Mercedes-Benz Slk-Class common problems by mileage
What UK MOT testers flag on the Mercedes-Benz Slk-Class at each age and mileage, compared with all cars.
In 59,288 UK MOT tests of the Mercedes-Benz Slk-Class in 2023, the problem that most sets it apart from other cars is wheel bearings (slight play): recorded on 3.3% of tests of 2015–2017 cars at 40k–60k mi (64k–97k km), 33× the rate for all cars of that age and mileage. Other stand-out issues: sub-frame (corroded and seriously weakened) (22×); transmission oil leaks (leak, but not excessive) (7.3×); rigid brake pipes (excessively corroded) (5.4×). The most common reasons a Mercedes-Benz Slk-Class fails its MOT are coil spring (fractured or broken); ball joint (ball joint excessively worn); tyres (tread depth below requirements of 1.6mm).
Last updated: · Source: DVSA anonymised MOT data 2023
What stands out on the Mercedes-Benz Slk-Class
Parts that MOT testers flag clearly more often on the Mercedes-Benz Slk-Class than on all cars of the same age at the same mileage (at least 1.5× the rate and 3% of tests).
| Issue | Type | First used | Mileage | Share of tests | All cars this age | Ratio | Tests |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Wheel bearings: has slight play | Advisory | 2015–2017 | 40k–60k mi (64k–97k km) | 3.3% | 0.1% | 33× | 2,039 |
| Sub-frame: corroded and seriously weakened | MOT fail | 2004–2006 | 100k–120k mi (161k–193k km) | 6.6% | 0.3% | 22× | 1,753 |
| Transmission oil leaks: leak, but not excessive | Advisory | 2000–2002 | 20k–40k mi (32k–64k km) | 6.6% | 0.9% | 7.3× | 380 |
| Rigid brake pipes: excessively corroded | MOT fail | 2010–2012 | 100k–120k mi (161k–193k km) | 4.9% | 0.9% | 5.4× | 449 |
| Rigid brake pipes: corroded, covered in grease or other material | Advisory | 2010–2012 | 80k–100k mi (129k–161k km) | 17% | 4.5% | 3.7× | 1,248 |
| Sub-frame: corroded but not seriously weakened | Advisory | 1996–1998 | 80k–100k mi (129k–161k km) | 11% | 2.6% | 4.3× | 449 |
| Ball joint: ball joint excessively worn | MOT fail | 2007–2009 | 40k–60k mi (64k–97k km) | 3.6% | 1.1% | 3.3× | 2,359 |
| Exhaust system: mounting defective | Advisory | 2005–2007 | 80k–100k mi (129k–161k km) | 5.9% | 1.9% | 3.1× | 2,706 |
Mercedes-Benz Slk-Class by mileage (2012–2014 cars)
The most-tested first-use years. For each mileage band: how many MOT tests, the most common item, and the item that stands out most against other cars.
| Mileage | Tests | Most common | Stands out |
|---|---|---|---|
| 0k–20k mi (0k–32k km) | 571 | Tyres (condition): slightly damaged/cracking or perishing (11%) | — |
| 20k–40k mi (32k–64k km) | 3,400 | Tyres (tread depth): worn close to legal limit/worn on edge (12%) | — |
| 40k–60k mi (64k–97k km) | 5,336 | Tyres (tread depth): worn close to legal limit/worn on edge (17%) | Wheel bearings: has slight play (3.7%, 19×) |
| 60k–80k mi (97k–129k km) | 3,521 | Tyres (tread depth): worn close to legal limit/worn on edge (19%) | Rigid brake pipes: corroded, covered in grease or other material (6.6%, 2.2×) |
| 80k–100k mi (129k–161k km) | 1,597 | Tyres (tread depth): worn close to legal limit/worn on edge (20%) | Wheel bearings: has slight play (4.4%, 11×) |
| 100k–120k mi (161k–193k km) | 485 | Tyres (tread depth): worn close to legal limit/worn on edge (23%) | Wheel bearings: has slight play (6.4%, 11×) |
Mercedes-Benz Slk-Class by first-use year
| First used | Tests | Biggest stand-out issue |
|---|---|---|
| 1997 | 794 | Transmission oil leaks: leak, but not excessive at 60k–80k mi (97k–129k km) (5.1×) |
| 1998 | 1,163 | Transmission oil leaks: leak, but not excessive at 40k–60k mi (64k–97k km) (5.1×) |
| 1999 | 1,611 | Transmission oil leaks: leak, but not excessive at 20k–40k mi (32k–64k km) (7.3×) |
| 2000 | 2,042 | Transmission oil leaks: leak, but not excessive at 20k–40k mi (32k–64k km) (6.7×) |
| 2001 | 2,376 | Transmission oil leaks: leak, but not excessive at 20k–40k mi (32k–64k km) (7.3×) |
| 2002 | 2,075 | Wheel bearings: has slight play at 120k–140k mi (193k–225k km) (6.2×) |
| 2003 | 1,893 | Wheel bearings: has slight play at 100k–120k mi (161k–193k km) (5.6×) |
| 2004 | 3,223 | Wheel bearings: has slight play at 40k–60k mi (64k–97k km) (5.5×) |
| 2005 | 4,996 | Sub-frame: corroded and seriously weakened at 100k–120k mi (161k–193k km) (22×) |
| 2006 | 3,826 | Sub-frame: corroded and seriously weakened at 100k–120k mi (161k–193k km) (22×) |
| 2007 | 3,558 | Wheel bearings: has slight play at 20k–40k mi (32k–64k km) (7.5×) |
| 2008 | 3,263 | Wheel bearings: has slight play at 100k–120k mi (161k–193k km) (7.4×) |
| 2009 | 2,513 | Rigid brake pipes: corroded, covered in grease or other material at 100k–120k mi (161k–193k km) (3.2×) |
| 2010 | 2,096 | Wheel bearings: has slight play at 40k–60k mi (64k–97k km) (10×) |
| 2011 | 2,551 | Wheel bearings: has slight play at 40k–60k mi (64k–97k km) (16×) |
| 2012 | 5,580 | Wheel bearings: has slight play at 40k–60k mi (64k–97k km) (19×) |
| 2013 | 4,641 | Wheel bearings: has slight play at 40k–60k mi (64k–97k km) (19×) |
| 2014 | 4,916 | Wheel bearings: has slight play at 40k–60k mi (64k–97k km) (18×) |
| 2015 | 4,856 | Wheel bearings: has slight play at 40k–60k mi (64k–97k km) (17×) |
| 2016 | 1,265 | Wheel bearings: has slight play at 40k–60k mi (64k–97k km) (33×) |
How these numbers are made
From the DVSA anonymised MOT data for 2023: every normal MOT test of a car in Great Britain, with its mileage and every advisory and failure item. For each first-use year (pooled with the years either side) and 20,000-mile band we count the share of tests where a part was recorded, and compare it with the same share for every car of that age at that mileage. A cell is shown only with 300 or more tests. Advisories are tester notes, not failures. Figures describe UK-market cars; engines and equipment can differ in other countries.
Contains public sector information licensed under the Open Government Licence v3.0 (DVSA anonymised MOT data, 2023).
Frequently asked questions
What are the most common problems with the Mercedes-Benz Slk-Class?
In 59,288 UK MOT tests of the Mercedes-Benz Slk-Class in 2023, the problem that most sets it apart from other cars is wheel bearings (slight play): recorded on 3.3% of tests of 2015–2017 cars at 40k–60k mi (64k–97k km), 33× the rate for all cars of that age and mileage. Other stand-out issues: sub-frame (corroded and seriously weakened) (22×); transmission oil leaks (leak, but not excessive) (7.3×); rigid brake pipes (excessively corroded) (5.4×). The most common reasons a Mercedes-Benz Slk-Class fails its MOT are coil spring (fractured or broken); ball joint (ball joint excessively worn); tyres (tread depth below requirements of 1.6mm).
Why do Mercedes-Benz Slk-Classs fail the MOT?
Across 59,288 MOT tests in 2023, the most common failure items on the Mercedes-Benz Slk-Class were coil spring (fractured or broken) (5.9% of tests); ball joint (ball joint excessively worn) (5.6% of tests); tyres (tread depth below requirements of 1.6mm) (4.5% of tests).
At what mileage do Mercedes-Benz Slk-Class problems start?
The clearest Mercedes-Benz Slk-Class-specific issue, wheel bearings (slight play), peaks against other cars at 40k–60k mi (64k–97k km) on 2015–2017 cars (3.3% of tests vs 0.1% for all cars that age).
Where does this Mercedes-Benz Slk-Class data come from?
From the UK government's anonymised MOT test data (DVSA, 2023, Open Government Licence v3.0): 59,288 tests of the Mercedes-Benz Slk-Class. VinSnap shows the same numbers for your own car's age and mileage in the app.