Makes › Mercedes-Benz › SLK-Class

Mercedes-Benz SLK-Class reliability

B · Good

MOT pass rates and common problems from 518,165 MOT tests of cars first registered 1997–2016.

Jump to: YearsEnginesCommon failures
73.3%pass first time
+6.8 ptsvs typical car
Beats 80%of cars
518,165MOT tests

Verdict

The Mercedes-Benz SLK-Class passes its MOT first time on 73.3% of tests, 6.8 points higher than a typical car of the same age and mileage (66.5%). That puts it ahead of 80% of cars on UK roads once age and mileage are taken into account.

By year of first registration, the 2001 SLK-Class does best (beats 89% of cars) and the 2015 worst (beats 73%).

Of its engines, the 3.5 Petrol does best (beats 84%) and the 2.1 Diesel worst (beats 72%).

Better than average on lights & electrics, brakes, visibility.

Watch these weak spots

Coil springs1.6×as often as a typical car
Suspension ball joints1.5×as often as a typical car
Airbag warning light1.6×as often as a typical car

MOT pass rate by age

First-time pass rate at each MOT by the car’s age in years.

50%60%70%80%90%100%3456789101112131415161718192089%86%84%79%75%72%68%68%68%
Mercedes-Benz SLK-ClassTypical car, same age & mileage

Best and worst years

By year of first registration, ranked against all cars on UK roads after adjusting for age and mileage. Green = better than half of cars.

1997
Beats 67%
1998
Beats 72%
1999
Beats 80%
2000
Beats 85%
2001
Beats 89%
2002
Beats 91%
2003
Beats 80%
2004
Beats 76%
2005
Beats 84%
2006
Beats 83%
2007
Beats 77%
2008
Beats 76%
2009
Beats 74%
2010
Beats 71%
2011
Beats 86%
2012
Beats 80%
2013
Beats 75%
2014
Beats 77%
2015
Beats 73%
2016
Beats 76%

Engines

All years, most common first. Grades compare each car with cars of the same age and mileage (A = best 20% of cars on UK roads, E = worst 20%), so an older or higher-mileage car can grade above one with a higher pass rate.

EngineYearsTestsPass rateRankGrade
1.8 Petrol2004–2015131,33375.0%Beats 79%B
2.1 Diesel2012–2016116,58279.8%Beats 72%B
2.0 Petrol2000–201695,22269.4%Beats 77%B
2.3 Petrol1997–200478,70167.7%Beats 81%A
3.5 Petrol2004–201439,95271.2%Beats 84%A
3.0 Petrol2005–201033,42870.7%Beats 83%A
3.2 Petrol2000–200419,79471.7%Beats 93%A
5.4 Petrol2005–20053,15379.9%Beats 99%A

Where it fails

Each area compared with a typical car of the same age and mileage, in points of pass rate. Tap or hover an area to see what to check.

Exhaust: 2.3% of tests fail on emissions & leaks, against 4.2% for a typical car of the same age and mileage. Listen for a blowing exhaust at start-up and look underneath for oil or fluid leaks.Suspension: 10.1% of tests fail on suspension, against 11.2% for a typical car of the same age and mileage. Listen for knocks over speed bumps and push each corner down: it should settle at once.Lights: 8.6% of tests fail on lights & electrics, against 14.3% for a typical car of the same age and mileage. Walk round the car with every light on, including brake, fog and number plate lights.Tyres: 6.3% of tests fail on tyres, against 5.9% for a typical car of the same age and mileage. Check the tread on every tyre, including the inner edge, and look for cuts or bulges.Brakes: 5.9% of tests fail on brakes, against 8.6% for a typical car of the same age and mileage. Brake firmly on the test drive: the car should stop straight with no pulsing or grinding.Lights: 8.6% of tests fail on lights & electrics, against 14.3% for a typical car of the same age and mileage. Walk round the car with every light on, including brake, fog and number plate lights.Lights+5.7 ptsTyres: 6.3% of tests fail on tyres, against 5.9% for a typical car of the same age and mileage. Check the tread on every tyre, including the inner edge, and look for cuts or bulges.Tyres−0.3 ptsBrakes: 5.9% of tests fail on brakes, against 8.6% for a typical car of the same age and mileage. Brake firmly on the test drive: the car should stop straight with no pulsing or grinding.Brakes+2.8 ptsSuspension: 10.1% of tests fail on suspension, against 11.2% for a typical car of the same age and mileage. Listen for knocks over speed bumps and push each corner down: it should settle at once.Suspension+1.1 ptsExhaust: 2.3% of tests fail on emissions & leaks, against 4.2% for a typical car of the same age and mileage. Listen for a blowing exhaust at start-up and look underneath for oil or fluid leaks.Exhaust+1.9 ptsSuspension: 10.1% of tests fail on suspension, against 11.2% for a typical car of the same age and mileage. Listen for knocks over speed bumps and push each corner down: it should settle at once.Brakes: 5.9% of tests fail on brakes, against 8.6% for a typical car of the same age and mileage. Brake firmly on the test drive: the car should stop straight with no pulsing or grinding.Tyres: 6.3% of tests fail on tyres, against 5.9% for a typical car of the same age and mileage. Check the tread on every tyre, including the inner edge, and look for cuts or bulges.Lights: 8.6% of tests fail on lights & electrics, against 14.3% for a typical car of the same age and mileage. Walk round the car with every light on, including brake, fog and number plate lights.Exhaust: 2.3% of tests fail on emissions & leaks, against 4.2% for a typical car of the same age and mileage. Listen for a blowing exhaust at start-up and look underneath for oil or fluid leaks.Lights: 8.6% of tests fail on lights & electrics, against 14.3% for a typical car of the same age and mileage. Walk round the car with every light on, including brake, fog and number plate lights.Lights+5.7 ptsTyres: 6.3% of tests fail on tyres, against 5.9% for a typical car of the same age and mileage. Check the tread on every tyre, including the inner edge, and look for cuts or bulges.Tyres−0.3 ptsBrakes: 5.9% of tests fail on brakes, against 8.6% for a typical car of the same age and mileage. Brake firmly on the test drive: the car should stop straight with no pulsing or grinding.Brakes+2.8 ptsSuspension: 10.1% of tests fail on suspension, against 11.2% for a typical car of the same age and mileage. Listen for knocks over speed bumps and push each corner down: it should settle at once.Suspension+1.1 ptsExhaust: 2.3% of tests fail on emissions & leaks, against 4.2% for a typical car of the same age and mileage. Listen for a blowing exhaust at start-up and look underneath for oil or fluid leaks.Exhaust+1.9 pts
Better than typicalTypicalWorse than typical
Tyres: 6.3% of tests fail on tyres, against 5.9% for a typical car of the same age and mileage. Check the tread on every tyre, including the inner edge, and look for cuts or bulges.

Every MOT area

Share of tests failing on each area, against a typical car of the same age and mileage (black line).

Suspension
10.1% vs 11.2%
Lights & electrics
8.6% vs 14.3%
Tyres
6.3% vs 5.9%
Brakes
5.9% vs 8.6%
Visibility
3.1% vs 5.9%
Emissions & leaks
2.3% vs 4.2%
Body & structure
1.4% vs 5.0%
Seat belts & airbags
1.2% vs 1.6%
Steering
0.9% vs 2.3%
Wheels
0.4% vs 0.3%

Buying one or MOT due? Check these

  • Coil springs 1.6× typical
    Look behind each wheel for a snapped coil (often the bottom one) and listen for clunks over bumps.
  • Suspension ball joints 1.5× typical
    Listen for knocks over speed bumps and feel for wandering or vague steering.
  • Tyre damage & cracking
    Look for cuts, bulges and cracking on both sidewalls of every tyre.
  • Headlight aim
    Park facing a wall at night: both dipped beams should sit level and dip to the left.
  • Tyre tread depth
    Check every tyre, including the inner edge, has at least 3 mm of tread. Uneven wear can point to alignment or suspension problems.
  • Headlight bulbs & units
    Check dipped and main beam on both sides.

Pass rate by mileage

First-time pass rate by mileage at the test.

50%60%70%80%90%100%0k10k20k30k40k50k60k70k80k90k100k110k120k130k140k150k94%87%79%72%66%62%59%57%
Mercedes-Benz SLK-ClassTypical car

Most common MOT failures

ItemThis carTypicalvs typical
Coil springs4.4%2.7%1.6×
Tyre damage & cracking3.9%3.4%1.2×
Headlight aim2.6%3.9%0.7×
Suspension ball joints2.3%1.5%1.5×
Tyre tread depth2.2%2.3%1.0×
Headlight bulbs & units1.7%2.7%0.7×
Brake pipes1.7%1.5%1.2×
Brake lights1.7%3.0%0.6×
Windscreen washers1.5%2.5%0.6×
Sidelights1.4%3.2%0.4×

Specific defects found

Tester wording for the most frequent failure items, per 1,000 tests.

Defectper 1,000
A spring or spring component fractured or seriously weakened43.6
A suspension pin, bush or joint excessively worn32.0
The aim of a headlamp is not within limits laid down in the requirements25.8
Tyre tread depth not in accordance with the requirements22.0
A tyre seriously damaged21.6
A tyre cords visible or damaged17.1
Brake pipe damaged or excessively corroded15.3
Stop lamp missing, inoperative or in the case of a multiple light source more than 1/2 not functioning15.3
Check another car

Pick a make and model to see its MOT pass rate, best and worst years and weak spots.

Every year and engine

Tap a year to see its engines. Grades compare each car with cars of the same age and mileage (A = best 20% of cars on UK roads, E = worst 20%), so an older or higher-mileage car can grade above one with a higher pass rate.

2016 Mercedes-Benz SLK-Class2 engines86.1% passB
EngineTestsPass rateRankGrade
2.1 Diesel6,77784.6%Beats 66%B
2.0 Petrol2,82289.9%Beats 95%A
2015 Mercedes-Benz SLK-Class3 engines84.2% passB
EngineTestsPass rateRankGrade
2.1 Diesel29,88482.7%Beats 66%B
1.8 Petrol6,54187.5%Beats 87%A
2.0 Petrol4,46589.3%Beats 95%A
2014 Mercedes-Benz SLK-Class3 engines82.2% passB
EngineTestsPass rateRankGrade
2.1 Diesel30,03481.0%Beats 74%B
1.8 Petrol10,94184.9%Beats 84%A
3.5 Petrol1,24586.3%Beats 93%A
2013 Mercedes-Benz SLK-Class2 engines78.6% passB
EngineTestsPass rateRankGrade
2.1 Diesel29,28777.3%Beats 72%B
1.8 Petrol9,31882.7%Beats 86%A
2012 Mercedes-Benz SLK-Class3 engines78.0% passB
EngineTestsPass rateRankGrade
1.8 Petrol23,48279.6%Beats 83%A
2.1 Diesel20,60075.7%Beats 76%B
3.5 Petrol1,97582.0%Beats 90%A
2011 Mercedes-Benz SLK-Class3 engines78.8% passA
EngineTestsPass rateRankGrade
1.8 Petrol18,22179.1%Beats 88%A
2.0 Petrol1,85373.7%Beats 65%B
3.5 Petrol1,79781.0%Beats 92%A
2010 Mercedes-Benz SLK-Class4 engines72.5% passB
EngineTestsPass rateRankGrade
2.0 Petrol8,58072.4%Beats 70%B
1.8 Petrol6,15571.1%Beats 66%B
3.0 Petrol1,74376.8%Beats 88%A
3.5 Petrol1,32974.2%Beats 79%B
2009 Mercedes-Benz SLK-Class4 engines71.0% passB
EngineTestsPass rateRankGrade
2.0 Petrol10,86169.8%Beats 68%B
1.8 Petrol6,04470.7%Beats 74%B
3.0 Petrol3,19874.4%Beats 87%A
3.5 Petrol1,72873.0%Beats 81%A
2008 Mercedes-Benz SLK-Class4 engines69.2% passB
EngineTestsPass rateRankGrade
1.8 Petrol10,56567.7%Beats 71%B
2.0 Petrol8,22669.2%Beats 75%B
3.0 Petrol6,55170.1%Beats 77%B
3.5 Petrol2,37273.9%Beats 91%A
2007 Mercedes-Benz SLK-Class4 engines68.8% passB
EngineTestsPass rateRankGrade
1.8 Petrol12,38967.5%Beats 73%B
3.0 Petrol8,37370.2%Beats 81%A
2.0 Petrol7,10969.2%Beats 77%B
3.5 Petrol3,05169.2%Beats 79%B
2006 Mercedes-Benz SLK-Class4 engines69.3% passA
EngineTestsPass rateRankGrade
1.8 Petrol11,74568.3%Beats 80%A
3.0 Petrol9,26970.2%Beats 86%A
2.0 Petrol6,69969.1%Beats 82%A
3.5 Petrol4,59770.2%Beats 85%A
2005 Mercedes-Benz SLK-Class5 engines68.6% passA
EngineTestsPass rateRankGrade
3.5 Petrol13,31469.5%Beats 86%A
2.0 Petrol12,17766.6%Beats 79%B
1.8 Petrol11,05866.3%Beats 79%B
3.0 Petrol4,29468.8%Beats 84%A
5.4 Petrol3,15379.9%Beats 99%A
2004 Mercedes-Benz SLK-Class5 engines65.2% passB
EngineTestsPass rateRankGrade
2.0 Petrol10,03563.2%Beats 70%B
3.5 Petrol8,54466.9%Beats 79%B
1.8 Petrol4,87464.5%Beats 75%B
2.3 Petrol4,21865.8%Beats 78%B
3.2 Petrol1,24171.2%Beats 92%A
2003 Mercedes-Benz SLK-Class3 engines66.1% passA
EngineTestsPass rateRankGrade
2.3 Petrol8,21666.6%Beats 82%A
2.0 Petrol6,41863.9%Beats 73%B
3.2 Petrol2,66470.2%Beats 90%A
2002 Mercedes-Benz SLK-Class3 engines69.8% passA
EngineTestsPass rateRankGrade
2.3 Petrol9,29769.7%Beats 91%A
2.0 Petrol5,65366.8%Beats 84%A
3.2 Petrol4,42873.9%Beats 96%A
2001 Mercedes-Benz SLK-Class3 engines69.1% passA
EngineTestsPass rateRankGrade
2.3 Petrol10,08168.8%Beats 88%A
2.0 Petrol6,65866.5%Beats 82%A
3.2 Petrol5,78872.7%Beats 95%A
2000 Mercedes-Benz SLK-Class3 engines68.3% passA
EngineTestsPass rateRankGrade
2.3 Petrol10,69768.1%Beats 84%A
3.2 Petrol5,67370.0%Beats 88%A
2.0 Petrol3,66666.3%Beats 81%A
1999 Mercedes-Benz SLK-Class1 engine68.0% passB
EngineTestsPass rateRankGrade
2.3 Petrol16,01668.0%Beats 80%B
1998 Mercedes-Benz SLK-Class1 engine66.8% passB
EngineTestsPass rateRankGrade
2.3 Petrol12,12266.8%Beats 72%B
1997 Mercedes-Benz SLK-Class1 engine66.4% passB
EngineTestsPass rateRankGrade
2.3 Petrol8,05466.4%Beats 67%B

FAQ

What is the Mercedes-Benz SLK-Class MOT pass rate?

73.3% of MOT tests on the Mercedes-Benz SLK-Class were passed first time, based on 518,165 tests between 2018 and 2026 of cars first registered 1997–2016. A typical car of the same age and mileage passes 66.5% of the time.

Is the Mercedes-Benz SLK-Class reliable?

On MOT results it rates B (good): it passes first time more often than a typical car of the same age and mileage and does better than 80% of cars on UK roads. MOT results cover safety and emissions items, not every kind of breakdown.

Which Mercedes-Benz SLK-Class year is best?

Among years with enough data, the 2001 SLK-Class does best for its age and mileage: it beats 89% of cars on UK roads. The 2015 does worst: it beats 73%.

Which Mercedes-Benz SLK-Class engine is best?

Across all years, the 3.5 Petrol does best: it beats 84% of cars on UK roads. The 2.1 Diesel does worst: it beats 72%.

What are the most common MOT failures on the Mercedes-Benz SLK-Class?

The most common failure items are coil springs, tyre damage & cracking, headlight aim. Compared with similar cars, coil springs comes up 1.6× as often.

How we calculate this. We use official MOT results for cars tested in Great Britain from 2018 to 2026. Each car is compared with typical cars of the same age and mileage, so old and new cars are judged fairly; “pts” are percentage points above or below them. Differences also reflect how cars are used and maintained, not only how they are built.