2004 · 20 years old at test · Petrol mostly

2004 Mercedes-Benz SL MOT pass rate and common faults

1,792 MOT tests in 2024. 83.1% passed first time, compared with 56.4% for all cars the same age.

147Well above average
Passed first time83.1%
Failed or needed repairs16.9%
Typical mileage at test74,000

Most common reasons for failing

Share of all 1,792 tests where this item caused a failure.

  1. Coil spring: fractured or broken2.5%
  2. Suspension arms - ball joint dust cover: ball joint dust cover no longer prevents the ingress of dirt1.3%
  3. Rigid brake pipes: excessively corroded1.2%
  4. Suspension arms - ball joint: ball joint excessively worn1.1%
  5. Tyres - condition: has ply or cords exposed0.9%
    27 marked dangerous
  6. Tyres - condition: has a tear, caused by separation or partial failure of its structure0.9%
    32 marked dangerous
  7. Shock absorbers: has a serious fluid leak0.8%
  8. Tyres - condition: has a cut in excess of the requirements deep enough to reach the ply or cords0.8%
  9. Rbt (sp): efficiency below requirements0.7%
  10. Anti-lock braking system: warning lamp indicates an ABS fault0.7%

Problem areas

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

  1. Suspension8.0%
  2. Brakes5.9%
  3. Lights & electrics5.4%
  4. Tyres3.9%
  5. Visibility (wipers, screen, mirrors)2.2%
  6. Emissions & leaks1.3%
  7. Seat belts & airbags0.7%
  8. Body & chassis0.7%

Most common advisories

Not failures yet, but things the tester warned about.

  1. Rigid brake pipes: excessively corroded10.1%
  2. Tread depth below requirements of 1.6mm9.9%
  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 structure6.8%
  5. Brake pads: less than 1.5 mm thick4.2%

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: coil spring: fractured or broken. 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 2004 Mercedes-Benz SL?

In 2024, 83.1% of 2004 Mercedes-Benz SL cars passed their MOT first time, across 1,792 tests. The average for all 20-year-old cars was 56.4%.

What are the most common MOT failures on a 2004 Mercedes-Benz SL?

The most common failure reasons were coil spring: fractured or broken; suspension arms - ball joint dust cover: ball joint dust cover no longer prevents the ingress of dirt; rigid brake pipes: excessively corroded. The biggest problem area was suspension.

Is the 2004 Mercedes-Benz SL reliable at MOT time?

Its MOT Rank score is 147, which is well above average for a car of its age (100 means exactly average).