CarVerify

Free Car Check

R780 UKP

1997 Mercedes-benz Sl

Blue Petrol 2799cc
Search another vehicle

MOT Status

Valid
Expires22 Sep 2027
Tests23 (18 pass, 5 fail)
Pass rate78.3%

Mileage

149,680 mi
Last recorded149,680 miles
Recorded on23 Sep 2026
Typical for 1997 Mercedes-benz Sl79,403 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

RegistrationR780 UKP
MakeMercedes-benz
ModelSl
Year1997
ColourBlue
Fuel typePetrol
Engine2,799cc

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

18 pass 5 fail
Pass 23 Sep 2026 149,680 miles

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

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

Front Suspension component ball joint dust cover severely deteriorated both sides (5.3.4 (b) (i))

Front Suspension component corroded but not seriously weakened both sides (5.3.3 (b) (i))

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

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

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

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

Rear Suspension component corroded but not seriously weakened both sides (5.3.3 (b) (i))

Pass 17 Apr 2025 149,260 miles

Integral body structure is repaired but structural rigidity is not significantly reduced under body covered in under seal (6.1.1 (d) (i))

Pass 1 Aug 2023 149,253 miles

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

Integral body structure is repaired but structural rigidity is not significantly reduced under body and attachments covered in under seal (6.1.1 (d) (i))

Fail 31 Jul 2023 149,246 miles

Offside Front Direction indicator lens defective such that the emitted light is adversely affected (4.4.1 (b) (ii))

Offside Front Bumper likely to become detached (6.1.4 (a) (ii)) DANGEROUS

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

Integral body structure is repaired but structural rigidity is not significantly reduced under body and attachments covered in under seal (6.1.1 (d) (i))

Pass 25 Jul 2022 149,234 miles

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

Rear Sub-frame is corroded but structural rigidity is not significantly reduced (6.1.1 (c) (i))

Rear has slight corrosion

Pass 25 Jan 2021 149,228 miles
Pass 21 Feb 2020 148,907 miles

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

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

Rear subframe has slight surface corrosion

exhaust silencer slightly corroded

Pass 22 Feb 2019 147,760 miles

Nearside Front Brake pipe corroded, covered in grease or other material metal brake pipe from rubber flexible hose (1.1.11 (c))

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

Offside Front Brake pipe corroded, covered in grease or other material metal brake pipe from rubber flexible hose (1.1.11 (c))

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

Offside Rear Brake pipe corroded, covered in grease or other material metal brake pipe from rubber flexible hose (1.1.11 (c))

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

off side and near side rear boot area floor has slight corrosion

Pass 21 Jun 2016 144,500 miles
Fail 21 Jun 2016 144,500 miles

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

Pass 18 May 2015 139,461 miles
Pass 19 May 2014 134,504 miles
Pass 28 May 2013 129,885 miles

Engine covers fitted obscuring some components in the engine bay

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)

Under-trays fitted obscuring some underside components

centre body heat shield insecure

lower sill covers fitted

slight corrosion to centre exhaust box

Pass 28 May 2012 125,056 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)

Oil leak

Under-trays fitted obscuring some underside components

exhaust rusty

Fail 28 May 2012 125,056 miles

Fuel system component leaking (7.2.3)

Nearside Front Body has a sharp edge caused by damage (6.1.C.1)

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)

Oil leak

Under-trays fitted obscuring some underside components

exhaust rusty

Pass 26 May 2011 120,119 miles

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

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

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

Pass 27 May 2010 112,821 miles

Exhaust has part of the system slightly deteriorated (7.1.1a)

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

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

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

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

both rear tyres slightly worn on edges

Fail 5 May 2009 105,121 miles

Front Windscreen wiper does not clear the windscreen effectively (8.2.2)

Nearside Rear Lower Suspension arm rubber bush deteriorated but not resulting in excessive movement (2.4.G.2)

front and rear no plates deteriorating

Pass 5 May 2009 105,121 miles

Nearside Rear Lower Suspension arm rubber bush deteriorated but not resulting in excessive movement (2.4.G.2)

front and rear no plates deteriorating

Pass 29 Apr 2008 97,265 miles

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

Nearside Rear wheel bearing has slight play (2.6.2)

Offside Rear brake disc slightly pitted (3.5.1h)

front and rear no plates deteriorating

Fail 29 Apr 2008 97,265 miles

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

Front Windscreen wiper does not clear the windscreen effectively (8.2.2)

Nearside Rear wheel bearing has slight play (2.6.2)

Offside Rear brake disc slightly pitted (3.5.1h)

front and rear no plates deteriorating

Pass 26 Jul 2006 83,364 miles

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

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

Pass 4 Jul 2005 75,260 miles

N/S/F tyre has cut in side wall but not down to cords

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

R780 UKP is a 1997 Mercedes-benz Sl in Blue with a 2,799cc petrol engine. This vehicle has been through 23 MOT tests with a personal pass rate of 78.3%.

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 R780 UKP, 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 R780 UKP?

You can check the full history of R780 UKP by running a full vehicle check. This shows you finance, stolen, write-off, MOT history, mileage records and more.

What year was R780 UKP registered?

R780 UKP is a 1997 Mercedes-benz Sl, first registered on 31 December 1997.

Is R780 UKP safe to buy?

The MOT history for R780 UKP shows 23 tests with a 78.3% pass rate. To check for outstanding finance, stolen markers, write-off history and mileage discrepancies, run a full vehicle check.

Does R780 UKP 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 R780 UKP. 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.