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Mercedes-benz SL - 1997

236.4 faults per 100 tests
Year average for all cars of 1997 is 338.4 faults per 100 tests
Dataset: MOT tests in Great Britain (period: 2024-01-01 to 2025-09-10) for Mercedes-benz SL, model year 1997. Sample size: 793 cars, 1,579 tests and 3,732 recorded faults.
0%
Less faults compared to the average car of same model year

Quick summary

Total: 793 cars

The 1997 Mercedes-Benz SL has a lower overall defect rate of 236 per 100 vehicles, which is 29% better than the average car of the same year, recorded at 335 per 100. Notably, this model shows significant strengths in visibility, lights and electrics, body structure, and equipment, with defect rates considerably better than the average in these categories. Mileage trends indicate that as the distance driven increases, the defect rate rises sharply, particularly in the highest mileage bracket. Overall, the Mercedes-Benz SL stands out as a reliable choice within its age group, especially regarding structural and visibility issues.

Cars by mileage segment

Total: 793 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
▲ 12.4% better
123.6 faults / 100 tests
Year avg: 141.1 / 100 tests
  • Brake pipe damaged or excessively corroded
  • Brake disc or drum: insecure, fractured or otherwise likely to fail
  • Flexible brake hose: excessively damaged, deteriorated, chafed, twisted or stretched
Steering
▲ 18.2% better
22.4 faults / 100 tests
Year avg: 27.4 / 100 tests
Visibility
▲ 52.4% better
12.0 faults / 100 tests
Year avg: 25.2 / 100 tests
Lights & Electrics
▲ 27.3% better
47.6 faults / 100 tests
Year avg: 65.5 / 100 tests
Wheels & Suspension
▲ 20.4% better
199.6 faults / 100 tests
Year avg: 250.7 / 100 tests
  • A suspension component: excessively damaged or corroded
  • A tyre: with a lump, bulge or tear … or with cords exposed or damaged
  • Tyre tread depth not in accordance with the requirements
  • A suspension joint dust cover: severely deteriorated
  • A spring: or spring component fractured or seriously weakened
Body/Structure
▲ 82.6% better
14.6 faults / 100 tests
Year avg: 83.8 / 100 tests
Equipment
▲ 81.4% better
4.1 faults / 100 tests
Year avg: 22.1 / 100 tests
Other
▲ 20.0% better
48.8 faults / 100 tests
Year avg: 61.0 / 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
0 535 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)

Brake pipe damaged or excessively corroded
ADVISORY
Occurrences: 483
Fluid: leaking excessively and likely to harm the environment or to pose a safety risk to other road users
ADVISORY
Occurrences: 320
A suspension component: excessively damaged or corroded
ADVISORY
Occurrences: 303
A tyre: with a lump, bulge or tear … or with cords exposed or damaged
ADVISORY
Occurrences: 245
Tyre tread depth not in accordance with the requirements
ADVISORY
Occurrences: 174
A suspension joint dust cover: severely deteriorated
MINOR
Occurrences: 174
A spring: or spring component fractured or seriously weakened
ADVISORY
Occurrences: 170
Brake disc or drum: insecure, fractured or otherwise likely to fail
ADVISORY
Occurrences: 138
A suspension pin, bush, joint or bearing: excessively worn
ADVISORY
Occurrences: 122
Flexible brake hose: excessively damaged, deteriorated, chafed, twisted or stretched
ADVISORY
Occurrences: 120

Serious faults (Top 10)

A suspension pin, bush, joint or bearing: excessively worn
FAIL
Occurrences: 32
A suspension joint dust cover: missing or no longer prevents the ingress of dirt etc.
FAIL
Occurrences: 30
Lamp emitted colour, position or intensity not in accordance with the requirements
FAIL
Occurrences: 29
Emissions levels exceed default limits
FAIL
Occurrences: 26
A direction indicator: lamp missing, inoperative or in the case of a multiple light source more than 1/2 not functioning
FAIL
Occurrences: 19
A tyre: with a lump, bulge or tear … or with cords exposed or damaged
FAIL
Occurrences: 18
Emissions levels exceed the manufacturer’s specified limits
FAIL
Occurrences: 18
Brake pipe damaged or excessively corroded
FAIL
Occurrences: 14
The aim of a headlamp is not within limits laid down in the requirements
FAIL
Occurrences: 13
Steering rack gaiter or ball joint dust cover: missing or no longer prevents the ingress of dirt etc.
FAIL
Occurrences: 13