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Mercedes-benz SL - 1988

165.0 faults per 100 tests
Year average for all cars of 1988 is 253.5 faults per 100 tests
Dataset: MOT tests in Great Britain (period: 2024-01-01 to 2025-09-10) for Mercedes-benz SL, model year 1988. Sample size: 158 cars, 300 tests and 495 recorded faults.
0%
Less faults compared to the average car of same model year

Quick summary

Total: 158 cars

The 1988 Mercedes-Benz SL demonstrates a significantly lower overall defect rate compared to the average car of the same year, with 165 defects per 100 vehicles against the average of 249. Notably, the SL excels in several categories, particularly in brakes and body structure, where it shows defects at half and a quarter of the average rates, respectively. It also performs better than average in steering, lights and electrics, and equipment. While there are some higher defect rates observed at lower mileage intervals, the model's performance remains strong overall, highlighting its reliability in key areas.

Cars by mileage segment

Total: 158 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
▲ 51.7% better
46.0 faults / 100 tests
Year avg: 95.2 / 100 tests
  • Brake pipe damaged or excessively corroded
  • Significant brake effort recorded with no brake applied indicating a binding brake
Steering
▲ 28.6% better
20.0 faults / 100 tests
Year avg: 28.0 / 100 tests
Visibility
▲ 12.6% better
18.7 faults / 100 tests
Year avg: 21.4 / 100 tests
Lights & Electrics
▲ 42.9% better
36.7 faults / 100 tests
Year avg: 64.3 / 100 tests
  • The aim of a headlamp is not within limits laid down in the requirements
Wheels & Suspension
▲ 10.2% better
144.7 faults / 100 tests
Year avg: 161.2 / 100 tests
  • A suspension joint dust cover: severely deteriorated
  • A tyre: with a lump, bulge or tear … or with cords exposed or damaged
  • A suspension pin, bush, joint or bearing: excessively worn
  • Tyre tread depth not in accordance with the requirements
  • The strength or continuity of the load bearing structure within 30cm … is significantly reduced or inadequately repaired
Body/Structure
▲ 65.6% better
22.0 faults / 100 tests
Year avg: 64.0 / 100 tests
  • Exhaust system has a major leak or is insecure
Equipment
▲ 93.0% better
1.3 faults / 100 tests
Year avg: 18.5 / 100 tests
Other
▲ 25.0% better
40.7 faults / 100 tests
Year avg: 54.3 / 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
0 489 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: 48
A suspension joint dust cover: severely deteriorated
MINOR
Occurrences: 46
A tyre: with a lump, bulge or tear … or with cords exposed or damaged
ADVISORY
Occurrences: 41
A suspension pin, bush, joint or bearing: excessively worn
ADVISORY
Occurrences: 40
Tyre tread depth not in accordance with the requirements
ADVISORY
Occurrences: 28
The strength or continuity of the load bearing structure within 30cm … is significantly reduced or inadequately repaired
ADVISORY
Occurrences: 23
Brake pipe damaged or excessively corroded
ADVISORY
Occurrences: 21
Significant brake effort recorded with no brake applied indicating a binding brake
ADVISORY
Occurrences: 17
The aim of a headlamp is not within limits laid down in the requirements
FAIL
Occurrences: 16
Exhaust system has a major leak or is insecure
ADVISORY
Occurrences: 13

Serious faults (Top 10)

The aim of a headlamp is not within limits laid down in the requirements
FAIL
Occurrences: 16
Windscreen washers not working or not providing sufficient fluid to clear the windscreen
FAIL
Occurrences: 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
A direction indicator: lamp missing, inoperative or in the case of a multiple light source more than 1/2 not functioning
FAIL
Occurrences: 7
Mandatory hazard warning device inoperative
FAIL
Occurrences: 4
Significant brake effort recorded with no brake applied indicating a binding brake
FAIL
Occurrences: 3
Wiper blade: missing or obviously not clearing the windscreen
FAIL
Occurrences: 3
Headlamp levelling device inoperative
FAIL
Occurrences: 2
The strength or continuity of the load bearing structure within 30cm … is significantly reduced or inadequately repaired
FAIL
Occurrences: 2