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Mercedes-benz SL - 2004

143.7 faults per 100 tests
Year average for all cars of 2004 is 384.6 faults per 100 tests
Dataset: MOT tests in Great Britain (period: 2024-01-01 to 2025-09-10) for Mercedes-benz SL, model year 2004. Sample size: 2,329 cars, 5,066 tests and 7,280 recorded faults.
0%
Less faults compared to the average car of same model year

Quick summary

Total: 2,329 cars

The 2004 Mercedes-Benz SL shows an overall defect rate of 144 defects per 100 vehicles, significantly lower than the yearly average of 382 defects per 100 vehicles, indicating a 62% improvement. Notably, this model excels in several categories, particularly in brakes and steering, where it has markedly fewer defects compared to the average. The SL also performs better in visibility and lights, suggesting strong reliability in these areas. Mileage trends reveal that defect rates increase with mileage, particularly in the higher mileage brackets, but overall, this model stands out positively compared to its peers.

Cars by mileage segment

Total: 2,329 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
▲ 40.4% better
97.9 faults / 100 tests
Year avg: 164.2 / 100 tests
  • Brake pipe damaged or excessively corroded
  • Brake disc or drum: insecure, fractured or otherwise likely to fail
  • Brake lining or pad: worn below 1.5mm
  • Flexible brake hose: excessively damaged, deteriorated, chafed, twisted or stretched
Steering
▲ 80.7% better
4.8 faults / 100 tests
Year avg: 24.9 / 100 tests
Visibility
▲ 53.9% better
13.5 faults / 100 tests
Year avg: 29.3 / 100 tests
Lights & Electrics
▲ 82.6% better
19.1 faults / 100 tests
Year avg: 109.9 / 100 tests
Wheels & Suspension
▲ 57.7% better
132.3 faults / 100 tests
Year avg: 312.9 / 100 tests
  • Tyre tread depth not in accordance with the requirements
  • A tyre: with a lump, bulge or tear … or with cords exposed or damaged
  • A suspension pin, bush, joint or bearing: excessively worn
  • A wheel bearing: with excessive play
  • A shock absorber damaged … or showing signs of severe leakage
Body/Structure
▲ 92.9% better
4.5 faults / 100 tests
Year avg: 63.6 / 100 tests
Equipment
▲ 76.8% better
3.2 faults / 100 tests
Year avg: 13.8 / 100 tests
Other
▲ 76.0% better
12.1 faults / 100 tests
Year avg: 50.5 / 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
0 533 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)

Tyre tread depth not in accordance with the requirements
ADVISORY
Occurrences: 856
Brake pipe damaged or excessively corroded
ADVISORY
Occurrences: 795
A tyre: with a lump, bulge or tear … or with cords exposed or damaged
ADVISORY
Occurrences: 633
A suspension pin, bush, joint or bearing: excessively worn
ADVISORY
Occurrences: 569
Brake disc or drum: insecure, fractured or otherwise likely to fail
ADVISORY
Occurrences: 534
Brake lining or pad: worn below 1.5mm
ADVISORY
Occurrences: 277
Flexible brake hose: excessively damaged, deteriorated, chafed, twisted or stretched
ADVISORY
Occurrences: 244
Fluid: leaking excessively and likely to harm the environment or to pose a safety risk to other road users
ADVISORY
Occurrences: 233
A wheel bearing: with excessive play
ADVISORY
Occurrences: 194
A shock absorber damaged … or showing signs of severe leakage
ADVISORY
Occurrences: 148

Serious faults (Top 10)

A suspension pin, bush, joint or bearing: excessively worn
FAIL
Occurrences: 119
A tyre: with a lump, bulge or tear … or with cords exposed or damaged
FAIL
Occurrences: 115
A spring: or spring component fractured or seriously weakened
FAIL
Occurrences: 89
Brake pipe damaged or excessively corroded
FAIL
Occurrences: 70
A suspension joint dust cover: missing or no longer prevents the ingress of dirt etc.
FAIL
Occurrences: 61
Tyre tread depth not in accordance with the requirements
FAIL
Occurrences: 37
A tyre: with a cut in excess of the requirements deep enough to reach the ply or cords
FAIL
Occurrences: 32
Parking brake efficiency: below minimum requirement
FAIL
Occurrences: 31
Warning device shows system malfunction
FAIL
Occurrences: 31
Wiper blade: missing or obviously not clearing the windscreen
FAIL
Occurrences: 30