2002 · 22 years old at test · Petrol mostly

2002 Mercedes-Benz SL MOT pass rate and common faults

940 MOT tests in 2024. 81.4% passed first time, compared with 58.1% for all cars the same age.

140Well above average
Passed first time81.4%
Failed or needed repairs18.6%
Typical mileage at test73,000

Most common reasons for failing

Share of all 940 tests where this item caused a failure.

  1. Suspension arms - ball joint: ball joint excessively worn2.0%
  2. Suspension arms - ball joint dust cover: ball joint dust cover no longer prevents the ingress of dirt1.4%
  3. Shock absorbers: has a serious fluid leak1.2%
  4. SRS malfunction indicator lamp: warning lamp indicates a fault1.1%
  5. Shock absorbers: has an excessively worn bush0.9%
  6. Tyres - condition: has a bulge, caused by separation or partial failure of its structure0.9%
    9 marked dangerous
  7. Tyres - condition: has a tear, caused by separation or partial failure of its structure0.9%
    12 marked dangerous
  8. Track rod end: ball joint has excessive play0.9%
  9. Rigid brake pipes: excessively corroded0.9%
  10. Registration plate lamp(s): inoperative in the case of a single lamp or all lamps0.7%

Problem areas

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

  1. Suspension8.0%
  2. Lights & electrics7.7%
  3. Brakes7.1%
  4. Tyres3.8%
  5. Visibility (wipers, screen, mirrors)3.0%
  6. Emissions & leaks2.4%
  7. Seat belts & airbags1.4%
  8. Steering1.2%

Most common advisories

Not failures yet, but things the tester warned about.

  1. Rigid brake pipes: excessively corroded9.0%
  2. Tread depth below requirements of 1.6mm8.8%
  3. Brake discs: in such a condition that it is seriously weakened7.9%
  4. Tyres - condition: has a tear, caused by separation or partial failure of its structure6.6%
  5. Engine oil leaks: leaking excessively from engine6.1%

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: ball joint excessively worn. Then look up the car's own MOT history on GOV.UK with its number plate, and look for repeat advisories.

← 2001 SLAll SL years2003 SL →

Questions

What is the MOT pass rate for a 2002 Mercedes-Benz SL?

In 2024, 81.4% of 2002 Mercedes-Benz SL cars passed their MOT first time, across 940 tests. The average for all 22-year-old cars was 58.1%.

What are the most common MOT failures on a 2002 Mercedes-Benz SL?

The most common failure reasons were suspension arms - ball joint: ball joint excessively worn; suspension arms - ball joint dust cover: ball joint dust cover no longer prevents the ingress of dirt; shock absorbers: has a serious fluid leak. The biggest problem area was suspension.

Is the 2002 Mercedes-Benz SL reliable at MOT time?

Its MOT Rank score is 140, which is well above average for a car of its age (100 means exactly average).