How much does a 2012 MERCEDES SLK cost to run?

Estimated annual running cost is £2,045 (£170/month), including £1245 fuel, £395 road tax, £55 MOT, and £350 predicted repairs.

What is the MOT pass rate for a 2012 MERCEDES SLK?

The 2012 MERCEDES SLK has a 84% MOT pass rate based on 13,361 tests in 2026. This ranks 277 out of 685 cars from 2012.

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 (2012)

Q: Is the 2012 MERCEDES SLK reliable?

Good reliability. Occasional issues but generally solid. 84% of MERCEDES SLKs from 2012 passed their MOT first time in 2026, based on 13,361 tests. That's 2 points above the national average of 82%.

Q: What is the average mileage for a 2012 MERCEDES SLK?

The average mileage for a 2012 MERCEDES SLK is 64,940 miles, which is below the expected 103,600 miles for a 14-year-old car. This suggests lighter use than average, which generally means less wear on major components.

Running costs, reliability data, and common problems from 13,361 real MOT tests.

Annual Cost

£2,045

£170/month

MOT Pass Rate

84%

Good

Road Tax

£395

Based on CC/year

Insurance

Grp 25-38

2500cc Diesel

Solid Option

84% pass rate, £2045/year to run. Close to the national average.

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Diesel2500cc14 years old13,361 tests65k miles avg

Annual Running Costs

Fuel (Diesel, 2500cc)

~40 mpg

£1,245

Road Tax

Based on 2500cc

£395

MOT Test

£55

Predicted Repairs

£350

Total per year£2,045

Per month£170/mo

Per week£39/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

84% 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%.

At 14 years old, 84% of MERCEDES SLKs from 2012 passed their MOT first time in 2026. That's based on 13,361 tests across the UK. The average mileage at this age is 64,940 miles.

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How Does It Compare?

Rank among 2012 cars277th of 685(top 40%)

Rank among MERCEDES models932th of 1,408(top 66%)

vs national average+2%(82% avg)

vs 2012 cars average+6%(78% avg)

vs MERCEDES average-3%(87% avg)

Mileage Analysis

64,940

Average miles

103,600

Expected for age

The average 2012 MERCEDES SLK has 64,940 miles on the clock, which is below the expected 103,600 miles for a 14-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 2012 sits between the two at 84%.

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

BMW 3 SERIES

2012 · 2000cc Diesel

£1,577/year

82%

-2%

FORD TRANSIT

2014 · 2198cc Diesel

£2,050/year

77%

-7%

MERCEDES E

2014 · 2143cc Diesel

£1,900/year

84%

same

LAND ROVER RANGE ROVER EVOQUE

2014 · 2200cc Diesel

£1,900/year

88%

+4%

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About the 2012 MERCEDES SLK

The 2012 MERCEDES SLK is a large car with a 2500cc diesel engine. 13,361 of these vehicles were MOT tested in 2026, making it one of the most commonly tested cars on UK roads. Among all cars from 2012, the average MOT pass rate is 78%, and this model beats that benchmark.

With an average of 64,940 miles at 14 years old, MERCEDES SLK owners tend to use this car less than the typical driver.

2012 MERCEDES SLK Fuel Costs

The 2500cc diesel engine is on the larger side, so fuel won't be this car's strong point. Expect around 40 mpg in mixed driving, which works out to roughly £1,245 per year at current diesel prices of 148p per litre (based on 7,400 miles per year). Diesel cars of this age should have their DPF (diesel particulate filter) checked, as replacements can be costly.

What does it cost to own a 2012 MERCEDES SLK?

Total estimated annual running cost is £2,045 (£170/month), broken down as £1245 fuel, £395 road tax, £55 MOT, and £350 predicted repairs. Repair costs are moderate, reflecting the 84% 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 2012 MERCEDES SLK

At 14 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 13,361 MOT tests in our data, there's strong statistical confidence in these figures.

Common Issues to Watch For

Based on the 2012 MERCEDES SLK's fuel type, age, and engine size, these are the most likely problem areas to check.

DPF (Diesel Particulate Filter)

Watch out

Short journeys clog the DPF. Replacement costs £1,000-£2,500. Check the DPF warning light and ask about driving patterns.

Turbo Wear

Watch out

Diesel turbos work harder and wear faster. Listen for whining noises and check for oil leaks around the turbo housing.

EGR Valve

Watch out

Exhaust Gas Recirculation valves clog with carbon deposits, causing rough running and poor economy. Cleaning costs £150-£300, replacement £300-£600.

Dual Mass Flywheel

Watch out

Larger diesel engines put extra strain on the dual mass flywheel. Listen for rattling at idle. Replacement with clutch is £800-£1,500.

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 2012 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(2012)	84%	£1245	£395	Grp 25-38	£2045
BMW 3 SERIES(2012)	82%	£1037	£135	Grp 18-32	£1577-£468
FORD TRANSIT(2014)	77%	£1245	£250	Grp 25-38	£2050+£5
MERCEDES E(2014)	84%	£1245	£250	Grp 25-38	£1900-£145
LAND ROVER RANGE ROVER EVOQUE(2014)	88%	£1245	£250	Grp 25-38	£1900-£145

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.