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Mercedes-Benz SLK years to avoid? MOT pass rate by year

52,657 initial MOT tests in 2025 on cars first used 1999–2016 · DVSA data · For guidance only · How we count

All 18 Mercedes-Benz SLK years have MOT pass rates above the average for vehicles first used in the same year.

The MOT pass rate is one signal, not the whole story. An MOT checks safety and emissions on the day of the test. It doesn't record gearbox or engine faults, and a pass rate also reflects mileage and upkeep, so the table shows median mileage too. Whatever the year, the car in front of you matters more than its model's average.

71.9%passed first time

First-time pass rate, all years together: initial tests passed with no repairs. 95% range 71.5% to 72.3%.

In 2025, 71.9% of the 52,657 initial MOT tests on Mercedes-Benz SLK cars were passed with no repairs. The same-age average, for all vehicles first used in the same years, was 62.4%. That is 9.6 points above the same-age average.

In our tables of the highest MOT pass rates by age: joint 9th of 116 cars first used in 2010.

Check a specific SLK

Its own MOT history, free.

Mercedes-Benz SLK MOT pass rate by year

Year is when the car was first used. Older vehicles fail more often, so each year is compared with all vehicles first used that year.

YearChartTestsmedian milesPassed first timeAgainst all vehicles that year
2016age 91,24943,40082.3%±2.3+7.4 ptsall: 74.9%
2015age 104,84849,40080.0%±1.2+8.1 ptsall: 71.9%
2014age 114,78755,90076.4%±1.3+7.8 ptsall: 68.6%
2013age 124,48362,80074.3%±1.3+8.5 ptsall: 65.8%
2012age 135,47964,20073.7%±1.2+10.2 ptsall: 63.5%
2011age 142,48360,60075.3%±1.8+14.1 ptsall: 61.2%
2010age 152,03065,60070.5%±2.1+11.2 ptsall: 59.3%
2009age 162,44769,50069.3%±1.9+11.0 ptsall: 58.3%
2008age 173,11574,40067.9%±1.7+10.7 ptsall: 57.2%
2007age 183,38375,20067.4%±1.6+10.0 ptsall: 57.4%
2006age 193,47279,30067.0%±1.6+10.0 ptsall: 57.0%
2005age 204,42280,30067.9%±1.4+10.3 ptsall: 57.6%
2004age 212,76182,60066.2%±1.8+8.4 ptsall: 57.8%
2003age 221,51980,90067.9%±2.4+9.2 ptsall: 58.7%
2002age 231,63983,70071.1%±2.3+11.6 ptsall: 59.5%
2001age 241,84385,60070.9%±2.2+9.8 ptsall: 61.1%
2000age 251,51286,50069.5%±2.4+6.8 ptsall: 62.7%
1999age 261,18583,50071.0%±2.7+6.4 ptsall: 64.6%

Tests are initial MOT tests in 2025, not retests. Median miles is the middle odometer reading at the test: half had more, half had less. ± is the 95% margin of error in points (Wilson interval): a difference smaller than that could be chance. Years without a link have fewer than 10,000 tests, so they are listed here but don't have their own page.

When a car's mileage doesn't add up

Does mileage matter?

Mercedes-Benz SLK first-time pass rates by the mileage at the initial test, all years together, against all vehicles of the same age and mileage.

88.7% of Mercedes-Benz SLK tests under 30,000 miles passed first time, against 59.4% at 120,000 miles or more. For all vehicles of the same age and mileage, the figures are 82.9% and 56.1%.

Miles at the testTestsPassed first timeAgainst all vehicles, same age and mileage
Under 30,0003,76988.7%±1.1+5.8 ptsall: 82.9%
30,000–59,99916,99778.5%±0.7+6.4 ptsall: 72.0%
60,000–89,99918,59869.4%±0.7+6.8 ptsall: 62.6%
90,000–119,9999,47263.7%±1.0+6.1 ptsall: 57.6%
120,000 or more3,77059.4%±1.6+3.3 ptsall: 56.1%

Against all vehicles of the same age and mileage, SLK tests were above average in every band shown.

Mileage is only one factor. How a car has been driven and looked after matters too. These figures show an association across all Mercedes-Benz SLK tests in 2025, not what mileage does to a particular car.

Mileage is the odometer reading at the initial test. Each band is compared with all vehicles first used in the same year with a reading in the same band, weighted by this model's own tests in each year. Bands need at least 1,000 tests. 51 tests (0.1%) had no usable odometer reading and are left out. How we count

Common SLK problems at the MOT

Share of the 14,782 failed tests with a fault in each area, all years together. A test can count in more than one area, so these add up to more than 100%.

MOT records show roadworthiness faults, not engine or gearbox problems. Each year page compares that year's failure areas with all vehicles first used in the same year.

What to check when viewing a SLK

Based on the areas where Mercedes-Benz SLK MOT tests fail most often. These are general checks anyone can do, not a mechanical inspection.

  1. Suspension

    In 44.9% of failed SLK tests

    • Push down hard on each corner. The car should rise once and settle, not keep bouncing.
    • On the test drive, listen for knocks or clunks over speed bumps and potholes.
    • The car should sit level when parked on flat ground.

  2. Lights and electrics

    In 27.8% of failed SLK tests

    • Ask the seller to help you check every light: dipped and main beam, brake lights, indicators, fog lights and the number plate lamp.
    • Look for cracked, misted or yellowed headlight lenses.
    • Warning lights on the dashboard should come on with the ignition and go out once the engine starts.

  3. Tyres

    In 22.1% of failed SLK tests

    • Check the tread on every tyre. The legal minimum for cars is 1.6 mm across the central three-quarters of the tread.
    • Look for cuts, bulges, and wear on only the inner or outer edge, which can point to an alignment problem.
    • Check that the spare wheel or the tyre repair kit is there.

  4. Brakes

    In 21.6% of failed SLK tests

    • On a clear road, brake firmly. The car should stop in a straight line without juddering or pulling to one side.
    • Check the handbrake holds the car on a slope.
    • Look through the wheels at the brake discs for deep grooves or a raised lip at the edge.

Then read the car's own MOT history. Advisories in the same area at several tests are worth asking about.

Check a SLK's MOT history

After an MOT advisory

Mercedes-Benz SLK cars that passed their 2024 MOT first time with an advisory, and what their next MOT found, against similar cars that passed with nothing noted in that area. All first-use years together.

Tyres

Of Mercedes-Benz SLK cars that passed their 2024 MOT with a tyre advisory and came back for their next MOT 10–14 months later, 10.2% failed on tyres, against 4.7% of similar cars with nothing noted. Based on 6,079 and 22,870 cars.

  • With a tyre advisory10.2%
  • Similar cars, nothing noted4.7%

Cars not tested again in that window are not included: 14.6% of those with a tyre advisory and 13.9% of the others.

Brakes

Of Mercedes-Benz SLK cars that passed their 2024 MOT with a brake advisory and came back for their next MOT 10–14 months later, 8.8% failed on brakes, against 4.5% of similar cars with nothing noted. Based on 5,492 and 23,358 cars.

  • With a brake advisory8.8%
  • Similar cars, nothing noted4.5%

Cars not tested again in that window are not included: 17.4% of those with a brake advisory and 13.2% of the others.

Suspension

Of Mercedes-Benz SLK cars that passed their 2024 MOT with a suspension advisory and came back for their next MOT 10–14 months later, 18.5% failed on suspension, against 10.7% of similar cars with nothing noted. Based on 3,910 and 24,477 cars.

  • With a suspension advisory18.5%
  • Similar cars, nothing noted10.7%

Cars not tested again in that window are not included: 17.7% of those with a suspension advisory and 13.5% of the others.

Similar cars are the same model, first-use year and mileage band. Areas are the DVSA's top-level groups, so the later fail may not be the fault that was advised. These figures describe what happened to these cars. They don't show what a repair would have changed.

How we worked this outAll models compared, with the data

Mercedes-Benz SLK questions

Which Mercedes-Benz SLK years have lower MOT pass rates?

Compared with all vehicles first used in the same year, no model year is clearly below average. Above average: 1999–2016. A pass rate is one signal: it also reflects mileage and upkeep, and doesn't record engine or gearbox faults.

Is the Mercedes-Benz SLK reliable?

MOT results show only part of the picture. In 2025, 71.9% of initial MOT tests on Mercedes-Benz SLK cars were passed with no repairs, against a same-age average of 62.4%. That is 9.6 points above average. An MOT checks safety and emissions on the day of the test. It doesn't measure breakdowns, engine or gearbox faults, or repair costs.

What are the most common Mercedes-Benz SLK problems at the MOT?

The most common failure areas are suspension (in 44.9% of failed tests), lights and electrics (in 27.8% of failed tests) and tyres (in 22.1% of failed tests). A failed test can count in more than one area.

What mileage is normal for a 10-year-old Mercedes-Benz SLK?

At their 2025 MOT tests, Mercedes-Benz SLK cars first used in 2015, about 10 years old, had a median of 49,400 miles. Half had more and half had less.

How do I check a specific SLK's MOT history?

Enter its registration in our free check. It lists that car's own MOT results, the faults and advisories recorded and the mileage at each test, and flags repeated advisories and mileage that goes down.

Check a car's MOT history for free

What MOT data can't tell you about any Mercedes-Benz SLK

Outstanding finance, write-offs, theft and plate changes aren't in MOT records. For a particular car, you need a history check.

Compare history checksWhat MOT history doesn't show

Other Mercedes-Benz models

Points above (+) or below (−) the same-age average for all vehicles.

All 23 Mercedes-Benz modelsCars ranked by MOT pass rate, by age

Source: DVSA anonymised MOT tests, 2025. For guidance only: these figures describe all Mercedes-Benz SLK cars tested, not the one you're looking at. How we count