MERCEDES SLK (2013)
Running costs, reliability data, and common problems from 11,106 real MOT tests.
Annual Cost
£2,757
£230/month
MOT Pass Rate
85%
Good
Road Tax
£760
Based on CC/year
Insurance
Grp 35-50
5461cc Petrol
Solid Option
85% pass rate, £2757/year to run. Close to the national average.
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Annual Running Costs
~30 mpg
Based on 5461cc
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
Good reliability. Occasional issues but generally solid. That's close to the national average of 82%.
At 13 years old, 85% of MERCEDES SLKs from 2013 passed their MOT first time in 2026. That's based on 11,106 tests across the UK. The average mileage at this age is 62,322 miles.
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How Does It Compare?
Mileage Analysis
62,322
Average miles
96,200
Expected for age
The average 2013 MERCEDES SLK has 62,322 miles on the clock, which is below the expected 96,200 miles for a 13-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 2013 sits between the two at 85%.
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
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About the 2013 MERCEDES SLK
The 2013 MERCEDES SLK is a performance with a 5461cc petrol engine. 11,106 of these vehicles were MOT tested in 2026, making it one of the most commonly tested cars on UK roads. Among all cars from 2013, the average MOT pass rate is 80%, and this model beats that benchmark.
With an average of 62,322 miles at 13 years old, MERCEDES SLK owners tend to use this car less than the typical driver.
2013 MERCEDES SLK Fuel Costs
The 5461cc petrol engine is on the larger side, so fuel won't be this car's strong point. 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 2013 MERCEDES SLK?
Total estimated annual running cost is £2,757 (£230/month), broken down as £1592 fuel, £760 road tax, £55 MOT, and £350 predicted repairs. Repair costs are moderate, reflecting the 85% 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 2013 MERCEDES SLK
At 13 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 11,106 MOT tests in our data, there's strong statistical confidence in these figures.
Common Issues to Watch For
Based on the 2013 MERCEDES SLK's fuel type, age, and engine size, these are the most likely problem areas to check.
Timing Chain / Belt
Watch outAt 13 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 riskLarger 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 outAt 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 outRubber 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 riskAlways 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 2013 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(2013) | 85% | £1592 | £760 | Grp 35-50 | £2757 |
| LAND ROVER RANGE ROVER SPORT(2011) | 85% | £1592 | £250 | Grp 35-50 | £2247-£510 |
| JAGUAR F-TYPE(2014) | 94% | £1592 | £250 | Grp 35-50 | £2097-£660 |
| JAGUAR XK(2014) | 93% | £1592 | £250 | Grp 35-50 | £2097-£660 |
| MERCEDES S-CLASS(2011) | 87% | £1592 | £250 | Grp 35-50 | £2247-£510 |
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.
MERCEDES A
2019 · 1461cc Diesel
MERCEDES C
2017 · 1991cc Hybrid
MERCEDES A-CLASS
2017 · 1461cc Diesel
LAND ROVER RANGE ROVER SPORT
2011 · 4999cc Petrol
JAGUAR F-TYPE
2014 · 5000cc Petrol
JAGUAR XK
2014 · 5000cc Petrol
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