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Mercedes-benz SL - 1986

155.5 faults per 100 tests
Year average for all cars of 1986 is 241.8 faults per 100 tests
Dataset: MOT tests in Great Britain (period: 2024-01-01 to 2025-09-10) for Mercedes-benz SL, model year 1986. Sample size: 163 cars, 310 tests and 482 recorded faults.
0%
Less faults compared to the average car of same model year

Quick summary

Total: 163 cars

The 1986 Mercedes-Benz SL has a significantly lower overall defect rate of 155 per 100 vehicles compared to the yearly average of 240 per 100, marking a 35% improvement. The model performs particularly well in categories such as brakes, steering, and body structure, showing markedly fewer issues than the average car. Notably, it demonstrates a concerning trend in higher defect rates as mileage increases, especially in the 93,000–124,000 mile range. While tyre wear is not highlighted as a primary concern, the Mercedes-Benz SL stands out for its overall reliability compared to its peers from the same year.

Cars by mileage segment

Total: 163 cars

More model years for Mercedes-benz SL

1984 1985 1986 1987 1988 1989 1991 1992 1993 1994 1995 1996 1997 1998 1999 2000 2001 2002 2003 2004 2005 2006 2007 2008 2009 2010 2011 2012 2013 2014 2015 2016 2017 2018 2019

Other models from Mercedes-benz

Mercedes-benz 190 E Mercedes-benz 300 Mercedes-benz A Mercedes-benz A 180 AMG LINE Mercedes-benz A 180 SPORT Mercedes-benz A 200 Mercedes-benz A 250 AMG LINE Mercedes-benz A-CLASS Mercedes-benz B Mercedes-benz B-CLASS Mercedes-benz C Mercedes-benz CITAN Mercedes-benz CL Mercedes-benz CL 500 Mercedes-benz CLA Mercedes-benz CLC Mercedes-benz CLK Mercedes-benz CLS Mercedes-benz E Mercedes-benz E 220 AMG Mercedes-benz EQA 250 AMG LINE Mercedes-benz EQC 400 AMG LINE Mercedes-benz ESPRINTER Mercedes-benz EVITO Mercedes-benz G Mercedes-benz G-CLASS Mercedes-benz GL Mercedes-benz GLA Mercedes-benz GLA 180 AMG LINE Mercedes-benz GLA 200 AMG LINE Mercedes-benz GLA 250 AMG LINE Mercedes-benz GLA 250 EXCLUSIVE Mercedes-benz GLB 200 AMG LINE Mercedes-benz GLB 220 AMG LINE Mercedes-benz GLC Mercedes-benz GLC 300 AMG Mercedes-benz GLC 300 AMG LINE Mercedes-benz GLE Mercedes-benz GLS Mercedes-benz GT Mercedes-benz ML Mercedes-benz R-Class Mercedes-benz S-Class Mercedes-benz SL Mercedes-benz SLC Mercedes-benz SLK Mercedes-benz SPRINTER Mercedes-benz V Mercedes-benz VIANO Mercedes-benz VITO Mercedes-benz X

Categories

Brakes
▲ 26.9% better
64.5 faults / 100 tests
Year avg: 88.2 / 100 tests
  • Brake pipe damaged or excessively corroded
  • Significant brake effort recorded with no brake applied indicating a binding brake
Steering
▲ 48.3% better
15.5 faults / 100 tests
Year avg: 30.0 / 100 tests
Visibility
▲ 20.2% better
17.4 faults / 100 tests
Year avg: 21.8 / 100 tests
Lights & Electrics
▲ 20.8% better
47.7 faults / 100 tests
Year avg: 60.2 / 100 tests
  • The aim of a headlamp is not within limits laid down in the requirements
Wheels & Suspension
▲ 38.5% better
96.8 faults / 100 tests
Year avg: 157.4 / 100 tests
  • A tyre: with a lump, bulge or tear … or with cords exposed or damaged
  • A suspension joint dust cover: severely deteriorated
  • A suspension pin, bush, joint or bearing: excessively worn
  • A spring: or spring component fractured or seriously weakened
  • A suspension joint dust cover: missing or no longer prevents the ingress of dirt etc.
Body/Structure
▲ 49.4% better
27.7 faults / 100 tests
Year avg: 54.7 / 100 tests
  • Vehicle structure corroded to the extent that: the rigidity of the assembly is significantly reduced
Equipment
▲ 73.4% better
4.5 faults / 100 tests
Year avg: 16.9 / 100 tests
Other
▲ 32.0% better
36.8 faults / 100 tests
Year avg: 54.1 / 100 tests
  • Fluid: leaking excessively and likely to harm the environment or to pose a safety risk to other road users

Fault rate by mileage segment

Model    Year average
0 464 0–31,000 mi 31,000–62,000 62,000–93,000 93,000–124,000 124,000+
* Metric: faults per 100 tests.

Most common faults (Top 10)

Fluid: leaking excessively and likely to harm the environment or to pose a safety risk to other road users
ADVISORY
Occurrences: 47
A tyre: with a lump, bulge or tear … or with cords exposed or damaged
ADVISORY
Occurrences: 37
Brake pipe damaged or excessively corroded
ADVISORY
Occurrences: 36
A suspension joint dust cover: severely deteriorated
MINOR
Occurrences: 32
A suspension pin, bush, joint or bearing: excessively worn
ADVISORY
Occurrences: 21
The aim of a headlamp is not within limits laid down in the requirements
FAIL
Occurrences: 16
Significant brake effort recorded with no brake applied indicating a binding brake
ADVISORY
Occurrences: 16
Vehicle structure corroded to the extent that: the rigidity of the assembly is significantly reduced
ADVISORY
Occurrences: 14
A spring: or spring component fractured or seriously weakened
ADVISORY
Occurrences: 14
A suspension joint dust cover: missing or no longer prevents the ingress of dirt etc.
FAIL
Occurrences: 14

Serious faults (Top 10)

The aim of a headlamp is not within limits laid down in the requirements
FAIL
Occurrences: 16
A suspension joint dust cover: missing or no longer prevents the ingress of dirt etc.
FAIL
Occurrences: 14
Significant brake effort recorded with no brake applied indicating a binding brake
FAIL
Occurrences: 12
Windscreen washers not working or not providing sufficient fluid to clear the windscreen
FAIL
Occurrences: 10
Emissions levels exceed default limits
FAIL
Occurrences: 9
Exhaust system has a major leak or is insecure
FAIL
Occurrences: 5
Wiper blade: missing or obviously not clearing the windscreen
FAIL
Occurrences: 5
A direction indicator: lamp missing, inoperative or in the case of a multiple light source more than 1/2 not functioning
FAIL
Occurrences: 4
Fuel system: leaking, or missing or ineffective filler cap
FAIL
Occurrences: 4
Steering rack gaiter or ball joint dust cover: missing or no longer prevents the ingress of dirt etc.
FAIL
Occurrences: 4