1994 · 30 years old at test · Petrol mostly

1994 Mercedes-Benz SL MOT pass rate and common faults

392 MOT tests in 2024. 81.6% passed first time, compared with 67.5% for all cars the same age.

121Well above average
Passed first time81.6%
Failed or needed repairs18.4%
Typical mileage at test91,000

Most common reasons for failing

Share of all 392 tests where this item caused a failure.

  1. Suspension arms - ball joint dust cover: ball joint dust cover no longer prevents the ingress of dirt1.5%
  2. Rear fog lamp: not working1.3%
  3. Rigid brake pipes: excessively corroded1.3%
  4. Tyres - condition: has a tear, caused by separation or partial failure of its structure1.3%
    16 marked dangerous
  5. Wipers: does not clear the windscreen effectively1.3%
  6. Side repeaters: not working1.0%
  7. SRS malfunction indicator lamp: warning lamp indicates a fault1.0%
  8. Catalyst emissions: carbon monoxide content after 2nd fast idle exceeds default limits1.0%
  9. Tyres - condition: has a cut in excess of the requirements deep enough to reach the ply or cords1.0%
  10. Position lamp: not working0.8%

Problem areas

Failure items found per 100 tests, by part of the car.

  1. Lights & electrics12.2%
  2. Brakes7.4%
  3. Emissions & leaks4.6%
  4. Suspension3.6%
  5. Tyres2.8%
  6. Visibility (wipers, screen, mirrors)2.6%
  7. Body & chassis1.8%
  8. Seat belts & airbags1.3%

Most common advisories

Not failures yet, but things the tester warned about.

  1. Engine oil leaks: leaking excessively from engine16.3%
  2. Rigid brake pipes: excessively corroded12.5%
  3. Tyres - condition: has a tear, caused by separation or partial failure of its structure7.7%
  4. Coil spring: corroded so that its cross sectional area is reduced and seriously weakened6.9%
  5. Tread depth below requirements of 1.6mm6.9%

What this means if you are buying one

This model year does better than most cars its age, so it is a reasonable used buy on MOT record alone. Before buying, check the area that fails most: suspension arms - ball joint dust cover: ball joint dust cover no longer prevents the ingress of dirt. Then look up the car's own MOT history on GOV.UK with its number plate, and look for repeat advisories.

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Questions

What is the MOT pass rate for a 1994 Mercedes-Benz SL?

In 2024, 81.6% of 1994 Mercedes-Benz SL cars passed their MOT first time, across 392 tests. The average for all 30-year-old cars was 67.5%.

What are the most common MOT failures on a 1994 Mercedes-Benz SL?

The most common failure reasons were suspension arms - ball joint dust cover: ball joint dust cover no longer prevents the ingress of dirt; rear fog lamp: not working; rigid brake pipes: excessively corroded. The biggest problem area was lights & electrics.

Is the 1994 Mercedes-Benz SL reliable at MOT time?

Its MOT Rank score is 121, which is well above average for a car of its age (100 means exactly average).