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Mercedes-benz SL - 1999

215.2 faults per 100 tests
Year average for all cars of 1999 is 349.1 faults per 100 tests
Dataset: MOT tests in Great Britain (period: 2024-01-01 to 2025-09-10) for Mercedes-benz SL, model year 1999. Sample size: 634 cars, 1,258 tests and 2,707 recorded faults.
0%
Less faults compared to the average car of same model year

Quick summary

Total: 634 cars

The 1999 Mercedes-Benz SL exhibits an overall defect rate of 215 per 100 vehicles, which is significantly lower than the yearly average of 345 per 100, representing a 38% improvement. Mileage-related trends reveal that as mileage increases, the defect rate for this model also rises, particularly in the highest mileage category over 124,000 miles, where it reaches 462 per 100. The SL stands out positively in several categories, including Brakes and Visibility, with defect rates that are considerably lower than the averages for similar vehicles. Notably, the SL performs exceptionally well in Body/Structure and Equipment, showing defects at just 9% and 4% respectively compared to much higher averages.

Cars by mileage segment

Total: 634 cars

Categories

Brakes
▲ 26.4% better
112.9 faults / 100 tests
Year avg: 153.4 / 100 tests
  • Brake pipe damaged or excessively corroded
  • Flexible brake hose: excessively damaged, deteriorated, chafed, twisted or stretched
  • Brake disc or drum: insecure, fractured or otherwise likely to fail
Steering
▲ 27.4% better
18.8 faults / 100 tests
Year avg: 25.9 / 100 tests
Visibility
▲ 48.5% better
13.7 faults / 100 tests
Year avg: 26.6 / 100 tests
Lights & Electrics
▲ 41.0% better
43.1 faults / 100 tests
Year avg: 73.0 / 100 tests
Wheels & Suspension
▲ 25.7% better
198.3 faults / 100 tests
Year avg: 266.9 / 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 component: excessively damaged or corroded
  • Tyre tread depth not in accordance with the requirements
  • A suspension pin, bush, joint or bearing: excessively worn
Body/Structure
▲ 88.6% better
8.7 faults / 100 tests
Year avg: 76.5 / 100 tests
Equipment
▲ 76.6% better
4.5 faults / 100 tests
Year avg: 19.2 / 100 tests
Other
▲ 46.0% better
30.5 faults / 100 tests
Year avg: 56.5 / 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
0 538 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: 260
A suspension joint dust cover: severely deteriorated
MINOR
Occurrences: 198
A tyre: with a lump, bulge or tear … or with cords exposed or damaged
ADVISORY
Occurrences: 198
A suspension component: excessively damaged or corroded
ADVISORY
Occurrences: 190
Fluid: leaking excessively and likely to harm the environment or to pose a safety risk to other road users
ADVISORY
Occurrences: 165
Flexible brake hose: excessively damaged, deteriorated, chafed, twisted or stretched
ADVISORY
Occurrences: 126
Tyre tread depth not in accordance with the requirements
ADVISORY
Occurrences: 122
A suspension pin, bush, joint or bearing: excessively worn
ADVISORY
Occurrences: 117
Brake disc or drum: insecure, fractured or otherwise likely to fail
ADVISORY
Occurrences: 99
A spring: or spring component fractured or seriously weakened
ADVISORY
Occurrences: 94

Serious faults (Top 10)

A suspension joint dust cover: missing or no longer prevents the ingress of dirt etc.
FAIL
Occurrences: 75
A tyre: with a lump, bulge or tear … or with cords exposed or damaged
FAIL
Occurrences: 23
The aim of a headlamp is not within limits laid down in the requirements
FAIL
Occurrences: 18
Lamp emitted colour, position or intensity not in accordance with the requirements
FAIL
Occurrences: 18
Steering rack gaiter or ball joint dust cover: missing or no longer prevents the ingress of dirt etc.
FAIL
Occurrences: 13
A direction indicator: lamp missing, inoperative or in the case of a multiple light source more than 1/2 not functioning
FAIL
Occurrences: 12
Wiper blade: missing or obviously not clearing the windscreen
FAIL
Occurrences: 11
Brake pipe damaged or excessively corroded
FAIL
Occurrences: 10
A headlamp: missing, inoperative or more than ½ not functioning in the case of LED
FAIL
Occurrences: 10
An SRS malfunction indicator lamp (MIL) indicates a system malfunction
FAIL
Occurrences: 10