2019 · 5 years old at test · Petrol mostly

2019 Mercedes-Benz SL MOT pass rate and common faults

394 MOT tests in 2024. 92.9% passed first time, compared with 84.9% for all cars the same age.

109Well above average
Passed first time92.9%
Failed or needed repairs7.1%
Typical mileage at test17,000

Most common reasons for failing

Share of all 394 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 cords2.8%
  2. Tyres - condition: has a bulge, caused by separation or partial failure of its structure1.5%
    7 marked dangerous
  3. Tyres - condition: has a lump, caused by separation or partial failure of its structure0.5%
    2 marked dangerous
  4. Headlamp aim: too low0.5%
  5. Tread depth below requirements of 1.6mm0.5%
    3 marked dangerous
  6. Tyres - condition: has a tear, caused by separation or partial failure of its structure0.3%
    2 marked dangerous
  7. Washers: jets misaligned and not providing sufficient fluid to the windscreen0.3%
  8. Headlamp aim: too high0.3%
  9. Suspension arms - ball joint: ball joint excessively worn0.3%
  10. Tyre pressure monitoring system: malfunctioning or obviously inoperative0.3%

Problem areas

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

  1. Tyres5.8%
  2. Lights & electrics1.0%
  3. Visibility (wipers, screen, mirrors)0.3%
  4. Suspension0.3%
  5. Emissions & leaks0.3%
  6. Brakes0.3%

Most common advisories

Not failures yet, but things the tester warned about.

  1. Tread depth below requirements of 1.6mm6.9%
  2. Tyres - condition: has a tear, caused by separation or partial failure of its structure5.8%
  3. Tyres - condition: has a cut in excess of the requirements deep enough to reach the ply or cords2.3%
  4. Tread depth: tread pattern not visible over the whole tread area when minimum depth required is 1.0mm2.0%
  5. Brake pads: less than 1.5 mm thick2.0%

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 2019 Mercedes-Benz SL?

In 2024, 92.9% of 2019 Mercedes-Benz SL cars passed their MOT first time, across 394 tests. The average for all 5-year-old cars was 84.9%.

What are the most common MOT failures on a 2019 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 a bulge, caused by separation or partial failure of its structure; tyres - condition: has a lump, caused by separation or partial failure of its structure. The biggest problem area was tyres.

Is the 2019 Mercedes-Benz SL reliable at MOT time?

Its MOT Rank score is 109, which is well above average for a car of its age (100 means exactly average).