1995 · 29 years old at test · Petrol mostly

1995 Mercedes-Benz SL MOT pass rate and common faults

519 MOT tests in 2024. 79.2% passed first time, compared with 66.8% for all cars the same age.

119Well above average
Passed first time79.2%
Failed or needed repairs20.8%
Typical mileage at test95,000

Most common reasons for failing

Share of all 519 tests where this item caused a failure.

  1. Side repeaters: not working3.7%
  2. Individual direction indicators: incorrect colour2.1%
  3. Catalyst emissions: carbon monoxide content after 2nd fast idle exceeds manufacturer's specified limits1.5%
  4. Rigid brake pipes: excessively corroded1.3%
  5. Catalyst emissions: Lambda reading after 2nd fast idle outside specified limits1.3%
  6. Catalyst emissions: carbon monoxide content after 2nd fast idle exceeds default limits1.2%
  7. Washers: not working1.2%
  8. Brake pads: less than 1.5 mm thick1.0%
    10 marked dangerous
  9. Wipers: does not clear the windscreen effectively1.0%

Problem areas

Failure items found per 100 tests, by part of the car.

  1. Lights & electrics16.6%
  2. Brakes8.7%
  3. Emissions & leaks7.5%
  4. Visibility (wipers, screen, mirrors)4.6%
  5. Suspension4.6%
  6. Tyres2.9%
  7. Steering2.7%
  8. Body & chassis2.7%

Most common advisories

Not failures yet, but things the tester warned about.

  1. Rigid brake pipes: excessively corroded15.4%
  2. Engine oil leaks: leaking excessively from engine14.1%
  3. Coil spring: corroded so that its cross sectional area is reduced and seriously weakened9.1%
  4. Tyres - condition: has a tear, caused by separation or partial failure of its structure8.7%
  5. Tread depth below requirements of 1.6mm7.3%

What this means if you are buying one

This model year does better than most cars its age, so it is a reasonable used buy on MOT record alone. Before buying, check the area that fails most: side repeaters: not working. Then look up the car's own MOT history on GOV.UK with its number plate, and look for repeat advisories.

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Questions

What is the MOT pass rate for a 1995 Mercedes-Benz SL?

In 2024, 79.2% of 1995 Mercedes-Benz SL cars passed their MOT first time, across 519 tests. The average for all 29-year-old cars was 66.8%.

What are the most common MOT failures on a 1995 Mercedes-Benz SL?

The most common failure reasons were side repeaters: not working; individual direction indicators: incorrect colour; catalyst emissions: carbon monoxide content after 2nd fast idle exceeds manufacturer's specified limits. The biggest problem area was lights & electrics.

Is the 1995 Mercedes-Benz SL reliable at MOT time?

Its MOT Rank score is 119, which is well above average for a car of its age (100 means exactly average).