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Mercedes-benz SL - 2005

141.8 faults per 100 tests
Year average for all cars of 2005 is 377.4 faults per 100 tests
Dataset: MOT tests in Great Britain (period: 2024-01-01 to 2025-09-10) for Mercedes-benz SL, model year 2005. Sample size: 1,410 cars, 3,130 tests and 4,438 recorded faults.
0%
Less faults compared to the average car of same model year

Quick summary

Total: 1,410 cars

The 2005 Mercedes-Benz SL has an overall defect rate of 142 defects per 100 vehicles, which is significantly lower than the yearly average of 376 defects, marking a 62% improvement. Notably, this model excels in several categories, particularly brakes, where it shows 42% fewer defects compared to the average, and steering, with an impressive 80% reduction. Other categories where the SL performs well include visibility, lights and electrics, and body structure, all of which exhibit substantially lower defect rates than typical for its year. In terms of mileage trends, defect rates increase with distance, particularly evident in the higher mileage segments. Overall, the SL stands out as a reliable option compared to its peers from the same year.

Cars by mileage segment

Total: 1,410 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
▲ 41.0% better
93.5 faults / 100 tests
Year avg: 158.5 / 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
  • Brake disc or drum: significantly and obviously worn
Steering
▲ 79.5% better
4.6 faults / 100 tests
Year avg: 22.4 / 100 tests
Visibility
▲ 56.0% better
12.5 faults / 100 tests
Year avg: 28.4 / 100 tests
Lights & Electrics
▲ 79.5% better
22.6 faults / 100 tests
Year avg: 110.1 / 100 tests
Wheels & Suspension
▲ 59.0% better
128.9 faults / 100 tests
Year avg: 314.1 / 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
Body/Structure
▲ 92.2% better
4.8 faults / 100 tests
Year avg: 61.5 / 100 tests
Equipment
▲ 87.6% better
1.6 faults / 100 tests
Year avg: 12.9 / 100 tests
Other
▲ 67.9% better
15.0 faults / 100 tests
Year avg: 46.7 / 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
0 520 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: 500
Brake pipe damaged or excessively corroded
ADVISORY
Occurrences: 467
A tyre: with a lump, bulge or tear … or with cords exposed or damaged
ADVISORY
Occurrences: 432
Brake disc or drum: insecure, fractured or otherwise likely to fail
ADVISORY
Occurrences: 313
A suspension pin, bush, joint or bearing: excessively worn
ADVISORY
Occurrences: 287
Fluid: leaking excessively and likely to harm the environment or to pose a safety risk to other road users
ADVISORY
Occurrences: 181
Brake lining or pad: worn below 1.5mm
ADVISORY
Occurrences: 171
A wheel bearing: with excessive play
ADVISORY
Occurrences: 164
Flexible brake hose: excessively damaged, deteriorated, chafed, twisted or stretched
ADVISORY
Occurrences: 154
Brake disc or drum: significantly and obviously worn
ADVISORY
Occurrences: 86

Serious faults (Top 10)

A suspension pin, bush, joint or bearing: excessively worn
FAIL
Occurrences: 82
A tyre: with a lump, bulge or tear … or with cords exposed or damaged
FAIL
Occurrences: 78
A spring: or spring component fractured or seriously weakened
FAIL
Occurrences: 74
Brake pipe damaged or excessively corroded
FAIL
Occurrences: 50
Tyre tread depth not in accordance with the requirements
FAIL
Occurrences: 34
Wiper blade: missing or obviously not clearing the windscreen
FAIL
Occurrences: 24
A tyre: with a cut in excess of the requirements deep enough to reach the ply or cords
FAIL
Occurrences: 23
Engine MIL inoperative or indicating a malfunction
FAIL
Occurrences: 22
Brake lining or pad: worn below 1.5mm
FAIL
Occurrences: 21
A suspension joint dust cover: missing or no longer prevents the ingress of dirt etc.
FAIL
Occurrences: 19