Is the Mercedes Sl reliable?

The Mercedes Sl has an average MOT pass rate of 89% across 30 years, based on 50,180 tests in 2026. That's 7 points above the national average of 82%. The most reliable year is 2019 with a 97% pass rate.

Which year Mercedes Sl is best?

The 2019 Mercedes Sl has the highest MOT pass rate at 97%, while the 1990 model has the lowest at 81%. There's a 16 percentage point spread between the best and worst years.

Mercedes Sl

Reliability, running costs, and MOT data across 30 years from 50,180 real MOT tests.

Avg Pass Rate

89%

Total Tests

50,180

Best Year

2019 (97%)

Years Covered

About the Mercedes Sl

The Mercedes Sl has been tested 50,180 times in 2026 MOT data across 30 model years (1990 to 2019), with an average pass rate of 89%. That's comfortably above the national average of 82%, making it a reliable choice. Available as petrol.

Best and Worst Years

The 2019 model is the most reliable with a 97% pass rate from 851 tests. The 1990 model has the lowest at 81%. With a 16 point spread, choosing the right year makes a big difference to reliability.

Reliability Trend

Newer MERCEDES SLs show better MOT pass rates than older ones, with an average improvement of 4 percentage points.

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)

£1,592

Road Tax

£195

MOT Test

£55

Predicted Repairs

£200

Total per year£2,042

Per month£170/mo

Based on 7,400 miles/year, current fuel prices, and MOT pass rate data. Insurance not included.

Full 2019 details

How reliable is the Mercedes Sl?

vs national average+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