MOT failure data · 2025

Mercedes-Benz SL MOT problems

Across every Mercedes-Benz SL that failed its 2025 MOT, the defect testers recorded most often was ball joint ball joint excessively worn, on 5.32% of failure items. The broadest problem area was suspension at 22.72%. These are recorded defects across the model, not a diagnosis of any one car.

Most common Mercedes-Benz SL MOT failures

#	Recorded defect	Area	Share
1	Ball joint ball joint excessively worn	Suspension	5.32%
2	Ball joint dust cover ball joint dust cover no longer prevents the ingress of dirt	Suspension	4.98%
3	Condition has a cut in excess of the requirements deep enough to reach the ply or cords	Tyres	4.33%
4	Condition has ply or cords exposed	Tyres	4.11%
5	Coil spring fractured or broken	Suspension	4.05%
6	Condition has a tear, caused by separation or partial failure of its structure	Tyres	3.49%
7	Rigid brake pipes excessively corroded	Brakes	3.37%
8	Tread depth tread depth below requirements of 1.6mm	Tyres	2.59%
9	Wipers does not clear the windscreen effectively	Visibility	2.47%
10	Pins and bushes pin or bush excessively worn	Suspension	2.15%

Shares are of all recorded failure items for this model, so they sum to less than 100% — a single failed test often records several defects, and the long tail below the top 10 is not shown.

What this means if you are buying one

Use it as a viewing checklist. If you are looking at a Mercedes-Benz SL, these are the areas worth inspecting and worth asking about — and worth reading the car's own MOT history for, since a defect that keeps reappearing as an advisory is a better signal than any model-wide average.

The MOT record also has hard limits: it does not check the engine, clutch or gearbox, and it says nothing about outstanding finance, insurance write-off history, stolen markers or whether the mileage is genuine. Our used Mercedes-Benz SL buying guide covers what to check beyond the MOT.

Checking a specific Mercedes-Benz SL?

Enter its registration for finance, write-off, stolen, mileage and keeper history.

Other Mercedes-Benz models

Mercedes-Benz SL MOT FAQs

What does a Mercedes-Benz SL most commonly fail its MOT on?

The single most recorded defect on Mercedes-Benz SL cars failing their 2025 MOT was "ball joint ball joint excessively worn", appearing on 5.32% of failure items.

Does this mean my Mercedes-Benz SL will fail?

No. This is what testers recorded across every Mercedes-Benz SL that failed in 2025. It shows where this model tends to need attention, not the condition of any individual car. The Mercedes-Benz SL passed 85.22% of its initial tests.

How do I see a specific Mercedes-Benz SL's MOT history?

Enter its registration on our free MOT history check to see that car's own test results, advisories and recorded mileages.

Defect counts from the DVSA MOT Anonymised test-item data for 2025 (class 4 initial tests, failure items only — advisories and minor defects excluded), licensed under the Open Government Licence v3.0.