1996 Mercedes Sl 500 MOT Pass Rate
Pass rate for Sl 500 models manufactured in 1996, based on 1,386 real MOT test results.
Data from official DVSA MOT testing records
This page shows all Sl 500 cars tested in 1996. Want to see how cars built in 1996 hold up over time?
View 1996 Mercedes Sl 500 vintage page → (90.0% current pass rate)1996 Mercedes Sl 500 MOT Analysis
The 1996 Mercedes Sl 500 has an MOT pass rate of 76.3% based on 1,386 tests — well above the UK average for UK vehicles. Cars of this vintage present for MOT with an average of 81,354 miles on the odometer. With a 23.7% failure rate, the 1996 Sl 500 is rated as "Excellent" for MOT reliability.
The leading cause of MOT failure for the 1996 Mercedes Sl 500 is Tyres, responsible for 0.3% 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. Lamps, reflectors and electrical equipment is the second most common issue at 0.2%. Visibility follows at 0.1%.
Top failures specific to 1996 models only. The overall Sl 500 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 | 0.3% | 4 |
| 2 | Lamps, Reflectors And Electrical Equipment | 0.2% | 3 |
| 3 | Visibility | 0.1% | 1 |
| 4 | Noise, Emissions And Leaks | 0.1% | 1 |
Failures per 10,000 Miles
avg. 81,354 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.
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| Category | Rate / 10K mi | Raw % | Count |
|---|---|---|---|
| Tyres | 0.04 | 0.3% | 4 |
| Lamps & Electrical | 0.03 | 0.2% | 3 |
| Visibility | 0.01 | 0.1% | 1 |
| Noise, emissions and leaks | 0.01 | 0.1% | 1 |
Mileage Statistics
Mileage-adjusted failure rate — accounts for how much this model year is typically driven.
About This Data
The 1996 Mercedes Sl 500 has an MOT pass rate of 76.3% based on 1,386 tests — well above the UK average for UK vehicles. Cars of this vintage present for MOT with an average of 81,354 miles on the odometer. With a 23.7% failure rate, the 1996 Sl 500 is rated as "Excellent" for MOT reliability.
If you own or are considering buying a 1996 Mercedes Sl 500, you can expect reliable MOT performance overall. 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 81,354 miles, these vehicles are in the higher-mileage bracket where wear-related failures become more common.
Tyres — 0.3% of failures
Tyres issues account for 0.3% of MOT failures on 1996 Mercedes Sl 500 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.
Lamps, reflectors and electrical equipment — 0.2% of failures
Lamps, reflectors and electrical equipment issues account for 0.2% of MOT failures on 1996 Mercedes Sl 500 models. 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.
Visibility — 0.1% of failures
Visibility issues account for 0.1% of MOT failures on 1996 Mercedes Sl 500 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.