2016 · 8 years old at test · Petrol mostly

2016 Mercedes-Benz SL MOT pass rate and common faults

762 MOT tests in 2024. 89.8% passed first time, compared with 76.6% for all cars the same age.

117Well above average
Passed first time89.8%
Failed or needed repairs10.2%
Typical mileage at test33,000

Most common reasons for failing

Share of all 762 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 cords2.4%
  2. Tyres - condition: has ply or cords exposed1.8%
    25 marked dangerous
  3. Tyres - condition: has a bulge, caused by separation or partial failure of its structure1.4%
    11 marked dangerous
  4. Suspension arms - ball joint: ball joint excessively worn1.0%
  5. Headlamp aim: too high0.7%
  6. Headlamp aim: too low0.7%
  7. Registration plates: does not conform to the specified requirements0.5%
  8. Tread depth below requirements of 1.6mm0.5%
    4 marked dangerous
  9. Coil spring: fractured or broken0.4%
  10. Headlamp aim: projected beam image is obviously incorrect0.4%

Problem areas

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

  1. Tyres6.6%
  2. Lights & electrics2.6%
  3. Suspension1.6%
  4. Number plates & VIN0.9%
  5. Emissions & leaks0.7%
  6. Visibility (wipers, screen, mirrors)0.7%
  7. Brakes0.4%
  8. Wheels0.3%

Most common advisories

Not failures yet, but things the tester warned about.

  1. Tread depth below requirements of 1.6mm9.6%
  2. Tyres - condition: has a tear, caused by separation or partial failure of its structure4.5%
  3. Suspension arms - ball joint: ball joint excessively worn4.3%
  4. Brake pads: less than 1.5 mm thick2.5%
  5. Tyres - condition: has a cut in excess of the requirements deep enough to reach the ply or cords2.0%

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 2016 Mercedes-Benz SL?

In 2024, 89.8% of 2016 Mercedes-Benz SL cars passed their MOT first time, across 762 tests. The average for all 8-year-old cars was 76.6%.

What are the most common MOT failures on a 2016 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; 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 2016 Mercedes-Benz SL reliable at MOT time?

Its MOT Rank score is 117, which is well above average for a car of its age (100 means exactly average).