Mercedes 380slc MOT Pass Rate
Overall pass rate across all manufacture years, based on 34 real MOT test results. Failure rate: 32.4%.
Data from official DVSA MOT testing records
Mercedes 380slc MOT Reliability Overview
The Mercedes 380slc is a rare vehicle in the UK, with 34 MOT test results recorded in our database spanning 1 manufacture years. It has an overall MOT pass rate of 67.6% and a failure rate of 32.4%, which is slightly above the UK average of approximately 37%.
Based on this data, the Mercedes 380slc earns a "Good" reliability rating. The average Mercedes 380slc presents for MOT with approximately 79,925 miles on the clock. The 1981 manufacture year performs best with a 73.3% pass rate.
The most common MOT failure for the Mercedes 380slc is Lamps, Reflectors and Electrical Equipment, affecting 29.4% of all tests. Lighting failures cover all external lights: headlights, tail lights, brake lights, indicators, fog lights, and reflectors. A single blown bulb will cause an MOT fail. This is one of the most preventable failure categories. The second most common issue is Suspension at 29.4%. Body, Structure and General Items rounds out the top three at 26.5%. Together, these top 3 failure categories account for a significant portion of all MOT failures for this model.
Top failures across all manufacture years combined. Individual year pages may show different top failures.
What Fails Most
Pass Rate by Manufacture Year
* High Fail Rate badge indicates an MOT pass rate below 65% (failure rate above 35%).
What Fails on This Car?
Click a category to see specific failure items.
View as table
| Rank | Failure Category | Rate (%) | Count |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Suspension | 52.9% | 18 |
| 2 | Lamps, Reflectors And Electrical Equipment | 47.0% | 16 |
| 3 | Body, Structure And General Items | 26.5% | 9 |
| 4 | Exhaust, Fuel And Emissions | 14.7% | 5 |
| 5 | Brakes | 14.7% | 5 |
| 6 | Steering | 14.7% | 5 |
| 7 | Driver's View Of The Road | 5.9% | 2 |
| 8 | Seat Belts And Supplementary Restraint Systems | 2.9% | 1 |
| 9 | Tyres | 2.9% | 1 |
| 10 | Non-component Advisories | 2.9% | 1 |
Failures per 10,000 Miles
avg. 79,925 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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Suspension | 6.62 | 52.9% | 18 |
| Lamps & Electrical | 5.89 | 47.0% | 16 |
| Body & Structure | 3.31 | 26.5% | 9 |
| Emissions & Exhaust | 1.84 | 14.7% | 5 |
| Brakes | 1.84 | 14.7% | 5 |
| Steering | 1.84 | 14.7% | 5 |
| Visibility | 0.74 | 5.9% | 2 |
| Seat Belts | 0.37 | 2.9% | 1 |
| Tyres | 0.37 | 2.9% | 1 |
| Non-component advisories | 0.37 | 2.9% | 1 |
🚗 Similar Cars to Consider
Mileage at MOT
The average Mercedes 380slc has 79,925 miles when tested for MOT.
📊 Mileage-Adjusted Failure Rate
How often this car fails MOT relative to how much it's driven — a fairer comparison than raw pass rate.
The Mercedes 380slc has a mileage-adjusted failure rate of 4.05% per 10,000 miles driven. The average across all makes is 5.38%, so this model is better than average.
About Mercedes 380slc MOT Data
The Mercedes 380slc is a rare vehicle in the UK, with 34 MOT test results recorded in our database spanning 1 manufacture years. It has an overall MOT pass rate of 67.6% and a failure rate of 32.4%, which is slightly above the UK average of approximately 37%.
For Mercedes 380slc owners, these results suggest a reliable vehicle that generally passes its MOT without major issues. Focus your pre-MOT checks on lamps, reflectors and electrical equipment and suspension for the best chance of a first-time pass. Use our detailed year-by-year breakdown and failure analysis below to understand how your specific 380slc is likely to perform.
Lamps, Reflectors and Electrical Equipment — 29.4% of failures
Lamps, Reflectors and Electrical Equipment issues account for 29.4% of MOT failures on the Mercedes 380slc. Lighting failures cover all external lights: headlights, tail lights, brake lights, indicators, fog lights, and reflectors. A single blown bulb will cause an MOT fail. This is one of the most preventable failure categories. Typical repair costs: £5–50. Pre-MOT check: Walk around the car and check every light — headlights (dipped and main beam), side lights, tail lights, brake lights, indicators, hazard lights, reverse light, rear fog light, and number plate lights. Replace any blown bulbs before the test.
Suspension — 29.4% of failures
Suspension issues account for 29.4% of MOT failures on the Mercedes 380slc. Suspension failures typically involve worn bushes, leaking shock absorbers, broken coil springs, and damaged suspension arms. These affect ride quality, tyre wear, and road holding. Typical repair costs: £200–500. Pre-MOT check: Look for uneven tyre wear, listen for clunking over bumps, and check if the car pulls to one side. A bouncy ride suggests worn shock absorbers. Visually inspect coil springs for cracks.
Body, Structure and General Items — 26.5% of failures
Body, Structure and General Items issues account for 26.5% of MOT failures on the Mercedes 380slc. 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.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the MOT pass rate for the Mercedes 380slc?
Based on 34 (based on limited data) MOT tests in our database, the Mercedes 380slc has an overall pass rate of 67.6% (32.4% fail rate).
What are the most common MOT failures on a Mercedes 380slc?
The top 3 reasons a Mercedes 380slc fails its MOT are: 1. Lamps, Reflectors and Electrical Equipment (29.4%), 2. Suspension (29.4%), 3. Body, Structure and General Items (26.5%). Check these areas before booking your MOT.
Is the Mercedes 380slc reliable?
With a 32.4% MOT failure rate, the 380slc is more reliable than average compared to the UK average of ~40%.
What should I check before an MOT on my Mercedes 380slc?
Based on failure data, focus on: Lamps, Reflectors and Electrical Equipment (29.4%); Suspension (29.4%); Body, Structure and General Items (26.5%). These are the areas most likely to cause a fail. Also check all lights, tyres (minimum 1.6mm tread), and windscreen condition — these are quick wins that apply to all cars.
Based on DVSA anonymised MOT test data (2005–2024). Crown copyright, Open Government Licence v3.0.