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Mercedes-Benz SL R230 (2001-2012) reliability

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Mercedes-Benz SL R230 built around 2012: not enough MOT data yet

We've only seen a handful of Mercedes-Benz SL R230 models built around 2012 so far. Too few to spot a pattern yet.

Looking at a Mercedes-Benz SL R230?

Enter its number plate to see its full MOT history, risk rating and running costs.

Key figure

Check a car’s number plate to see its own MOT record, or come back when there’s more MOT history.

2001-2012ConvertiblePETROL

Based on 11,507 tests of SL models registered 2001-2012.

R230 fail rate by age

Below typicalAbove typicalHigh (28% or more)Highest fail rateUK average for cars this age
Age / builtFail rateMOT tests
12 yearsbuilt around 2013
26211.5%
13 yearsbuilt around 2012
31416.6%
14 yearsbuilt around 2011
37116.2%
15 yearsbuilt around 2010
46816.7%
16 yearsbuilt around 2009
57814.7%
17 yearsbuilt around 2008
93415.3%
18 yearsbuilt around 2007
85215.4%
19 yearsbuilt around 2006
1,19115.4%
20 yearsbuilt around 2005
1,35614.7%
21 yearsbuilt around 2004
2,44516.0%
22 yearsbuilt around 2003
2,03416.6%
23 yearsbuilt around 2002
50717.2%
24 yearsbuilt around 2001
19514.9%

Fail rate is the share of MOT tests that ended in a fail. Retests count as tests. How we count fail rates Build years are worked out from age, so they are approximate. Tests counted are 2025 MOTs. Highest fail rate at 23 years old.

How the SL R230 compares

At each age below, see how the SL R230 holds up against other cars the same age. The averages combine all fuel types.

Based on 73,176 tests across 16 Mercedes-Benz models, built around 2012 (13 years old).

Below typicalAbove typicalHigh (28% or more)Highest fail rateMercedes-Benz average
Age / builtFail rateMOT tests
12 yearsbuilt around 2013
26211.5%
13 yearsbuilt around 2012
31416.6%
14 yearsbuilt around 2011
37116.2%
15 yearsbuilt around 2010
46816.7%
16 yearsbuilt around 2009
57814.7%
17 yearsbuilt around 2008
93415.3%
18 yearsbuilt around 2007
85215.4%
19 yearsbuilt around 2006
1,19115.4%
20 yearsbuilt around 2005
1,35614.7%
21 yearsbuilt around 2004
2,44516.0%
22 yearsbuilt around 2003
2,03416.6%
23 yearsbuilt around 2002
50717.2%
24 yearsbuilt around 2001
19514.9%

Fail rate is the share of MOT tests that ended in a fail. Retests count as tests. How we count fail rates Build years are worked out from age, so they are approximate. Tests counted are 2025 MOTs.

What to check before viewing

The model's most common MOT issues, turned into things you can ask about or look for.

Brake pipes and hoses

High priority

Look under the car for corrosion or chafing on the rigid brake pipes near the rear axle.

Brake discs

High priority

Ask for the date and mileage of the last disc replacement; visually check for a deep wear lip and rust pitting on each disc.

Tyres

Worth checking

Check tread depth across the full width on all four; uneven wear suggests alignment or suspension issues.

Suspension bushes and joints

Worth checking

Listen for knocks over speed bumps and ask about recent control-arm or anti-roll-bar work.

Vehicle-specific check

Worth checking

Check the car’s number plate on MOT Wise to see its own MOT history and any recalls for its build years.

Other convertibles to compare

Other convertibles, with each one's figures taken at the same age as the SL R230.

  1. 1

    Mazda MX-5

    Same body type, tested at the same age

    Fail rate
    18.6%
    Fail, no pass in 3 days
    4.4%
    Dangerous
    3.5%
    Still registered at 10 years
    97.6%

    Fewer fails still not passed 3 days later: 4.4%, against 8.0% for the Mercedes-Benz SL R230.

    2 critical recall campaigns matching this model/build period.

    3,744 MOT tests on cars built around 2012

  2. 2

    BMW Z4

    Same body type, tested at the same age

    Fail rate
    16.1%
    Fail, no pass in 3 days
    4.8%
    Dangerous
    7.3%
    Still registered at 10 years
    96%

    Fewer fails still not passed 3 days later: 4.8%, against 8.0% for the Mercedes-Benz SL R230.

    2,380 MOT tests on cars built around 2012

Fail rate
= the share of MOT tests that ended in a fail. Retests count as tests.
Fail, no pass in 3 days
= the share of MOT tests that failed and still hadn't passed 3 days later. A fail that passed a retest within 3 days, even the same day, isn't counted.
Dangerous
= the share of MOT tests where the tester marked a fault as dangerous. It is against the law to drive the car until it is fixed.
Still registered at 10 years
= the share of cars still registered (taxed or declared off the road) 10 years after they were first registered.

How many are still registered

91%of all Mercedes-Benz SL cars first registered in 2014 to 2015 were still registered 10 years later. This is the whole model, not only this generation.

UK average for cars first registered in 2014 to 2015: 92% · About typical

The share still registered can reflect demand, the cost of repairs, exports, write-offs and how owners use the car. It isn't proof of how long the car lasts mechanically.

Source: DfT vehicle licensing statistics (VEH0124).

Recall context

31 recalls in all

2 of the 31 SL R230 recalls cover cars built in these years.

  • 2 recalls

Top concerns

  • Possibility of reduced braking efficiency
  • The refrigerant in the air condition system does not meet legal requirements

For the exact car, check GOV.UK's recall checker with the number plate.

How SL R230 cars have aged

How SL R230 cars have aged

How fail rates have changed as these cars got older. Each line follows cars first registered in about the same year across several years of MOT data. Not a prediction for any one car.

0%10%20%911131517192123Age at MOTBuilt around 2012, 9 years old at the time of MOT: 16.2% (247 tests, 2021 data)Built around 2012, 10 years old at the time of MOT: 13.7% (205 tests, 2022 data)Built around 2012, 11 years old at the time of MOT: 19.1% (215 tests, 2023 data)Built around 2012, 12 years old at the time of MOT: 16.1% (205 tests, 2024 data)Built around 2012, 13 years old at the time of MOT: 18.8% (197 tests, 2025 data)2012Built around 2011, 10 years old at the time of MOT: 12.2% (172 tests, 2021 data)Built around 2011, 11 years old at the time of MOT: 13.6% (169 tests, 2022 data)Built around 2011, 12 years old at the time of MOT: 13.5% (170 tests, 2023 data)Built around 2011, 13 years old at the time of MOT: 14.9% (168 tests, 2024 data)Built around 2011, 14 years old at the time of MOT: 13.7% (168 tests, 2025 data)2011Built around 2010, 11 years old at the time of MOT: 15.3% (255 tests, 2021 data)Built around 2010, 12 years old at the time of MOT: 14.1% (234 tests, 2022 data)Built around 2010, 13 years old at the time of MOT: 18.1% (238 tests, 2023 data)Built around 2010, 14 years old at the time of MOT: 15.7% (217 tests, 2024 data)Built around 2010, 15 years old at the time of MOT: 15.9% (214 tests, 2025 data)2010Built around 2009, 12 years old at the time of MOT: 14.7% (347 tests, 2021 data)Built around 2009, 13 years old at the time of MOT: 15.4% (332 tests, 2022 data)Built around 2009, 14 years old at the time of MOT: 14.1% (311 tests, 2023 data)Built around 2009, 15 years old at the time of MOT: 16.3% (295 tests, 2024 data)Built around 2009, 16 years old at the time of MOT: 15.5% (283 tests, 2025 data)2009Built around 2008, 13 years old at the time of MOT: 15.1% (642 tests, 2021 data)Built around 2008, 14 years old at the time of MOT: 13.8% (589 tests, 2022 data)Built around 2008, 15 years old at the time of MOT: 14.6% (577 tests, 2023 data)Built around 2008, 16 years old at the time of MOT: 15.1% (571 tests, 2024 data)Built around 2008, 17 years old at the time of MOT: 14.1% (555 tests, 2025 data)2008Built around 2007, 14 years old at the time of MOT: 16.2% (592 tests, 2021 data)Built around 2007, 15 years old at the time of MOT: 14.7% (570 tests, 2022 data)Built around 2007, 16 years old at the time of MOT: 14.6% (563 tests, 2023 data)Built around 2007, 17 years old at the time of MOT: 16.7% (544 tests, 2024 data)Built around 2007, 18 years old at the time of MOT: 15.4% (521 tests, 2025 data)2007Built around 2006, 15 years old at the time of MOT: 17.0% (635 tests, 2021 data)Built around 2006, 16 years old at the time of MOT: 16.9% (608 tests, 2022 data)Built around 2006, 17 years old at the time of MOT: 16.3% (614 tests, 2023 data)Built around 2006, 18 years old at the time of MOT: 16.9% (574 tests, 2024 data)Built around 2006, 19 years old at the time of MOT: 15.4% (559 tests, 2025 data)2006Built around 2005, 16 years old at the time of MOT: 14.5% (778 tests, 2021 data)Built around 2005, 17 years old at the time of MOT: 16.2% (743 tests, 2022 data)Built around 2005, 18 years old at the time of MOT: 14.1% (680 tests, 2023 data)Built around 2005, 19 years old at the time of MOT: 16.3% (651 tests, 2024 data)Built around 2005, 20 years old at the time of MOT: 15.9% (610 tests, 2025 data)2005Built around 2004, 17 years old at the time of MOT: 17.7% (1,595 tests, 2021 data)Built around 2004, 18 years old at the time of MOT: 16.8% (1,488 tests, 2022 data)Built around 2004, 19 years old at the time of MOT: 15.9% (1,405 tests, 2023 data)Built around 2004, 20 years old at the time of MOT: 14.8% (1,300 tests, 2024 data)Built around 2004, 21 years old at the time of MOT: 15.8% (1,238 tests, 2025 data)2004Built around 2003, 18 years old at the time of MOT: 16.6% (1,715 tests, 2021 data)Built around 2003, 19 years old at the time of MOT: 16.9% (1,625 tests, 2022 data)Built around 2003, 20 years old at the time of MOT: 16.2% (1,523 tests, 2023 data)Built around 2003, 21 years old at the time of MOT: 17.4% (1,464 tests, 2024 data)Built around 2003, 22 years old at the time of MOT: 16.4% (1,365 tests, 2025 data)2003Built around 2002, 19 years old at the time of MOT: 16.8% (519 tests, 2021 data)Built around 2002, 20 years old at the time of MOT: 16.2% (474 tests, 2022 data)Built around 2002, 21 years old at the time of MOT: 18.4% (434 tests, 2023 data)Built around 2002, 22 years old at the time of MOT: 16.6% (403 tests, 2024 data)Built around 2002, 23 years old at the time of MOT: 17.9% (379 tests, 2025 data)2002Built around 2001, 20 years old at the time of MOT: 13.7% (212 tests, 2021 data)Built around 2001, 21 years old at the time of MOT: 15.2% (204 tests, 2022 data)Built around 2001, 22 years old at the time of MOT: 17.2% (215 tests, 2023 data)Built around 2001, 23 years old at the time of MOT: 13.8% (189 tests, 2024 data)Built around 2001, 24 years old at the time of MOT: 14.9% (195 tests, 2025 data)2001
First registered around 2012First registered around 2011First registered around 2010First registered around 2009
R230 variants compared
All generations of this modelNot enough data

Most common issues on Mercedes-Benz SL models of this age

This list covers every Mercedes-Benz SL built around 2012, whichever generation it is. We don't have a defect list for the R230 on its own.

Most common advisories and fails

In order of the share of MOT tests that recorded each one

  1. 1
    Advisory

    Tyre worn close to the legal limit or worn on the edge

    12.1%
    Advisory: 66Fail: 2 (3% of the times it was found)
  2. 2
    Advisory

    Tyre slightly damaged, cracking or perishing

    9.6%
    Advisory: 30Fail: 11 (27% of the times it was found)
  3. 3
    Advisory

    Brake pipe corroded or covered in grease

    6.7%
    Advisory: 32Fail: 1 (3% of the times it was found)
  4. 4
    Advisory

    Suspension arm pin or bush worn, but not moving too much

    6.4%
    Advisory: 19Fail: 7 (27% of the times it was found)
  5. 5
    Advisory

    Tyre has a cut that does not reach the ply or cords

    4.8%
    Advisory: 16Fail: 7 (30% of the times it was found)

Based on 314 tests

Looking at a Mercedes-Benz SL R230?

Enter its number plate to see its full MOT history, risk rating and running costs.

Frequently asked questions

Built around 2012 (13 years old), the Mercedes-Benz SL R230 (2001-2012) fails MOTs noticeably less often than typical for this age. This is based on 314 13-year-old MOT tests from DVSA data. Each retest counts as a test.

*The build year is worked out from the date a car was first used on UK roads. For most cars this matches when it was registered, but imports may differ by a few months.

Data sourced from DVSA MOT History API. From 11,507 MOT tests on Mercedes-Benz SL models first registered between 2001-2012. These figures are a guide, not a guarantee.