Mercedes SLK (2016)

Estimated running costs and MOT pass rates from 2,572 MOT tests in 2024.

Annual Cost

£3,153

£263/month

MOT Pass Rate

89%

Good

Road Tax

£790

Estimated/year

Est. Insurance

Grp 35-50

5461cc Petrol

Solid Option

89% pass rate, £3,153/year to run. 7 points above average.

Buying this car? Check for finance, write-offs & theft

£4.99

Check a specific Mercedes SLK

Enter a reg plate for full MOT history, mileage check, health score, running costs, and reliability data. Free, instant, no signup.

Petrol5461cc10 years old2,572 tests43k miles avg

Annual Running Costs

Fuel (Petrol, 5461cc)

~30 mpg

£1,958

Road Tax

Estimated CO2 band

£790

MOT Test

£55

Predicted Repairs

£350

Total per year£3,153

Per month£263/mo

Per week£61/wk

Estimates based on 7,400 miles/year (UK average), petrol at 174.57p a litre (GOV.UK weekly average, week of 19 October 2026), GOV.UK road tax rates and repair likelihood from MOT data. Insurance not included.

Reliability Verdict

89% MOT pass rate(Good)

0%All-model avg: 82%100%

Good reliability. Occasional issues but generally solid. That's 7 points above the average of 82% across all models in our data.

89% of MOT tests on Mercedes SLKs from 2016 ended in a pass in 2024, when they were about 8 years old. That's based on 2,572 tests across the UK, retests included. The average mileage recorded at those tests was 42,977 miles.

Got a Mercedes SLK you're looking at?

Enter the reg plate to check its specific MOT history, mileage, and health score.

How Does It Compare?

Rank among 2016 models223rd of 539(top half)

Rank among Mercedes models682nd of 1,376(top half)

vs average of all models+7%(82% avg)

vs 2016 models average+4%(85% avg)

vs Mercedes average+2%(87% avg)

Mileage Analysis

42,977

Average miles

59,200

Expected for age

The average 2016 Mercedes SLK had 42,977 miles on the clock at its 2024 MOT, which is below the expected 59,200 miles for a 8-year-old car. This suggests lighter use than average, which generally means less wear on major components.

Looking at a specific Mercedes SLK?

Enter its reg plate for a free check with full MOT history, mileage verification, and predicted costs.

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

Land Rover Range Rover

2017 · 4999cc Petrol

£2,413/year

91%

+2%

Mercedes S-Class

2017 · 5461cc Petrol

£2,413/year

93%

+4%

Jaguar F-Type

2014 · 5000cc Petrol

£3,003/year

94%

+5%

Jaguar XK

2014 · 5000cc Petrol

£3,003/year

93%

+4%

Check a Specific Mercedes SLK

Enter a reg plate to get the full MOT history, health score, and mileage verification.

Upgrade to Premium (£4.99) for stolen, finance, and write-off checks.

About the 2016 Mercedes SLK

The 2016 Mercedes SLK is a premium performance car. Our records list a 5461cc petrol engine, though engines vary between versions. 2,572 MOT tests were recorded on this model in 2024, making it a reasonably common sight on UK roads. Among all models from 2016, the average MOT pass rate is 85%, and this model beats that benchmark.

With an average of 42,977 miles recorded at its 2024 MOT tests, Mercedes SLK owners tend to use this car less than the typical driver.

2016 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 £1,958 per year with petrol at 174.57p per litre (GOV.UK weekly average, week of 19 October 2026; based on 7,400 miles per year).

What does it cost to own a 2016 Mercedes SLK?

Total estimated annual running cost is £3,153 (£263/month), broken down as £1,958 fuel, £790 road tax, £55 MOT, and £350 predicted repairs. Repair costs are moderate, reflecting the 89% pass rate. Keeping on top of servicing will help avoid surprises.

Mercedes SLK 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.

Buying a Used 2016 Mercedes SLK

At 10 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.

Common Issues to Watch For

These are typical issues for cars of this age, fuel type and engine size, not faults recorded on this model's MOT tests. Use them as a checklist when you view one.

Timing Chain / Belt

Watch out

At 10 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 2016 Mercedes SLK stacks up against similar cars for estimated annual running costs, insurance group, and tax.

Car	Pass Rate	Fuel/yr	Tax/yr	Est. Ins. Group	Total/yr
Mercedes SLK(2016)	89%	£1,958	£790	Grp 35-50	£3,153
Land Rover Range Rover(2017)	91%	£1,958	£200	Grp 35-50	£2,413-£740
Mercedes S-Class(2017)	93%	£1,958	£200	Grp 35-50	£2,413-£740
Jaguar F-Type(2014)	94%	£1,958	£790	Grp 35-50	£3,003-£150
Jaguar XK(2014)	93%	£1,958	£790	Grp 35-50	£3,003-£150

Estimates based on 7,400 miles/year, GOV.UK average pump prices for the week of 19 October 2026, GOV.UK road tax rates and MOT data. Insurance groups are our rough estimate from engine size, not official groups. Actual costs vary by driver, location, and usage.

Questions about the 2016 Mercedes SLK

Is the 2016 Mercedes SLK reliable?

Good reliability. Occasional issues but generally solid. 89% of MOT tests on 2016 Mercedes SLKs ended in a pass, from 2,572 tests (DVSA MOT data for tests in 2024, retests included). That's 7 points above the average of 82% across all models in the same data.

How much does a 2016 Mercedes SLK cost to run?

Our estimate is £3,153 a year (£263 a month): £1,958 fuel, £790 road tax, £55 MOT and £350 predicted repairs, based on 7,400 miles a year. Insurance is not included.

What is the MOT pass rate for a 2016 Mercedes SLK?

89% of 2,572 MOT tests on the 2016 Mercedes SLK ended in a pass (DVSA MOT data for tests in 2024, retests included). That ranks it 223rd of 539 models first registered in 2016 (top half).

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% and the 1996 the lowest at 76%. Newer cars usually pass more often simply because they are younger and have done fewer miles.

What is the average mileage for a 2016 Mercedes SLK?

The average mileage recorded at MOT tests on the 2016 Mercedes SLK is 42,977 miles, which is below the expected 59,200 miles for a 8-year-old car. This suggests lighter use than average, which generally means less wear on major components.