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Mercedes-benz SL - 1998

215.1 faults per 100 tests
Year average for all cars of 1998 is 342.9 faults per 100 tests
Dataset: MOT tests in Great Britain (period: 2024-01-01 to 2025-09-10) for Mercedes-benz SL, model year 1998. Sample size: 832 cars, 1,701 tests and 3,659 recorded faults.
0%
Less faults compared to the average car of same model year

Quick summary

Total: 832 cars

The 1998 Mercedes-Benz SL shows a significantly lower overall defect rate of 215 defects per 100 vehicles, which is 36.6% better than the average for cars of the same year, recorded at 339 defects per 100 vehicles. While tyre wear is a common issue across many vehicles, this model particularly excels in categories such as brakes, steering, visibility, and body structure, with defects significantly below the averages for these areas. Notably, the defect rates for higher mileage segments show an increasing trend, but even at higher mileages, the SL maintains a competitive performance compared to its peers. Overall, this model demonstrates strong reliability in several key areas, making it a commendable choice within its class.

Cars by mileage segment

Total: 832 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
▲ 29.1% better
105.9 faults / 100 tests
Year avg: 149.4 / 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
▲ 28.5% better
18.3 faults / 100 tests
Year avg: 25.6 / 100 tests
Visibility
▲ 41.8% better
15.3 faults / 100 tests
Year avg: 26.3 / 100 tests
Lights & Electrics
▲ 30.1% better
46.6 faults / 100 tests
Year avg: 66.7 / 100 tests
Wheels & Suspension
▲ 28.2% better
185.0 faults / 100 tests
Year avg: 257.8 / 100 tests
  • A suspension component: excessively damaged or corroded
  • A suspension joint dust cover: severely deteriorated
  • A tyre: with a lump, bulge or tear … or with cords exposed or damaged
  • Tyre tread depth not in accordance with the requirements
  • A spring: or spring component fractured or seriously weakened
Body/Structure
▲ 82.2% better
14.3 faults / 100 tests
Year avg: 80.5 / 100 tests
Equipment
▲ 76.5% better
4.8 faults / 100 tests
Year avg: 20.4 / 100 tests
Other
▲ 32.2% better
40.0 faults / 100 tests
Year avg: 59.0 / 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
0 543 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: 342
Fluid: leaking excessively and likely to harm the environment or to pose a safety risk to other road users
ADVISORY
Occurrences: 268
A suspension component: excessively damaged or corroded
ADVISORY
Occurrences: 239
A suspension joint dust cover: severely deteriorated
MINOR
Occurrences: 224
A tyre: with a lump, bulge or tear … or with cords exposed or damaged
ADVISORY
Occurrences: 221
Tyre tread depth not in accordance with the requirements
ADVISORY
Occurrences: 202
Brake disc or drum: insecure, fractured or otherwise likely to fail
ADVISORY
Occurrences: 174
A spring: or spring component fractured or seriously weakened
ADVISORY
Occurrences: 139
Flexible brake hose: excessively damaged, deteriorated, chafed, twisted or stretched
ADVISORY
Occurrences: 136
A suspension pin, bush, joint or bearing: excessively worn
ADVISORY
Occurrences: 132

Serious faults (Top 10)

A suspension joint dust cover: missing or no longer prevents the ingress of dirt etc.
FAIL
Occurrences: 102
Lamp emitted colour, position or intensity not in accordance with the requirements
FAIL
Occurrences: 34
Emissions levels exceed the manufacturer’s specified limits
FAIL
Occurrences: 25
Stop lamp(s): all missing or inoperative
FAIL
Occurrences: 22
A tyre: with a lump, bulge or tear … or with cords exposed or damaged
FAIL
Occurrences: 20
The aim of a headlamp is not within limits laid down in the requirements
FAIL
Occurrences: 19
Steering rack gaiter or ball joint dust cover: missing or no longer prevents the ingress of dirt etc.
FAIL
Occurrences: 19
Wiper blade: missing or obviously not clearing the windscreen
FAIL
Occurrences: 19
Emissions levels exceed default limits
FAIL
Occurrences: 15
Lamp: missing, inoperative or in the case of a multiple light source more than a half not functioning
FAIL
Occurrences: 15