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Mercedes-Benz SLK reliability by build year

Coverage 1996-20204 named generationsConvertiblePETROL / DIESEL
At a glance

Mercedes-Benz SLK built around 2013: more dangerous faults than average

Testers find a dangerous fault on Mercedes-Benz SLK models built around 2013 more often than on similar cars the same age. Look closely at the tyres on any car you view.

Check a Mercedes-Benz SLK by number plate

Key figure

6% of MOT tests on Mercedes-Benz SLK models built around 2013 found a fault the tester marked as dangerous, against 4% for similar cars the same age.

Most common issue

The most common MOT issue on Mercedes-Benz SLK models built around 2013 involves the tyres.

Before you view it

What to check before viewing

The Mercedes-Benz SLK's most common MOT issues, turned into things to ask about or look for.

Independent inspection

High priority

Have an independent specialist inspect the car before you commit.

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.

By build year

How build years differ

Use the build-year guide below to separate newer build years from older ones.

Find your SLK's generation

Each card below is a different generation. Select your year and we'll highlight the match.

SLK R172 (3rd gen)

R172 (3rd gen) (2011-2020)

Excellent
PETROLDIESEL

10.5% fail rate, built around 2017 (8 years old)

Likely between 7.3% and 14.8%

Fails less often than the average car this age (about 1 in 5 MOTs, 18.7%)

From 258 MOT tests at this ageView details →
SLK R171 (2nd gen)

R171 (2nd gen) (2004-2010)

Excellent
PETROL

25.3% fail rate, built around 2006 (19 years old)

Fails less often than the average car this age (about 3 in 10 MOTs, 31.4%)

From 4,831 MOT tests at this ageView details →
SLK R170 (1st gen)

R170 (1st gen) (1996-2003)

Too close to call between ratings
PETROL

23.9% fail rate, built before 2000 (over 25 years old)

Fails less often than the average car this age (about 1 in 4 MOTs, 25.2%)

From 4,207 MOT tests at this ageView details →

Not sure which one you're looking at?

Match your build year to its generation, then see the fail rates for those build years of the Mercedes-Benz SLK.

See every build year for the Mercedes-Benz SLK

Side-by-side

Mercedes-Benz SLK generations compared

Each generation is shown at 7 years old if it has at least 100 MOT tests at that age. If not, or if its cars are too new to be 7, it's shown at another age. We try ages close to 7 first. Newer generations have fewer years of data.

GenerationRatingFail rate
R172 (3rd gen) (2011-2020)
Excellent
Excellent10.5%likely between 7.3% and 14.8%built around 2017 (8 years old)from 258 MOT tests at this age
R171 (2nd gen) (2004-2010)
Excellent
Excellent25.3%built around 2006 (19 years old)from 4,831 MOT tests at this age
R170 (1st gen) (1996-2003)
No ratingToo close to call between ratings
No ratingToo close to call between ratings23.9%built before 2000 (over 25 years old)from 4,207 MOT tests at this age

Each row is one generation of the SLK, shown at the age printed under its fail rate. So rows can be different ages. Fail rate is the share of MOT tests that ended in a fail, retests included. A rating is given only when there are enough tests to place the fail rate in one rating band with 95% confidence.

By age

Mercedes-Benz SLK fail rate by age

This chart combines every Mercedes-Benz SLK ever sold. It's good for the big picture. For one generation, scroll up to the build-year cards.

Below typicalAbove typicalHigh (28% or more)Highest fail rate
Age / builtFail rateMOT tests
8 yearsbuilt around 2017
26010.8%
9 yearsbuilt around 2016
3,43916.5%
10 yearsbuilt around 2015
5,86117.6%
11 yearsbuilt around 2014
5,87820.2%
12 yearsbuilt around 2013
6,76520.9%
13 yearsbuilt around 2012
5,30320.5%
14 yearsbuilt around 2011
2,44921.7%
15 yearsbuilt around 2010
2,89224.2%
16 yearsbuilt around 2009
3,34924.8%
17 yearsbuilt around 2008
4,29125.1%
18 yearsbuilt around 2007
4,26625.5%
19 yearsbuilt around 2006
4,83125.3%
20 yearsbuilt around 2005
5,30426.4%
21 yearsbuilt around 2004
2,21525.7%
22 yearsbuilt around 2003
2,03723.8%
23 yearsbuilt around 2002
2,07723.6%
24 yearsbuilt around 2001
2,36724.2%
25+ yearsbuilt 2000 or earlier
4,20723.9%

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 20 years old.

All generations of this model

What goes wrong most often on 12-year-old Mercedes-Benz SLK models

These issues come from 12-year-old Mercedes-Benz SLK models, every generation combined.

All generations of this modelPlenty of data

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

    19.3%
    Advisory: 1,867Fail: 179 (9% of the times it was found)
  2. 2
    Advisory

    Brake pipe corroded or covered in grease

    11.7%
    Advisory: 1,165Fail: 134 (10% of the times it was found)
  3. 3
    Advisory

    Tyre slightly damaged, cracking or perishing

    11.1%
    Advisory: 810Fail: 267 (25% of the times it was found)
  4. 4
    Advisory

    Brake disc worn, pitted or scored, but not seriously weakened

    11.0%
    Advisory: 1,073Fail: 7 (1% of the times it was found)
  5. 5
    Advisory

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

    9.3%
    Advisory: 694Fail: 232 (25% of the times it was found)

Based on 6,765 MOT tests on 12-year-old Mercedes-Benz SLK models, every generation combined.

All generations of this model

Issues that often appear together

The pairs seen most often when an MOT on 12-year-old Mercedes-Benz SLK models notes problems with more than one part of the car.

Issues that often appear together on this model

All generations of this modelPlenty of data
  1. Brakes + Tyres36%
  2. Brakes + Suspension33%
  3. Suspension + Tyres31%
  4. Brakes + Other15%

Both were noted at the same test. That doesn't mean one caused the other.

Across 2,264 MOT tests on Mercedes-Benz SLK cars built around 2013 (12 years old) where more than one part of the car was noted.

Still registered

How many are still registered, and recalls

How many of these are still registered in the UK, and what's been recalled across the model.

How many are still registered

93%of this model's cars first registered in 2014 to 2015 were still registered 10 years later

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

26 recalls in all

15 of the 26 Mercedes-Benz SLK recalls cover cars built in these years.

  • 2 Critical
  • 13 more

Top concerns

  • Brakes may overheat creating a risk of smoke and/or fire
  • Risk of fire
  • The behaviour of the emergency call system might not meet specifications

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

Like-for-like

Other convertibles to compare

Other convertibles to compare

  1. 1

    Porsche Boxster

    Same body type, tested at the same age

    Fail rate
    7.8%
    Fail, no pass in 3 days
    3.2%
    Dangerous
    1.8%
    Still registered at 10 years
    97.9%

    Lower fail rate: 7.8%, against 20.9% for the Mercedes-Benz SLK, both built around 2013.

    1,457 MOT tests on cars built around 2013

  2. 2

    Mazda MX-5

    Same body type, tested at the same age

    Fail rate
    17%
    Fail, no pass in 3 days
    4%
    Dangerous
    3.4%
    Still registered at 10 years
    97.6%

    Lower fail rate: 17.0%, against 20.9% for the Mercedes-Benz SLK, both built around 2013.

    3,647 MOT tests on cars built around 2013

  3. 3

    BMW Z4

    Same body type, tested at the same age

    Fail rate
    16.6%
    Fail, no pass in 3 days
    5.5%
    Dangerous
    6.9%
    Still registered at 10 years
    96%

    Lower fail rate: 16.6%, against 20.9% for the Mercedes-Benz SLK, both built around 2013.

    2,041 MOT tests on cars built around 2013

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.

Common questions

Frequently asked questions

Built around 2013 (12 years old), the Mercedes-Benz SLK across all generations combined fails MOTs noticeably less often than typical for this age. This is based on 6,765 12-year-old MOT tests from DVSA data. Each retest counts as a test.

These figures come from DVSA's MOT records. Across every Mercedes-Benz SLK ever sold: 67,791 tests. The main figures are for cars built around 2013 (12 years old): 6,765 tests. They are a guide, not a guarantee. Always inspect the car or have a mechanic check it.