1979 Mercedes 350sl MOT Pass Rate
Pass rate for 350sl models manufactured in 1979, based on 131 real MOT test results.
Data from official DVSA MOT testing records
1979 Mercedes 350sl MOT Analysis
The 1979 Mercedes 350sl has an MOT pass rate of 64.1% based on 131 tests — around the UK average for UK vehicles. Cars of this vintage present for MOT with an average of 90,476 miles on the odometer. With a 35.9% failure rate, the 1979 350sl is rated as "Average" for MOT reliability.
The leading cause of MOT failure for the 1979 Mercedes 350sl is Tyres, responsible for 3.8% of failures. Tyre failures include tread depth below the legal minimum of 1.6mm, cuts, bulges, exposed cords, and incorrect tyre pressure. Tyres are one of the most common and easiest-to-prevent MOT failures. Typical repair costs range from £50–200 per tyre. Body, chassis, structure is the second most common issue at 1.5%. Noise, emissions and leaks follows at 0.8%.
Top failures specific to 1979 models only. The overall 350sl page may show different rankings.
What Fails Most
What Fails on This Car?
Click a category to see specific failure items.
View as table
| Rank | Failure Category | Rate (%) | Count |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Tyres | 3.8% | 5 |
| 2 | Body, Chassis, Structure | 1.5% | 2 |
| 3 | Noise, Emissions And Leaks | 0.8% | 1 |
| 4 | Seat Belts And Supplementary Restraint Systems | 0.8% | 1 |
| 5 | Visibility | 0.8% | 1 |
Failures per 10,000 Miles
avg. 90,476 miFor every 10,000 miles driven, this shows what percentage of MOT tests fail for each category. This accounts for how far cars are actually driven, not just raw pass/fail counts.
View as table
| Category | Rate / 10K mi | Raw % | Count |
|---|---|---|---|
| Tyres | 0.42 | 3.8% | 5 |
| Body & Structure | 0.17 | 1.5% | 2 |
| Noise, emissions and leaks | 0.08 | 0.8% | 1 |
| Seat Belts | 0.08 | 0.8% | 1 |
| Visibility | 0.08 | 0.8% | 1 |
Mileage Statistics
Mileage-adjusted failure rate — accounts for how much this model year is typically driven.
About This Data
The 1979 Mercedes 350sl has an MOT pass rate of 64.1% based on 131 tests — around the UK average for UK vehicles. Cars of this vintage present for MOT with an average of 90,476 miles on the odometer. With a 35.9% failure rate, the 1979 350sl is rated as "Average" for MOT reliability.
If you own or are considering buying a 1979 Mercedes 350sl, budget for potential repairs before each MOT. Before your MOT, pay particular attention to tyres: Check tread depth with a 20p coin — if the outer band is visible, the tyre is too worn. Look for bulges, cuts, or embedded objects. Ensure all tyres match the recommended size and load rating. With an average mileage of 90,476 miles, these vehicles are in the higher-mileage bracket where wear-related failures become more common.
Tyres — 3.8% of failures
Tyres issues account for 3.8% of MOT failures on 1979 Mercedes 350sl models. Tyre failures include tread depth below the legal minimum of 1.6mm, cuts, bulges, exposed cords, and incorrect tyre pressure. Tyres are one of the most common and easiest-to-prevent MOT failures. Typical repair costs: £50–200 per tyre. Pre-MOT check: Check tread depth with a 20p coin — if the outer band is visible, the tyre is too worn. Look for bulges, cuts, or embedded objects. Ensure all tyres match the recommended size and load rating.
Body, chassis, structure — 1.5% of failures
Body, chassis, structure issues account for 1.5% of MOT failures on 1979 Mercedes 350sl models. Body and structure failures include excessive corrosion, sharp edges, loose panels, and damage to the vehicle frame. Rust is the primary concern, especially on older vehicles or those exposed to road salt. Typical repair costs: £100–500+. Pre-MOT check: Inspect sills, wheel arches, door bottoms, and the chassis for rust. Surface rust is acceptable but structural corrosion or holes will fail. Check that all doors, bonnet, and boot close securely.
Noise, emissions and leaks — 0.8% of failures
Noise, emissions and leaks issues account for 0.8% of MOT failures on 1979 Mercedes 350sl models. Emissions failures occur when exhaust gases exceed legal limits for carbon monoxide (CO), hydrocarbons (HC), or particulate matter (diesel). Common causes include faulty oxygen sensors, clogged catalytic converters, or DPF issues on diesel vehicles. Typical repair costs: £100–1,000+. Pre-MOT check: If the engine management light is on, get it diagnosed before the MOT. For diesel cars, ensure the DPF has completed a regeneration cycle. Regular servicing and using premium fuel before the test can help.
Based on DVSA anonymised MOT test data (2005–2024). Crown copyright, Open Government Licence v3.0.