2013 · 11 years old at test · Petrol mostly

2013 Mercedes-Benz SL MOT pass rate and common faults

1,091 MOT tests in 2024. 82.1% passed first time, compared with 66.8% for all cars the same age.

123Well above average
Passed first time82.1%
Failed or needed repairs17.9%
Typical mileage at test46,000

Most common reasons for failing

Share of all 1,091 tests where this item caused a failure.

  1. Malfunction indicator lamp: inoperative or indicates a malfunction3.0%
  2. Tyres - condition: has ply or cords exposed2.2%
    30 marked dangerous
  3. Tyres - condition: has a cut in excess of the requirements deep enough to reach the ply or cords1.4%
  4. Tyres - condition: has a bulge, caused by separation or partial failure of its structure1.2%
    19 marked dangerous
  5. Rigid brake pipes: excessively corroded1.1%
  6. Coil spring: fractured or broken1.1%
  7. Sub-frame: corroded and seriously weakened1.0%
  8. Tyres - condition: has a tear, caused by separation or partial failure of its structure0.9%
    16 marked dangerous
  9. Road Wheels - condition: fractured0.9%
    13 marked dangerous
  10. Anti-lock braking system: warning lamp indicates an ABS fault0.9%

Problem areas

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

  1. Tyres7.1%
  2. Brakes4.8%
  3. Suspension4.8%
  4. Emissions & leaks4.7%
  5. Lights & electrics2.9%
  6. Visibility (wipers, screen, mirrors)1.5%
  7. Number plates & VIN1.1%
  8. Wheels1.0%

Most common advisories

Not failures yet, but things the tester warned about.

  1. Tread depth below requirements of 1.6mm12.3%
  2. Rigid brake pipes: excessively corroded6.2%
  3. Tyres - condition: has a tear, caused by separation or partial failure of its structure4.9%
  4. Suspension arms - ball joint: ball joint excessively worn4.9%
  5. Brake pads: less than 1.5 mm thick3.2%

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: malfunction indicator lamp: inoperative or indicates a malfunction. 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 2013 Mercedes-Benz SL?

In 2024, 82.1% of 2013 Mercedes-Benz SL cars passed their MOT first time, across 1,091 tests. The average for all 11-year-old cars was 66.8%.

What are the most common MOT failures on a 2013 Mercedes-Benz SL?

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

Is the 2013 Mercedes-Benz SL reliable at MOT time?

Its MOT Rank score is 123, which is well above average for a car of its age (100 means exactly average).