2003 Mercedes 500sl MOT Pass Rate
Pass rate for 500sl models manufactured in 2003, based on 128 real MOT test results.
Data from official DVSA MOT testing records
2003 Mercedes 500sl MOT Analysis
The 2003 Mercedes 500sl has an MOT pass rate of 80.5% based on 128 tests — well above the UK average for UK vehicles. Cars of this vintage present for MOT with an average of 75,534 miles on the odometer. With a 19.5% failure rate, the 2003 500sl is rated as "Excellent" for MOT reliability.
The leading cause of MOT failure for the 2003 Mercedes 500sl is Suspension, responsible for 7.8% of failures. 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 range from £200–500. Tyres is the second most common issue at 6.3%. Visibility follows at 3.1%.
Top failures specific to 2003 models only. The overall 500sl 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 | Suspension | 7.8% | 10 |
| 2 | Tyres | 6.3% | 8 |
| 3 | Visibility | 3.1% | 4 |
| 4 | Brakes | 0.8% | 1 |
| 5 | Noise, Emissions And Leaks | 0.8% | 1 |
| 6 | Seat Belts And Supplementary Restraint Systems | 0.8% | 1 |
Failures per 10,000 Miles
avg. 75,534 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 | 1.03 | 7.8% | 10 |
| Tyres | 0.83 | 6.3% | 8 |
| Visibility | 0.41 | 3.1% | 4 |
| Brakes | 0.10 | 0.8% | 1 |
| Noise, emissions and leaks | 0.10 | 0.8% | 1 |
| Seat Belts | 0.10 | 0.8% | 1 |
Mileage Statistics
Mileage-adjusted failure rate — accounts for how much this model year is typically driven.
About This Data
The 2003 Mercedes 500sl has an MOT pass rate of 80.5% based on 128 tests — well above the UK average for UK vehicles. Cars of this vintage present for MOT with an average of 75,534 miles on the odometer. With a 19.5% failure rate, the 2003 500sl is rated as "Excellent" for MOT reliability.
If you own or are considering buying a 2003 Mercedes 500sl, you can expect reliable MOT performance overall. Before your MOT, pay particular attention to suspension: 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. At 75,534 average miles, these vehicles are in the mid-range where component wear starts to become a factor.
Suspension — 7.8% of failures
Suspension issues account for 7.8% of MOT failures on 2003 Mercedes 500sl models. 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.
Tyres — 6.3% of failures
Tyres issues account for 6.3% of MOT failures on 2003 Mercedes 500sl 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.
Visibility — 3.1% of failures
Visibility issues account for 3.1% of MOT failures on 2003 Mercedes 500sl models. Visibility failures relate to the windscreen, wipers, washers, mirrors, and view-obstructing damage. Cracks in the windscreen swept area, ineffective wipers, or empty washer bottles are common causes. Typical repair costs: £10–300. Pre-MOT check: Check the windscreen for chips and cracks — damage larger than 10mm in the driver's swept area or 40mm elsewhere will fail. Test washers and wipers. Ensure both door mirrors are intact and adjustable.
Based on DVSA anonymised MOT test data (2005–2024). Crown copyright, Open Government Licence v3.0.