearside Front Anti-roll bar rubber bush deteriorated resulting in excessive movement (2.4.G.2)

Offside Front Anti-roll bar rubber bush deteriorated resulting in excessive movement (2.4.G.2)

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

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

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

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

oil leaking from engine

Pass 3 Jul 2012 105,852 miles

Nearside Front Anti-roll bar rubber bush deteriorated but not resulting in excessive movement (2.4.G.2)

Offside Front Anti-roll bar rubber bush deteriorated but not resulting in excessive movement (2.4.G.2)

Pass 16 Jun 2011 103,719 miles

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

Nearside Front Anti-roll bar rubber bush deteriorated but not resulting in excessive movement (2.4.G.2)

Offside Front Anti-roll bar rubber bush deteriorated but not resulting in excessive movement (2.4.G.2)

Pass 28 Jun 2010 102,219 miles

advise metal brake pipes

Pass 1 Jun 2009 97,139 miles

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

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

Pass 1 Jun 2007 81,729 miles
Fail 31 May 2007 81,729 miles

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

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

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

Nail in offside rear tyre

Pass 18 May 2006 69,589 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

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R74 FOS is a 1997 Mercedes-benz Sl in Silver with a 3,199cc petrol engine. This vehicle has been through 26 MOT tests with a personal pass rate of 73.1%.

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 R74 FOS, 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 R74 FOS?

You can check the full history of R74 FOS by running a full vehicle check. This shows you finance, stolen, write-off, MOT history, mileage records and more.

What year was R74 FOS registered?

R74 FOS is a 1997 Mercedes-benz Sl, first registered on 31 December 1997.

Is R74 FOS safe to buy?

The MOT history for R74 FOS shows 26 tests with a 73.1% pass rate. To check for outstanding finance, stolen markers, write-off history and mileage discrepancies, run a full vehicle check.

Does R74 FOS 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 R74 FOS. 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.