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Mercedes-benz SL - 1987

138.8 faults per 100 tests
Year average for all cars of 1987 is 238.3 faults per 100 tests
Dataset: MOT tests in Great Britain (period: 2024-01-01 to 2025-09-10) for Mercedes-benz SL, model year 1987. Sample size: 134 cars, 260 tests and 361 recorded faults.
0%
Less faults compared to the average car of same model year

Quick summary

Total: 134 cars

The 1987 Mercedes-Benz SL exhibits an overall defect rate of 139 defects per 100 vehicles, which is significantly lower than the yearly average of 234 defects per 100 vehicles, marking a 41% improvement. This model performs particularly well in several categories, notably in brakes, visibility, and equipment, with defect rates considerably below the average. For instance, the SL has a brake defect rate of 51% compared to the average of 86%. Additionally, while the defect rates increase with mileage, the SL maintains a lower defect frequency even at higher mileage intervals. Overall, this vehicle proves to be more reliable than the typical car from the same year.

Cars by mileage segment

Total: 134 cars

Categories

Brakes
▲ 42.1% better
50.8 faults / 100 tests
Year avg: 87.7 / 100 tests
  • Brake pipe damaged or excessively corroded
  • Brake hose ferrules: excessively corroded
Steering
▲ 34.0% better
19.2 faults / 100 tests
Year avg: 29.1 / 100 tests
  • Power steering fluid leaking or system malfunctioning
Visibility
▲ 50.7% better
10.0 faults / 100 tests
Year avg: 20.3 / 100 tests
Lights & Electrics
▲ 62.1% better
23.8 faults / 100 tests
Year avg: 62.8 / 100 tests
Wheels & Suspension
▲ 34.3% better
97.7 faults / 100 tests
Year avg: 148.8 / 100 tests
  • A tyre: with a lump, bulge or tear … or with cords exposed or damaged
  • A suspension joint dust cover: severely deteriorated
  • A spring: or spring component fractured or seriously weakened
  • The strength or continuity of the load bearing structure within 30cm … is significantly reduced or inadequately repaired
  • Tyre tread depth not in accordance with the requirements
Body/Structure
▲ 61.3% better
20.8 faults / 100 tests
Year avg: 53.7 / 100 tests
Equipment
▲ 92.8% better
1.5 faults / 100 tests
Year avg: 20.9 / 100 tests
Other
▼ 1.5% worse
53.8 faults / 100 tests
Year avg: 53.0 / 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
0 472 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: 56
A tyre: with a lump, bulge or tear … or with cords exposed or damaged
ADVISORY
Occurrences: 31
Brake pipe damaged or excessively corroded
ADVISORY
Occurrences: 28
A suspension joint dust cover: severely deteriorated
MINOR
Occurrences: 22
A spring: or spring component fractured or seriously weakened
ADVISORY
Occurrences: 16
Brake hose ferrules: excessively corroded
ADVISORY
Occurrences: 15
The strength or continuity of the load bearing structure within 30cm … is significantly reduced or inadequately repaired
ADVISORY
Occurrences: 14
Tyre tread depth not in accordance with the requirements
ADVISORY
Occurrences: 13
A suspension pin, bush, joint or bearing: excessively worn
ADVISORY
Occurrences: 10
Power steering fluid leaking or system malfunctioning
ADVISORY
Occurrences: 10

Serious faults (Top 10)

Emissions levels exceed default limits
FAIL
Occurrences: 9
A suspension joint dust cover: missing or no longer prevents the ingress of dirt etc.
FAIL
Occurrences: 8
Vehicle structure corroded to the extent that: the rigidity of the assembly is significantly reduced
FAIL
Occurrences: 6
An obligatory rear fog lamp missing, or a front or rear fog lamp inoperative or in the case of a multiple light source more than 1/2 not functioning
FAIL
Occurrences: 5
Body, cab or chassis: excessively corroded at mounting points
FAIL
Occurrences: 5
Windscreen washers not working or not providing sufficient fluid to clear the windscreen
FAIL
Occurrences: 4
Beam image obviously incorrect
FAIL
Occurrences: 4
A tyre: with a cut in excess of the requirements deep enough to reach the ply or cords
FAIL
Occurrences: 3
The strength or continuity of the load bearing structure within 30cm … is significantly reduced or inadequately repaired
FAIL
Occurrences: 3
Wiper blade: missing or obviously not clearing the windscreen
FAIL
Occurrences: 2