MOT Results

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Mercedes-Benz SL MOT Results

79.9% pass rate
from 1,474 tests in 2021
(26% better than other pre-1990 cars)
Number of tests by age
More MoT Results
Failure rates by item

Here you can drill down into the failure rates for each item on the test. We've also compared the rates to the average results for pre-1990 cars and highlighted areas where the Mercedes-Benz SL is unusually good or bad.

  • 8.3% fail on Lamps, reflectors and electrical equipment (34% better than other pre-1990 cars)
    • 4.5% fail on Headlamp aim
      • 4.4% fail on Headlamp aim
      • 0.068% fail on Headlamp aim not tested
    • 1.4% fail on Direction indicators (52% better than other pre-1990 cars)
      • 1.4% fail on Flashing type (52% better than other pre-1990 cars)
        • 0.68% fail on All direction indicators
        • 0.41% fail on Individual direction indicators (75% better than other pre-1990 cars)
        • 0.27% fail on Side repeaters
        • 0.068% fail on Switch
    • 1.2% fail on Stop lamp (53% better than other pre-1990 cars)
    • 1.1% fail on Front and rear fog lamps (53% better than other pre-1990 cars)
      • 1.1% fail on Rear fog lamp (53% better than other pre-1990 cars)
        • 1.1% fail on Rear fog lamp (53% better than other pre-1990 cars)
    • 0.95% fail on Headlamps (68% better than other pre-1990 cars)
      • 0.81% fail on Headlamp (72% better than other pre-1990 cars)
      • 0.14% fail on Headlamp levelling device
    • 0.88% fail on Electrical equipment (52% better than other pre-1990 cars)
      • 0.54% fail on Horn
      • 0.34% fail on Battery(ies)
      • 0.068% fail on Electrical wiring
    • 0.41% fail on Registration plate lamp(s) (68% better than other pre-1990 cars)
    • 0.27% fail on Hazard warning
      • 0.27% fail on Switch
    • 0.27% fail on Mandatory tell-tales
      • 0.27% fail on Rear fog lamp tell-tale
      • 0.068% fail on Main beam tell-tale
    • 0.068% fail on Position lamps
      • 0.068% fail on Position lamp
  • 5.4% fail on Suspension (27% better than other pre-1990 cars)
    • 2.5% fail on Component mounting prescribed areas
    • 1.0% fail on Suspension arms
      • 0.61% fail on Ball joint dust cover
      • 0.27% fail on Ball joint
      • 0.20% fail on Suspension arm
    • 0.81% fail on Anti-roll bars
      • 0.34% fail on Linkage (4 times worse than other pre-1990 cars)
      • 0.14% fail on Attachment bracket and mounting
      • 0.14% fail on Linkage pins and bushes
      • 0.14% fail on Linkage ball joints
      • 0.068% fail on Pins and bushes
    • 0.61% fail on Springs
      • 0.54% fail on Coil springs
        • 0.54% fail on Coil spring
      • 0.068% fail on Spring mounting prescribed areas
    • 0.54% fail on Sub-frames
      • 0.27% fail on Pins and bushes (3 times worse than other pre-1990 cars)
      • 0.20% fail on Sub-frame mounting prescribed areas
      • 0.068% fail on Attachment bracket and mounting
    • 0.41% fail on Shock absorbers
    • 0.27% fail on Wheel bearings (81% better than other pre-1990 cars)
    • 0.068% fail on Axles
      • 0.068% fail on Swivel pins and bushes
    • 0.068% fail on Other suspension component
      • 0.068% fail on Attachment bracket and mounting
  • 5.1% fail on Brakes (43% better than other pre-1990 cars)
    • 3.3% fail on Brake performance (52% better than other pre-1990 cars)
      • 1.8% fail on Service brake performance (39% better than other pre-1990 cars)
        • 1.8% fail on Rbt (38% better than other pre-1990 cars)
          • 1.8% fail on Service brake performance
          • 0.20% fail on Service brake imbalance
      • 0.88% fail on Parking brake efficiency (sp) (68% better than other pre-1990 cars)
        • 0.81% fail on Rbt (sp) (68% better than other pre-1990 cars)
        • 0.068% fail on Plate brake tester (sp)
      • 0.61% fail on Service Brake Efficiency (sp) (79% better than other pre-1990 cars)
        • 0.61% fail on Rbt (sp) (79% better than other pre-1990 cars)
          • 0.41% fail on Service brake imbalance (80% better than other pre-1990 cars)
          • 0.27% fail on Service brake performance (79% better than other pre-1990 cars)
      • 0.27% fail on Parking brake performance (73% better than other pre-1990 cars)
        • 0.20% fail on Rbt (79% better than other pre-1990 cars)
          • 0.20% fail on Parking brake performance
        • 0.068% fail on Plate brake tester
          • 0.068% fail on Parking brake performance
      • 0.20% fail on Brake performance not tested
    • 0.75% fail on Mechanical brake components
      • 0.61% fail on Brake linings and pads
        • 0.61% fail on Brake pads
      • 0.20% fail on Brake discs and drums
        • 0.20% fail on Brake discs
    • 0.75% fail on ABS / EBS / ESC (4 times worse than other pre-1990 cars)
      • 0.75% fail on Anti-lock braking system (4 times worse than other pre-1990 cars)
    • 0.61% fail on Rigid brake pipes
    • 0.34% fail on Flexible brake hoses
    • 0.20% fail on Other components and prescribed areas
      • 0.20% fail on Prescribed areas
        • 0.14% fail on Master cylinder/servo mounting
        • 0.068% fail on Other braking system component
    • 0.14% fail on Hydraulic systems
      • 0.14% fail on Brake fluid
    • 0.068% fail on Air and vacuum systems
      • 0.068% fail on Leaks
    • 0.068% fail on Brake actuators (including spring brakes or hydraulic cylinders)
      • 0.068% fail on Hydraulic brake callipers
  • 4.6% fail on Visibility (27% better than other pre-1990 cars)
    • 3.3% fail on Washers
    • 1.8% fail on Wipers
    • 0.14% fail on Condition of glass
      • 0.14% fail on Windscreen
  • 4.1% fail on Body, chassis, structure (35% better than other pre-1990 cars)
    • 1.7% fail on Exhaust system
    • 1.0% fail on Integral vehicle structure
      • 0.95% fail on Integral vehicle structure condition
      • 0.068% fail on Sub-frame
        • 0.068% fail on Strengthening plate
    • 0.68% fail on Fuel system
      • 0.47% fail on Pipe
      • 0.14% fail on Fuel cap/sealing device
      • 0.068% fail on System
    • 0.54% fail on Chassis
      • 0.54% fail on Chassis condition
    • 0.34% fail on Floor
    • 0.20% fail on Seats
      • 0.20% fail on Driver's seat
    • 0.14% fail on Doors
      • 0.14% fail on Front passenger's door
        • 0.14% fail on Door condition
    • 0.068% fail on Bumpers
    • 0.068% fail on Transmission
      • 0.068% fail on Belts
    • 0.068% fail on Body
      • 0.068% fail on Other body component
    • 0.068% fail on Boot lid
      • 0.068% fail on Boot lid condition
  • 2.7% fail on Noise, emissions and leaks (38% better than other pre-1990 cars)
    • 2.1% fail on Exhaust emissions (47% better than other pre-1990 cars)
      • 2.0% fail on Spark ignition (45% better than other pre-1990 cars)
        • 1.4% fail on Non catalyst emissions (55% better than other pre-1990 cars)
        • 0.41% fail on Catalyst emissions
        • 0.27% fail on Emissions not tested
      • 0.068% fail on Compression ignition
        • 0.068% fail on Emissions not tested
    • 0.61% fail on Fluid leaks
      • 0.27% fail on Engine oil leaks
      • 0.20% fail on Hydraulic fluid leaks (4 times worse than other pre-1990 cars)
      • 0.14% fail on Other leaks
  • 1.6% fail on Steering (55% better than other pre-1990 cars)
    • 1.2% fail on Steering linkage components
      • 1.0% fail on Track rod end
      • 0.14% fail on Drag link end
      • 0.068% fail on Other components
        • 0.068% fail on Steering linkage
    • 0.20% fail on Power steering
      • 0.14% fail on Other components
      • 0.068% fail on Pipes and hoses
    • 0.14% fail on Steering gear (88% better than other pre-1990 cars)
      • 0.14% fail on Steering box
    • 0.14% fail on Prescribed areas
    • 0.068% fail on Steering play
      • 0.068% fail on Steering box
  • 0.75% fail on Tyres
    • 0.41% fail on Condition
    • 0.41% fail on Tread depth
  • 0.68% fail on Seat belts and supplementary restraint systems (58% better than other pre-1990 cars)
    • 0.54% fail on Seat belts (66% better than other pre-1990 cars)
      • 0.34% fail on Prescribed areas (65% better than other pre-1990 cars)
      • 0.14% fail on Attachment
      • 0.068% fail on Condition
    • 0.14% fail on SRS malfunction indicator lamp (24 times worse than other pre-1990 cars)
  • 0.54% fail on Identification of the vehicle
    • 0.54% fail on Registration plates
  • 0.14% fail on Road Wheels
    • 0.14% fail on Attachment