2011 · 13 years old at test · Petrol mostly

2011 Mercedes-Benz SL MOT pass rate and common faults

254 MOT tests in 2024. 86.2% passed first time, compared with 61.8% for all cars the same age.

139Well above average
Passed first time86.2%
Failed or needed repairs13.8%
Typical mileage at test48,000

Most common reasons for failing

Share of all 254 tests where this item caused a failure.

  1. Coil spring: fractured or broken2.0%
  2. Tyres - condition: has ply or cords exposed1.6%
    5 marked dangerous
  3. Tyres - condition: has a bulge, caused by separation or partial failure of its structure1.6%
    7 marked dangerous
  4. Suspension arms - ball joint: ball joint excessively worn1.2%
  5. Side repeaters: not working1.2%
  6. Headlamp aim: too high0.8%
  7. Catalyst emissions: Lambda reading after 2nd fast idle outside specified limits0.8%
  8. Tyres - condition: has a cut in excess of the requirements deep enough to reach the ply or cords0.8%
  9. Tread depth below requirements of 1.6mm0.8%
    2 marked dangerous
  10. Shock absorbers: has a serious fluid leak0.4%

Problem areas

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

  1. Tyres5.5%
  2. Suspension4.7%
  3. Lights & electrics4.7%
  4. Brakes2.0%
  5. Emissions & leaks1.2%
  6. Number plates & VIN0.8%
  7. Visibility (wipers, screen, mirrors)0.4%
  8. Wheels0.4%

Most common advisories

Not failures yet, but things the tester warned about.

  1. Tread depth below requirements of 1.6mm9.1%
  2. Tyres - condition: has a tear, caused by separation or partial failure of its structure7.9%
  3. Rigid brake pipes: excessively corroded5.5%
  4. Brake discs: in such a condition that it is seriously weakened4.7%
  5. Suspension arms - pins and bushes: pin or bush excessively worn2.4%

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 2011 Mercedes-Benz SL?

In 2024, 86.2% of 2011 Mercedes-Benz SL cars passed their MOT first time, across 254 tests. The average for all 13-year-old cars was 61.8%.

What are the most common MOT failures on a 2011 Mercedes-Benz SL?

The most common failure reasons were coil spring: fractured or broken; tyres - condition: has ply or cords exposed; tyres - condition: has a bulge, caused by separation or partial failure of its structure. The biggest problem area was tyres.

Is the 2011 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).