2003 · 21 years old at test · Petrol mostly

2003 Mercedes-Benz SL MOT pass rate and common faults

2,338 MOT tests in 2024. 79.6% passed first time, compared with 57.3% for all cars the same age.

139Well above average
Passed first time79.6%
Failed or needed repairs20.4%
Typical mileage at test75,000

Most common reasons for failing

Share of all 2,338 tests where this item caused a failure.

  1. Rigid brake pipes: excessively corroded1.5%
  2. Tyres - condition: has ply or cords exposed1.3%
    68 marked dangerous
  3. Shock absorbers: has a serious fluid leak1.3%
  4. Suspension arms - ball joint: ball joint excessively worn1.3%
  5. SRS malfunction indicator lamp: warning lamp indicates a fault1.2%
  6. Suspension arms - ball joint dust cover: ball joint dust cover no longer prevents the ingress of dirt1.2%
  7. Tyres - condition: has a cut in excess of the requirements deep enough to reach the ply or cords1.2%
  8. Tread depth below requirements of 1.6mm1.1%
    44 marked dangerous
  9. Headlamp: not working on dipped beam1.1%
  10. Brake pads: less than 1.5 mm thick1.0%
    32 marked dangerous

Problem areas

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

  1. Lights & electrics7.4%
  2. Brakes7.2%
  3. Suspension6.8%
  4. Tyres5.2%
  5. Visibility (wipers, screen, mirrors)2.7%
  6. Emissions & leaks1.9%
  7. Seat belts & airbags1.8%
  8. Body & chassis1.1%

Most common advisories

Not failures yet, but things the tester warned about.

  1. Rigid brake pipes: excessively corroded11.4%
  2. Tread depth below requirements of 1.6mm10.1%
  3. Tyres - condition: has a tear, caused by separation or partial failure of its structure7.0%
  4. Brake discs: in such a condition that it is seriously weakened6.6%
  5. Suspension arms - ball joint: ball joint excessively worn5.7%

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: rigid brake pipes: excessively corroded. 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 2003 Mercedes-Benz SL?

In 2024, 79.6% of 2003 Mercedes-Benz SL cars passed their MOT first time, across 2,338 tests. The average for all 21-year-old cars was 57.3%.

What are the most common MOT failures on a 2003 Mercedes-Benz SL?

The most common failure reasons were rigid brake pipes: excessively corroded; tyres - condition: has ply or cords exposed; shock absorbers: has a serious fluid leak. The biggest problem area was lights & electrics.

Is the 2003 Mercedes-Benz SL reliable at MOT time?

Its MOT Rank score is 139, which is well above average for a car of its age (100 means exactly average).