Mercedes Sls MOT Pass Rate
Overall pass rate across all manufacture years, based on 256 real MOT test results. Failure rate: 2.3%.
Data from official DVSA MOT testing records
Mercedes Sls MOT Reliability Overview
The Mercedes Sls is a rare vehicle in the UK, with 256 MOT test results recorded in our database spanning 3 manufacture years. It has an overall MOT pass rate of 97.7% and a failure rate of 2.3%, which is well above the UK average of approximately 37%.
Based on this data, the Mercedes Sls earns a "Excellent" reliability rating. The average Mercedes Sls presents for MOT with approximately 15,608 miles on the clock. Manufacture year matters: 2012 models achieve the highest pass rate at 100.0%, while 2011 models have the lowest at 96.0%. This 4.0 percentage point difference suggests notable variation in build quality or component durability across production years.
The most common MOT failure for the Mercedes Sls is Tyres, affecting 2.0% of all tests. 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. The second most common issue is Exhaust, Fuel and Emissions at 1.6%. Noise, emissions and leaks rounds out the top three at 0.8%. 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
Best Year to Buy
📈 How Each Vintage Ages
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 | Tyres | 2.0% | 5 |
| 2 | Exhaust, Fuel And Emissions | 1.6% | 4 |
| 3 | Noise, Emissions And Leaks | 0.8% | 2 |
| 4 | Lamps, Reflectors And Electrical Equipment | 0.8% | 2 |
| 5 | Brakes | 0.4% | 1 |
Failures per 10,000 Miles
avg. 15,608 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 | 1.25 | 2.0% | 5 |
| Emissions & Exhaust | 1.00 | 1.6% | 4 |
| Noise, emissions and leaks | 0.50 | 0.8% | 2 |
| Lamps & Electrical | 0.50 | 0.8% | 2 |
| Brakes | 0.25 | 0.4% | 1 |
🚗 Similar Cars to Consider
Mileage at MOT
The average Mercedes Sls has 15,608 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 Sls has a mileage-adjusted failure rate of 1.47% per 10,000 miles driven. The average across all makes is 5.38%, so this model is better than average.
About Mercedes Sls MOT Data
The Mercedes Sls is a rare vehicle in the UK, with 256 MOT test results recorded in our database spanning 3 manufacture years. It has an overall MOT pass rate of 97.7% and a failure rate of 2.3%, which is well above the UK average of approximately 37%.
For Mercedes Sls owners, these results suggest a reliable vehicle that generally passes its MOT without major issues. Focus your pre-MOT checks on tyres and exhaust, fuel and emissions 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 Sls is likely to perform.
Tyres — 2.0% of failures
Tyres issues account for 2.0% of MOT failures on the Mercedes Sls. 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.
Exhaust, Fuel and Emissions — 1.6% of failures
Exhaust, Fuel and Emissions issues account for 1.6% of MOT failures on the Mercedes Sls. 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.
Noise, emissions and leaks — 0.8% of failures
Noise, emissions and leaks issues account for 0.8% of MOT failures on the Mercedes Sls. 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.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the MOT pass rate for the Mercedes Sls?
Based on 256 MOT tests in our database, the Mercedes Sls has an overall pass rate of 97.7% (2.3% fail rate).
What are the most common MOT failures on a Mercedes Sls?
The top 3 reasons a Mercedes Sls fails its MOT are: 1. Tyres (2.0%), 2. Exhaust, Fuel and Emissions (1.6%), 3. Noise, emissions and leaks (0.8%). Check these areas before booking your MOT.
Is the Mercedes Sls reliable?
With a 2.3% MOT failure rate, the Sls is more reliable than average compared to the UK average of ~40%.
What should I check before an MOT on my Mercedes Sls?
Based on failure data, focus on: Tyres (2.0%); Exhaust, Fuel and Emissions (1.6%); Noise, emissions and leaks (0.8%). 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.