2011 · 13 years old at test · Petrol mostly

2011 Mercedes-Benz SLK MOT pass rate and common faults

2,487 MOT tests in 2024. 77.0% passed first time, compared with 61.8% for all cars the same age.

125Well above average
Passed first time77.0%
Failed or needed repairs23.0%
Typical mileage at test58,000

Most common reasons for failing

Share of all 2,487 tests where this item caused a failure.

  1. Coil spring: fractured or broken4.8%
  2. Rigid brake pipes: excessively corroded2.2%
  3. Suspension arms - ball joint: ball joint excessively worn2.1%
  4. Tread depth below requirements of 1.6mm2.0%
    74 marked dangerous
  5. Tyres - condition: has ply or cords exposed1.8%
    58 marked dangerous
  6. Linkage ball joint dust cover: ball joint dust cover no longer prevents the ingress of dirt1.6%
  7. Suspension arms - ball joint dust cover: ball joint dust cover no longer prevents the ingress of dirt1.4%
  8. Tyres - condition: has a cut in excess of the requirements deep enough to reach the ply or cords1.3%
  9. Brake pads: less than 1.5 mm thick1.1%
    41 marked dangerous
  10. Anti-lock braking system: warning lamp indicates an ABS fault1.0%

Problem areas

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

  1. Suspension12.7%
  2. Brakes7.7%
  3. Tyres6.7%
  4. Lights & electrics5.1%
  5. Visibility (wipers, screen, mirrors)1.8%
  6. Emissions & leaks1.4%
  7. Body & chassis1.1%
  8. Wheels0.4%

Most common advisories

Not failures yet, but things the tester warned about.

  1. Tread depth below requirements of 1.6mm15.3%
  2. Rigid brake pipes: excessively corroded12.9%
  3. Brake discs: in such a condition that it is seriously weakened9.4%
  4. Tyres - condition: has a tear, caused by separation or partial failure of its structure7.6%
  5. Brake pads: less than 1.5 mm thick5.6%

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: coil spring: fractured or broken. 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 2011 Mercedes-Benz SLK?

In 2024, 77.0% of 2011 Mercedes-Benz SLK cars passed their MOT first time, across 2,487 tests. The average for all 13-year-old cars was 61.8%.

What are the most common MOT failures on a 2011 Mercedes-Benz SLK?

The most common failure reasons were coil spring: fractured or broken; rigid brake pipes: excessively corroded; suspension arms - ball joint: ball joint excessively worn. The biggest problem area was suspension.

Is the 2011 Mercedes-Benz SLK reliable at MOT time?

Its MOT Rank score is 125, which is well above average for a car of its age (100 means exactly average).