Mercedes SLK

Reliability, estimated running costs, and MOT data across 21 model years from 128,923 MOT tests in 2024.

Avg Pass Rate

81%

Total Tests

128,923

Highest Pass Rate

2016 (89%)

Years Covered

About the Mercedes SLK

The Mercedes SLK was MOT tested 128,923 times in 2024 (DVSA data, retests included) across 21 model years (1996 to 2016), with an average pass rate of 81%. That's close to the average of 82% across all models in our data. Our records list diesel and petrol versions.

Best and Worst Years

Of the years with at least 100 tests, the 2016 model has the highest pass rate at 89% from 2,572 tests. The 1996 model has the lowest at 76%. The 13 point gap means pass rates vary somewhat between years, but no year is dramatically different. Newer cars usually pass more often simply because they are younger.

Reliability Trend

Newer Mercedes SLKs 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 (1996) averages 98,709 miles, while the newest (2016) averages 42,977 miles.

Compared to the Mercedes brand average of 87%, the SLK is 6 points lower, placing it among the less reliable Mercedes models.

Estimated Running Costs

Fuel (Petrol, 5461cc)

£1,958

Road Tax

£790

MOT Test

£55

Predicted Repairs

£350

Total per year£3,153

Per month£263/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 2016 details

How reliable is the Mercedes SLK?

vs average of all models-1% (82% avg)

vs Mercedes brand average-6% (87% avg)

Best to worst year spread13 percentage points

Reliability trendImproving over years

Mercedes SLK by Year

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

Year	Pass Rate	Tests	Avg Mileage
2016	89%	2,572	42,977 mi
2015	87%	11,055	48,710 mi
2014	87%	11,284	55,581 mi
2013	85%	11,106	62,322 mi
2012	84%	13,361	64,940 mi
2011	85%	5,660	61,469 mi
2010	80%	4,472	66,541 mi
2009	81%	5,347	71,532 mi
2008	80%	6,876	75,187 mi
2007	79%	7,700	77,695 mi
2006	79%	7,884	80,213 mi
2005	78%	10,305	82,791 mi
2004	78%	6,598	84,132 mi
2003	78%	3,327	85,438 mi
2002	81%	3,692	87,295 mi
2001	82%	4,005	90,848 mi
2000	79%	3,545	90,918 mi
1999	79%	4,295	87,626 mi
1998	79%	3,523	89,671 mi
1997	81%	2,190	90,802 mi
1996	76%	126	98,709 mi

Questions about the Mercedes SLK

Is the Mercedes SLK reliable?

Across its 21 model years in our data (1996 to 2016), the Mercedes SLK averages an 81% MOT pass rate, from 128,923 tests (DVSA MOT data for tests in 2024, retests included). That's 1 point below the average of 82% across all models in the same data. The 2016 model has the highest pass rate of the years with at least 100 tests, at 89%.

Which year Mercedes SLK has the best MOT pass rate?

Of the years with at least 100 tests, the 2016 Mercedes SLK has the highest MOT pass rate at 89%, while the 1996 model has the lowest at 76%, a 13 point gap. Newer cars usually pass more often simply because they are younger, so compare years of a similar age.