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S261 AAW

1998 Mercedes-benz Sl

Blue Petrol 3199cc
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MOT Status

Expired
Expires13 Jun 2025
Tests25 (17 pass, 8 fail)
Pass rate68%

Mileage

147,488 mi
Last recorded147,488 miles
Recorded on10 Jun 2025
Typical for 1998 Mercedes-benz Sl74,108 mi

Significantly above average — investigate

4 checks still locked for this Mercedes-benz
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Vehicle Details

RegistrationS261 AAW
MakeMercedes-benz
ModelSl
Year1998
ColourBlue
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
Fail 10 Jun 2025 147,488 miles

Nearside Front Brake pad(s) worn down to wear indicator (1.1.13 (a) (i))

Nearside Front Tyre not fitted in accordance with side wall instructions Rotational Tyre Fitted Incorrectly (5.2.3 (i))

Nearside Rear Brake pad(s) worn down to wear indicator (1.1.13 (a) (i))

Offside Front Brake pad(s) worn down to wear indicator (1.1.13 (a) (i))

Offside Front Headlamp not working on dipped beam (4.1.1 (a) (ii))

Offside Rear Brake pad(s) worn down to wear indicator (1.1.13 (a) (i))

Central Rear Upper Stop lamp(s) non-obligatory stop lamp not working (4.3.1 (a) (ii))

Engine Sump Repaired Previously

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

Nearside Front Direction indicator slightly discoloured Cracked Lens With Small Hole (4.4.3 (a))

Nearside Front Inner Tyre worn close to legal limit/worn on edge 225/55/16 (5.2.3 (e))

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

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

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

Offside Front Direction indicator slightly discoloured (4.4.3 (a))

Offside Front Inner Tyre worn close to legal limit/worn on edge 225/55/16 (5.2.3 (e))

Offside Front Shock absorbers has a reduced damping effect (5.3.2 (d))

Offside Rear Tyre worn close to legal limit/worn on edge 225/55/16 (5.2.3 (e))

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

Pass 14 Jun 2024 144,101 miles

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

Nearside Front Direction indicator slightly discoloured lens cracked (4.4.3 (a))

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

Offside Front Direction indicator slightly discoloured (4.4.3 (a))

Offside Rear Brake pad(s) wearing thin (1.1.13 (a) (ii))

Pass 19 May 2023 141,819 miles

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

Front Brake pad(s) wearing thin (1.1.13 (a) (ii))

Nearside Front Wheel bearing has slight play (5.1.3 (a) (i))

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

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

Fail 12 Apr 2023 141,721 miles

Central Stop lamp(s) not working (4.3.1 (a) (ii))

Driver's seat fore and aft adjustment mechanism not functioning as intended. (6.2.5 (b) (i))

Offside Front Anti-roll bar pin or bush excessively worn (5.3.4 (a) (i))

Offside Front Wheel bearing has excessive play (5.1.3 (a) (i))

Offside Stop lamp(s) not working (4.3.1 (a) (ii))

Offside Front Anti-roll bar attachment bracket/mounting missing (5.3.3 (a) (ii)) DANGEROUS

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

Front Brake pad(s) wearing thin (1.1.13 (a) (ii))

Nearside Front Wheel bearing has slight play (5.1.3 (a) (i))

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

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

Rear Brake pad(s) wearing thin (1.1.13 (a) (ii))

Pass 7 Apr 2022 133,254 miles

Central Stop lamp(s) non-obligatory stop lamp not working (4.3.1 (a) (ii))

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

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

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

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

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

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

Fail 24 Mar 2022 133,223 miles

Offside Front Bumper insecure (6.1.4 (a) (i))

Offside Front Suspension component mounting prescribed area excessively corroded significantly reducing structural strength (5.3.6 (a) (i))

Alternator casing broken and some missing

Central Exhaust mounting defective Mount to gearbox (6.1.2 (a))

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

Nearside Front Bumper mountings corroded but not likely to become detached (6.1.4 (a) (i))

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

Non obligatory mirror damaged Missing ()

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

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

Offside Registration plate lamp inoperative in the case of multiple lamps or light sources (4.7.1 (b) (i))

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

Rear Fuel Pipe/s corroded ()

Stop lamp(s) non-obligatory stop lamp not working (4.3.1 (a) (ii))

Pass 4 Feb 2021 126,212 miles

Central (Exhaust silencer corroded but securely mounted at time of test)

Central Stop lamp(s) non-obligatory stop lamp not working (4.3.1 (a) (ii))

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

Nearside Front (Brake disc backplate missing)

Nearside Front (Steering pivot point/ball joint has slight play)

Nearside Rear Brake hose slightly deteriorated (1.1.12 (b) (ii))

Nearside Rear Tyre has a cut but not deep enough to reach the ply or cords (Tyre also low on tread) (5.2.3 (d) (i))

Offside Rear Brake hose slightly deteriorated (1.1.12 (b) (ii))

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

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

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

Fail 4 Feb 2021 126,212 miles

Central (Exhaust silencer corroded but securely mounted at time of test)

Central Stop lamp(s) non-obligatory stop lamp not working (4.3.1 (a) (ii))

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

Nearside Front (Brake disc backplate missing)

Nearside Front (Steering pivot point/ball joint has slight play)

Nearside Headlamp aim too high (4.1.2 (a))

Nearside Rear Brake hose slightly deteriorated (1.1.12 (b) (ii))

Nearside Rear Tyre has a cut but not deep enough to reach the ply or cords (Tyre also low on tread) (5.2.3 (d) (i))

Offside Rear Brake hose slightly deteriorated (1.1.12 (b) (ii))

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

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

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

Fail 21 Oct 2020 126,107 miles

Driver's seat fore and aft adjustment mechanism not functioning as intended. (6.2.5 (b) (i))

Nearside Side repeater incorrect colour (4.4.3 (a))

Offside Front Wheel bearing rough when rotated (5.1.3 (b) (i))

Offside Side repeater light intensity significantly reduced (4.4.3 (a))

(Central rear view mirror missing)

Central (Exhaust silencer box corroded)

Central Stop lamp(s) non-obligatory stop lamp not working (4.3.1 (a) (ii))

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

Nearside Front Bumper mountings corroded but not likely to become detached (Bumper loose but not likely to become detached) (6.1.4 (a) (i))

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

Nearside Rear Brake hose slightly deteriorated (1.1.12 (b) (ii))

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

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

Nearside Rear Tyre worn close to legal limit/worn on edge (On 3mm & inner edge worn) (5.2.3 (e))

Offside Rear Brake hose slightly deteriorated (1.1.12 (b) (ii))

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

Offside Rear Tyre worn close to legal limit/worn on edge (On 3mm & inner edge worn) (5.2.3 (e))

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

Supplementary restraint system warning lamp does not illuminate (7.1.6 (a))

Pass 22 Oct 2019 122,065 miles

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

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

General Corrosion under vehicle

Nearside Rear Brake hose slightly deteriorated (1.1.12 (b) (ii))

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

Offside Rear Brake hose slightly deteriorated (1.1.12 (b) (ii))

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

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

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

Rear Fuel Pipe/s corroded ()

Fail 18 Oct 2019 122,050 miles

Nearside Front Track rod end ball joint has excessive play (2.1.3 (b) (i))

Supplementary restraint system warning lamp indicates a fault (7.1.6 (a))

Nearside Rear Valve stem seriously damaged (5.2.3 (j)) DANGEROUS

Offside Rear Valve stem seriously damaged (5.2.3 (j)) DANGEROUS

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

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

General Corrosion under vehicle

Nearside Rear Brake hose slightly deteriorated (1.1.12 (b) (ii))

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

Offside Rear Brake hose slightly deteriorated (1.1.12 (b) (ii))

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

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

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

Rear Fuel Pipe/s corroded ()

Pass 3 Aug 2018 115,928 miles

Nearside Front Macpherson strut pin or bush worn but not resulting in excessive movement (5.3.4 (a) (i))

Nearside Fuel Pipe/s corroded ()

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

Offside Front Macpherson strut pin or bush worn but not resulting in excessive movement (5.3.4 (a) (i))

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

Pass 1 Aug 2017 109,240 miles

Both front tyres worn on edges (225 55 16W)

Fuel pipes at rear corroded

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

Fail 31 Jul 2017 109,226 miles

Fuel cap/sealing device sealing washer deteriorated (7.2.4c)

Both front tyres worn on edges (225 55 16W)

Driver's door catch deteriorated so the door cannot be readily opened or closed (6.2.B.2)

Fuel pipes at rear corroded

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

Pass 2 Aug 2016 101,694 miles

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

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

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

Nearside Rear Brake hose slightly deteriorated (3.6.B.4d)

Nearside Rear Nail in tyre ()

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

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

Offside Rear Brake hose slightly deteriorated (3.6.B.4d)

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

Windscreen has damage to an area less than a 40mm circle outside zone 'A' (8.3.1d)

all four tyres wearing on edges

Pass 19 May 2015 97,286 miles

Front Subframe mounting prescribed area is corroded but not considered excessive (2.4.A.3)

nearside rear tyre perished

Fail 28 Apr 2015 97,183 miles

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

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

Nearside Front Suspension arm has slight play in a pin/bush (2.4.G.2)

Offside Front Shock absorber has a light misting of oil (2.7.3)

rear fuel lines corroded

Pass 29 Oct 2013 95,227 miles

Nearside Rear Brake hose slightly deteriorated (3.6.B.4d)

Offside Rear Brake hose slightly deteriorated (3.6.B.4d)

nearside front tyre slightly perished on outter sidewall

Pass 29 Oct 2012 94,983 miles

Centre / rear silencer rusted

Fuel pipe/s corroded

Nearside rear brake disc has surface rust

Under-trays fitted obscuring some underside components

Pass 26 Sep 2011 94,583 miles

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

Nearside Front position lamp(s) deteriorated, but still visible from a reasonable distance (1.1.A.3d)

Rear brake discs pitted and scored

Pass 28 Sep 2010 93,143 miles

Fuel pipe/s corroded

N/S Rear Disc scored and pitted

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

Pass 10 Oct 2009 90,644 miles

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

Pass 8 Oct 2008 89,322 miles
Pass 11 Oct 2007 86,926 miles

Centre rear light inoperative but no wiring visible(benefit of doubt given.)

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

Pass 28 Sep 2006 77,250 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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S261 AAW is a 1998 Mercedes-benz Sl in Blue 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 S261 AAW, 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 S261 AAW?

You can check the full history of S261 AAW by running a full vehicle check. This shows you finance, stolen, write-off, MOT history, mileage records and more.

What year was S261 AAW registered?

S261 AAW is a 1998 Mercedes-benz Sl, first registered on 5 August 1998.

Is S261 AAW safe to buy?

The MOT history for S261 AAW 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 S261 AAW 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 S261 AAW. 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.