Mercedes SL

Reliability, estimated running costs, and MOT data across 30 model years from 50,180 MOT tests in 2024.

Avg Pass Rate

89%

Total Tests

50,180

Highest Pass Rate

2019 (97%)

Years Covered

About the Mercedes SL

The Mercedes SL was MOT tested 50,180 times in 2024 (DVSA data, retests included) across 30 model years (1990 to 2019), with an average pass rate of 89%. That's comfortably above the average of 82% across all models in our data. Our records list petrol versions.

Best and Worst Years

Of the years with at least 100 tests, the 2019 model has the highest pass rate at 97% from 851 tests. The 1990 model has the lowest at 81%. With a 16 point gap, the year you choose makes a real difference. Newer cars usually pass more often simply because they are younger.

Reliability Trend

Newer Mercedes SLs pass their MOT more often than older ones, by 4 percentage points on average, which is mostly down to age and wear.

Mileage Across Years

The oldest model in our data (1990) averages 88,429 miles, while the newest (2019) averages 19,987 miles.

Estimated Running Costs

Fuel (Petrol, 4663cc)

£1,958

Road Tax

£200

MOT Test

£55

Predicted Repairs

£200

Total per year£2,413

Per month£201/mo

Based on 7,400 miles/year, average pump prices of 174.57p petrol and 199.33p diesel (GOV.UK weekly road fuel prices, week of 19 October 2026), and MOT pass rate data. Insurance not included.

Full 2019 details

How reliable is the Mercedes SL?

vs average of all models+7% (82% avg)

vs Mercedes brand average+2% (87% avg)

Best to worst year spread16 percentage points

Reliability trendImproving over years

Mercedes SL by Year

Click any year to see detailed running costs, reliability data, and comparisons with similar cars.

Year	Pass Rate	Tests	Avg Mileage
2019	97%	851	19,987 mi
2018	93%	1,022	25,750 mi
2017	94%	1,847	30,630 mi
2016	95%	2,240	36,109 mi
2015	92%	2,222	40,591 mi
2014	92%	2,892	47,357 mi
2013	89%	2,796	49,450 mi
2012	90%	1,136	50,476 mi
2011	92%	579	50,602 mi
2010	88%	955	62,402 mi
2009	87%	1,222	63,020 mi
2008	90%	1,940	65,610 mi
2007	88%	1,792	71,215 mi
2006	87%	1,832	73,640 mi
2005	88%	2,430	75,394 mi
2004	88%	4,036	77,676 mi
2003	86%	5,173	75,808 mi
2002	88%	2,083	74,421 mi
2001	90%	528	78,534 mi
2000	86%	955	84,195 mi
1999	87%	1,617	84,924 mi
1998	86%	2,018	89,595 mi
1997	87%	2,117	93,418 mi
1996	88%	1,778	93,971 mi
1995	85%	1,627	99,248 mi
1994	88%	1,244	93,271 mi
1993	88%	462	85,167 mi
1992	87%	312	90,571 mi
1991	86%	288	78,703 mi
1990	81%	186	88,429 mi

Questions about the Mercedes SL

Is the Mercedes SL reliable?

Across its 30 model years in our data (1990 to 2019), the Mercedes SL averages an 89% MOT pass rate, from 50,180 tests (DVSA MOT data for tests in 2024, retests included). That's 7 points above the average of 82% across all models in the same data. The 2019 model has the highest pass rate of the years with at least 100 tests, at 97%.

Which year Mercedes SL has the best MOT pass rate?

Of the years with at least 100 tests, the 2019 Mercedes SL has the highest MOT pass rate at 97%, while the 1990 model has the lowest at 81%, a 16 point gap. Newer cars usually pass more often simply because they are younger, so compare years of a similar age.