2012 · 12 years old at test · Petrol mostly

2012 Mercedes-Benz SL MOT pass rate and common faults

411 MOT tests in 2024. 84.9% passed first time, compared with 64.3% for all cars the same age.

132Well above average
Passed first time84.9%
Failed or needed repairs15.1%
Typical mileage at test47,000

Most common reasons for failing

Share of all 411 tests where this item caused a failure.

  1. Tyres - condition: has a cut in excess of the requirements deep enough to reach the ply or cords2.9%
  2. Malfunction indicator lamp: inoperative or indicates a malfunction2.7%
  3. Tyres - condition: has ply or cords exposed2.2%
    19 marked dangerous
  4. Coil spring: fractured or broken1.0%
  5. Suspension arms - ball joint: ball joint excessively worn0.7%
  6. Road Wheels - condition: fractured0.7%
    4 marked dangerous
  7. Tread depth below requirements of 1.6mm0.7%
    7 marked dangerous
  8. Sub-frame mounting prescribed areas: prescribed area is corroded to the extent that control of the vehicle is likely to be adversely affected0.7%
    3 marked dangerous
  9. Tyres - condition: has a bulge, caused by separation or partial failure of its structure0.7%
    4 marked dangerous

Problem areas

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

  1. Tyres7.1%
  2. Suspension4.1%
  3. Emissions & leaks3.2%
  4. Brakes1.9%
  5. Lights & electrics1.7%
  6. Wheels1.0%
  7. Visibility (wipers, screen, mirrors)1.0%
  8. Number plates & VIN0.2%

Most common advisories

Not failures yet, but things the tester warned about.

  1. Tread depth below requirements of 1.6mm10.5%
  2. Rigid brake pipes: excessively corroded6.1%
  3. Suspension arms - ball joint: ball joint excessively worn3.9%
  4. Tyres - condition: has a tear, caused by separation or partial failure of its structure3.6%
  5. Brake discs: in such a condition that it is seriously weakened3.2%

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: tyres - condition: has a cut in excess of the requirements deep enough to reach the ply or cords. 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 2012 Mercedes-Benz SL?

In 2024, 84.9% of 2012 Mercedes-Benz SL cars passed their MOT first time, across 411 tests. The average for all 12-year-old cars was 64.3%.

What are the most common MOT failures on a 2012 Mercedes-Benz SL?

The most common failure reasons were tyres - condition: has a cut in excess of the requirements deep enough to reach the ply or cords; malfunction indicator lamp: inoperative or indicates a malfunction; tyres - condition: has ply or cords exposed. The biggest problem area was tyres.

Is the 2012 Mercedes-Benz SL reliable at MOT time?

Its MOT Rank score is 132, which is well above average for a car of its age (100 means exactly average).