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MERCEDES SLK (2009)

Running costs, reliability data, and common problems from 5,347 real MOT tests.

Annual Cost

£2,427

£202/month

MOT Pass Rate

81%

Good

Road Tax

£430

Based on CC/year

Insurance

Grp 25-38

2295cc Petrol

Solid Option

81% pass rate, £2427/year to run. Close to the national average.

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Petrol2295cc17 years old5,347 tests72k miles avg

Annual Running Costs

Fuel (Petrol, 2295cc)

~30 mpg

£1,592
Road Tax

Based on 2295cc

£430
MOT Test
£55
Predicted Repairs
£350
Total per year£2,427
Per month£202/mo
Per week£47/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

81% MOT pass rate(Good)
0%National avg: 82%100%

Good reliability. Occasional issues but generally solid. That's close to the national average of 82%. It falls below the MERCEDES brand average of 87%.

At 17 years old, 81% of MERCEDES SLKs from 2009 passed their MOT first time in 2026. That's based on 5,347 tests across the UK. The average mileage at this age is 71,532 miles.

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How Does It Compare?

Rank among 2009 cars186th of 575(top 32%)
Rank among MERCEDES models1034th of 1,408(top 73%)
vs national average-1%(82% avg)
vs 2009 cars average+6%(75% avg)
vs MERCEDES average-6%(87% avg)

Mileage Analysis

71,532

Average miles

vs

125,800

Expected for age

The average 2009 MERCEDES SLK has 71,532 miles on the clock, which is below the expected 125,800 miles for a 17-year-old car. This suggests lighter use than average, which generally means less wear on major components.

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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 2009 sits between the two at 81%.

MERCEDES SLK by Year

YearPass RateTestsAvg Mileage
201689%2,57242,977 mi
201587%11,05548,710 mi
201487%11,28455,581 mi
201385%11,10662,322 mi
201284%13,36164,940 mi
201185%5,66061,469 mi
201080%4,47266,541 mi
200981%5,34771,532 mi
200880%6,87675,187 mi
200779%7,70077,695 mi
200679%7,88480,213 mi
200578%10,30582,791 mi
200478%6,59884,132 mi
200378%3,32785,438 mi
200281%3,69287,295 mi
200182%4,00590,848 mi
200079%3,54590,918 mi
199979%4,29587,626 mi
199879%3,52389,671 mi
199781%2,19090,802 mi
199676%12698,709 mi

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About the 2009 MERCEDES SLK

The 2009 MERCEDES SLK is a large car with a 2295cc petrol engine. 5,347 of these vehicles were MOT tested in 2026, making it a reasonably common sight on UK roads. Among all cars from 2009, the average MOT pass rate is 75%, and this model beats that benchmark.

With an average of 71,532 miles at 17 years old, MERCEDES SLK owners tend to use this car less than the typical driver.

2009 MERCEDES SLK Fuel Costs

The 2295cc 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 2009 MERCEDES SLK?

Total estimated annual running cost is £2,427 202/month), broken down as £1592 fuel, £430 road tax, £55 MOT, and £350 predicted repairs. Repair costs are moderate, reflecting the 81% 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 2009 MERCEDES SLK

At 17 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%. With 5,347 MOT tests in our data, there's strong statistical confidence in these figures.

Common Issues to Watch For

Based on the 2009 MERCEDES SLK's fuel type, age, and engine size, these are the most likely problem areas to check.

Timing Chain / Belt

Watch out

At 17 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.

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 2009 MERCEDES SLK stacks up against similar cars for annual running costs, insurance, and tax.

CarPass RateFuel/yrTax/yrInsuranceTotal/yr
MERCEDES SLK(2009)81%£1592£430Grp 25-38£2427
NISSAN QASHQAI(2011)69%£1327£135Grp 18-32£2217-£210
BMW 3 SERIES(2007)80%£1327£135Grp 18-32£1867-£560
AUDI A3(2010)77%£1327£135Grp 18-32£2017-£410
RENAULT CLIO(2010)69%£1327£135Grp 18-32£2217-£210

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.

Related Mercedes Models

Explore other Mercedes cars or similar models in the same category.

Related Guides

In-depth articles relevant to the Mercedes Slk.

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