1999 · 25 years old at test · Petrol mostly

1999 Mercedes-Benz SL MOT pass rate and common faults

543 MOT tests in 2024. 81.4% passed first time, compared with 63.3% for all cars the same age.

129Well above average
Passed first time81.4%
Failed or needed repairs18.6%
Typical mileage at test82,000

Most common reasons for failing

Share of all 543 tests where this item caused a failure.

  1. Suspension arms - ball joint dust cover: ball joint dust cover no longer prevents the ingress of dirt5.0%
  2. Wipers: does not clear the windscreen effectively1.3%
  3. Rigid brake pipes: excessively corroded0.9%
  4. Headlamp: not working on dipped beam0.7%
  5. Service brake performance: efficiency below requirements0.7%
  6. Catalyst emissions: Lambda reading after 2nd fast idle outside specified limits0.7%
  7. Stop lamp: not working0.7%
  8. Position lamp: not working0.7%
  9. Tyres - condition: has a tear, caused by separation or partial failure of its structure0.7%
    9 marked dangerous
  10. Anti-lock braking system: warning lamp indicates an ABS fault0.6%

Problem areas

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

  1. Lights & electrics10.9%
  2. Suspension7.7%
  3. Brakes6.6%
  4. Visibility (wipers, screen, mirrors)3.3%
  5. Emissions & leaks2.6%
  6. Tyres2.2%
  7. Steering1.5%
  8. Body & chassis1.3%

Most common advisories

Not failures yet, but things the tester warned about.

  1. Rigid brake pipes: excessively corroded13.8%
  2. Engine oil leaks: leaking excessively from engine8.8%
  3. Tyres - condition: has a tear, caused by separation or partial failure of its structure8.7%
  4. Tread depth below requirements of 1.6mm6.3%
  5. Sub-frame: corroded and seriously weakened6.1%

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 1999 Mercedes-Benz SL?

In 2024, 81.4% of 1999 Mercedes-Benz SL cars passed their MOT first time, across 543 tests. The average for all 25-year-old cars was 63.3%.

What are the most common MOT failures on a 1999 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; wipers: does not clear the windscreen effectively; rigid brake pipes: excessively corroded. The biggest problem area was lights & electrics.

Is the 1999 Mercedes-Benz SL reliable at MOT time?

Its MOT Rank score is 129, which is well above average for a car of its age (100 means exactly average).