1998 · 26 years old at test · Petrol mostly

1998 Mercedes-Benz SL MOT pass rate and common faults

676 MOT tests in 2024. 79.7% passed first time, compared with 64.9% for all cars the same age.

123Well above average
Passed first time79.7%
Failed or needed repairs20.3%
Typical mileage at test84,000

Most common reasons for failing

Share of all 676 tests where this item caused a failure.

  1. Suspension arms - ball joint dust cover: ball joint dust cover no longer prevents the ingress of dirt4.0%
  2. Catalyst emissions: carbon monoxide content after 2nd fast idle exceeds manufacturer's specified limits1.8%
  3. Stop lamp: not working1.8%
  4. Catalyst emissions: Lambda reading after 2nd fast idle outside specified limits1.3%
  5. Wipers: does not clear the windscreen effectively1.2%
  6. Individual direction indicators: incorrect colour1.0%
  7. Position lamp: not working1.0%
  8. Service brake performance: efficiency below requirements0.7%
  9. Headlamp aim: too high0.7%

Problem areas

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

  1. Lights & electrics10.9%
  2. Suspension5.6%
  3. Emissions & leaks5.5%
  4. Brakes5.3%
  5. Visibility (wipers, screen, mirrors)3.8%
  6. Tyres2.2%
  7. Steering1.9%
  8. Seat belts & airbags0.9%

Most common advisories

Not failures yet, but things the tester warned about.

  1. Rigid brake pipes: excessively corroded14.6%
  2. Engine oil leaks: leaking excessively from engine11.5%
  3. Tyres - condition: has a tear, caused by separation or partial failure of its structure7.5%
  4. Wheel bearings: has excessive play5.8%
  5. Brake discs: in such a condition that it is seriously weakened5.8%

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: suspension arms - ball joint dust cover: ball joint dust cover no longer prevents the ingress of dirt. Then look up the car's own MOT history on GOV.UK with its number plate, and look for repeat advisories.

← 1997 SLAll SL years1999 SL →

Questions

What is the MOT pass rate for a 1998 Mercedes-Benz SL?

In 2024, 79.7% of 1998 Mercedes-Benz SL cars passed their MOT first time, across 676 tests. The average for all 26-year-old cars was 64.9%.

What are the most common MOT failures on a 1998 Mercedes-Benz SL?

The most common failure reasons were suspension arms - ball joint dust cover: ball joint dust cover no longer prevents the ingress of dirt; catalyst emissions: carbon monoxide content after 2nd fast idle exceeds manufacturer's specified limits; stop lamp: not working. The biggest problem area was lights & electrics.

Is the 1998 Mercedes-Benz SL reliable at MOT time?

Its MOT Rank score is 123, which is well above average for a car of its age (100 means exactly average).