How much does a 1998 MERCEDES SLK cost to run?

Estimated annual running cost is £2,577 (£215/month), including £1592 fuel, £430 road tax, £55 MOT, and £500 predicted repairs.

What is the MOT pass rate for a 1998 MERCEDES SLK?

The 1998 MERCEDES SLK has a 79% MOT pass rate based on 3,523 tests in 2026. This ranks 103 out of 340 cars from 1998.

Which year MERCEDES SLK is most reliable?

The 2016 MERCEDES SLK has the highest MOT pass rate at 89%. The least reliable year is 1996 at 76%.

MERCEDES SLK (1998)

Q: Is the 1998 MERCEDES SLK reliable?

Average reliability. Expect some repairs as it ages. 79% of MERCEDES SLKs from 1998 passed their MOT first time in 2026, based on 3,523 tests. That's 3 points below the national average of 82%.

Q: What is the average mileage for a 1998 MERCEDES SLK?

The average mileage for a 1998 MERCEDES SLK is 89,671 miles, which is significantly below the expected 207,200 miles for a 28-year-old car. Low-mileage examples may have spent time sitting unused, so check for issues like corroded brakes or perished rubber seals.

Running costs, reliability data, and common problems from 3,523 real MOT tests.

Annual Cost

£2,577

£215/month

MOT Pass Rate

79%

Average

Road Tax

£430

Based on CC/year

Insurance

Grp 25-38

2298cc Petrol

Check Carefully

79% pass rate, £2577/year to run. Close to the national average.

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Petrol2298cc28 years old3,523 tests90k miles avg

Annual Running Costs

Fuel (Petrol, 2298cc)

~30 mpg

£1,592

Road Tax

Based on 2298cc

£430

MOT Test

£55

Predicted Repairs

£500

Total per year£2,577

Per month£215/mo

Per week£50/wk

Based on 7,400 miles/year (UK average), current fuel prices, and repair likelihood from MOT data. Insurance not included.

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Reliability Verdict

79% MOT pass rate(Average)

0%National avg: 82%100%

Average reliability. Expect some repairs as it ages. That's close to the national average of 82%. It falls below the MERCEDES brand average of 87%.

At 28 years old, 79% of MERCEDES SLKs from 1998 passed their MOT first time in 2026. That's based on 3,523 tests across the UK. The average mileage at this age is 89,671 miles.

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How Does It Compare?

Rank among 1998 cars103th of 340(top 30%)

Rank among MERCEDES models1110th of 1,408(top 79%)

vs national average-3%(82% avg)

vs 1998 cars average+4%(75% avg)

vs MERCEDES average-8%(87% avg)

Mileage Analysis

89,671

Average miles

207,200

Expected for age

The average 1998 MERCEDES SLK has 89,671 miles on the clock, which is significantly below the expected 207,200 miles for a 28-year-old car. Low-mileage examples may have spent time sitting unused, so check for issues like corroded brakes or perished rubber seals.

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Best Year to Buy?

The most reliable year is the 2016 model with a 89% MOT pass rate, while the 1996 model has the lowest at 76%. The 1998 sits between the two at 79%.

MERCEDES SLK by Year

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

Similar Cars to Consider

VOLKSWAGEN TRANSPORTER

1996 · 2490cc Petrol

£2,597/year

67%

-12%

BMW 3 SERIES

1999 · 2494cc Petrol

£2,397/year

78%

-1%

MAZDA MX-5

1997 · 1800cc Petrol

£2,017/year

76%

-3%

BMW Z3

1997 · 1900cc Petrol

£2,017/year

75%

-4%

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About the 1998 MERCEDES SLK

The 1998 MERCEDES SLK is a large car with a 2298cc petrol engine. 3,523 of these vehicles were MOT tested in 2026, making it a reasonably common sight on UK roads. Among all cars from 1998, the average MOT pass rate is 75%, and this model beats that benchmark.

With an average of 89,671 miles at 28 years old, MERCEDES SLK owners tend to use this car less than the typical driver. Very low mileage could mean the car has been garaged or used only for short trips, which can cause its own issues like battery drain and moisture buildup.

1998 MERCEDES SLK Fuel Costs

The 2298cc petrol engine offers a reasonable balance between performance and economy. Expect around 30 mpg in mixed driving, which works out to roughly £1,592 per year at current petrol prices of 142p per litre (based on 7,400 miles per year).

What does it cost to own a 1998 MERCEDES SLK?

Total estimated annual running cost is £2,577 (£215/month), broken down as £1592 fuel, £430 road tax, £55 MOT, and £500 predicted repairs. Repair costs are moderate, reflecting the 79% pass rate. Keeping on top of servicing will help avoid surprises.

MERCEDES SLK Reliability Trend

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

Buying a Used 1998 MERCEDES SLK

At 28 years old, the MERCEDES SLK is firmly in budget territory. Purchase prices are low, but check for rust, worn suspension bushes, and electrical gremlins. A full service history is especially valuable at this age. If you're flexible on year, the 2016 model has the highest pass rate at 89%.

Common Issues to Watch For

Based on the 1998 MERCEDES SLK's fuel type, age, and engine size, these are the most likely problem areas to check.

Timing Chain / Belt

Watch out

At 28 years old, check whether the timing belt has been replaced (typically due every 5-7 years or 60,000-100,000 miles). A snapped belt can destroy the engine.

Oil Consumption

Medium risk

Larger petrol engines can develop higher oil consumption as they age. Check the oil level and look for blue smoke from the exhaust.

Rust and Corrosion

Watch out

At 10+ years, check wheel arches, sills, subframe, and brake lines for rust. Structural corrosion is an MOT failure. Prevention is far cheaper than repair.

Suspension Bushings

Watch out

Rubber suspension bushes harden and crack with age, causing knocking noises and vague handling. A full refresh costs £300-£800 depending on the car.

Clutch Wear

Medium risk

With an average of 90k miles, clutch replacement may be due (typical lifespan 60,000-100,000 miles). Budget £400-£800 for a new clutch kit.

Brake Discs and Pads

Medium risk

High-mileage cars often need brake disc replacement, not just pads. A full set of discs and pads costs £200-£500 per axle.

Service History

Low risk

Always request a full service history. Regular servicing is the single best indicator of how well a car has been maintained, regardless of mileage.

Running Costs Compared

How the 1998 MERCEDES SLK stacks up against similar cars for annual running costs, insurance, and tax.

Car	Pass Rate	Fuel/yr	Tax/yr	Insurance	Total/yr
MERCEDES SLK(1998)	79%	£1592	£430	Grp 25-38	£2577
VOLKSWAGEN TRANSPORTER(1996)	67%	£1592	£250	Grp 25-38	£2597+£20
BMW 3 SERIES(1999)	78%	£1592	£250	Grp 25-38	£2397-£180
MAZDA MX-5(1997)	76%	£1327	£135	Grp 18-32	£2017-£560
BMW Z3(1997)	75%	£1327	£135	Grp 18-32	£2017-£560

Estimates based on 7,400 miles/year, current fuel prices, and MOT data. Insurance groups are indicative. Actual costs vary by driver, location, and usage.