2009 · 15 years old at test · Petrol mostly

2009 Mercedes-Benz SL MOT pass rate and common faults

467 MOT tests in 2024. 81.4% passed first time, compared with 58.4% for all cars the same age.

139Well above average
Passed first time81.4%
Failed or needed repairs18.6%
Typical mileage at test60,000

Most common reasons for failing

Share of all 467 tests where this item caused a failure.

  1. Coil spring: fractured or broken3.4%
  2. Tyres - condition: has ply or cords exposed1.9%
    23 marked dangerous
  3. Rigid brake pipes: excessively corroded1.5%
  4. Tyres - condition: has a cut in excess of the requirements deep enough to reach the ply or cords1.3%
  5. Tyres - condition: has a bulge, caused by separation or partial failure of its structure1.1%
    6 marked dangerous
  6. Rbt (sp): efficiency below requirements1.1%
  7. Tyres - condition: has a tear, caused by separation or partial failure of its structure1.1%
    9 marked dangerous
  8. Tread depth below requirements of 1.6mm1.1%
    10 marked dangerous
  9. Shock absorbers: has a serious fluid leak0.9%
  10. Individual direction indicators: incorrect colour0.9%

Problem areas

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

  1. Suspension7.7%
  2. Tyres7.3%
  3. Brakes5.8%
  4. Lights & electrics4.1%
  5. Visibility (wipers, screen, mirrors)1.9%
  6. Steering0.6%
  7. Number plates & VIN0.4%
  8. Body & chassis0.4%

Most common advisories

Not failures yet, but things the tester warned about.

  1. Tread depth below requirements of 1.6mm9.9%
  2. Tyres - condition: has a tear, caused by separation or partial failure of its structure9.6%
  3. Rigid brake pipes: excessively corroded7.9%
  4. Brake discs: in such a condition that it is seriously weakened7.3%
  5. Brake pads: less than 1.5 mm thick4.5%

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 2009 Mercedes-Benz SL?

In 2024, 81.4% of 2009 Mercedes-Benz SL cars passed their MOT first time, across 467 tests. The average for all 15-year-old cars was 58.4%.

What are the most common MOT failures on a 2009 Mercedes-Benz SL?

The most common failure reasons were coil spring: fractured or broken; tyres - condition: has ply or cords exposed; rigid brake pipes: excessively corroded. The biggest problem area was suspension.

Is the 2009 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).