1999 Mercedes-Benz SL · 2,540 MOT tests
1999 Mercedes-Benz SL reliability
1999 Mercedes-Benz SLs fail 17.3% of first MOT tests, 51% fewer MOT fails than the average car its age and mileage, ranking 9 of 23 SL years (2,540 DVSA tests, 2022 to 2024).
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- first-time fail rate (all Mercedes-Benz SLs: 15.3%)
- 17.3%
- first-time fail rate (all Mercedes-Benz SLs: 15.3%)
- fails than cars of the same age and mileage
- 51% fewer
- fails than cars of the same age and mileage
- typical miles at its MOT, aged about 24
- 81,700
- typical miles at its MOT, aged about 24
- MOT tests, 2022 to 2024
- 2,540
- MOT tests, 2022 to 2024
Year on year
1999 against the years either side
- 1998 cars: 45% fewer MOT fails than the average car its age (the 1999 car does better)
- 2000 cars: 50% fewer MOT fails than the average car its age (the 1999 car does better)
- Strong point: body, chassis and structure, 86% fewer fails than comparable cars.
Common problems
What fails on a 1999 Mercedes-Benz SL
Fail rate by area
- Lights and electrics7%
- Suspension6.1%
- Brakes3.7%
- Windscreen, wipers and mirrors3.2%
- Exhaust, emissions and leaks2.1%
- Tyres2%
- Steering1.2%
Average for cars of the same age and mileage
Top failures
Ball joint dust cover no longer sealed 1.89%
A damaged dust cover lets dirt into the joint, speeding wear, so the joint may need replacing later.
Stop lamp not working 0.91%
A failed stop lamp means drivers behind cannot see when you brake, a safety risk that must be fixed.
Wiper blade not clearing windscreen 0.87%
Wipers that do not clear the windscreen reduce visibility in rain, which is a safety risk, so replace them.
Position lamp not working 0.83%
A failed position lamp makes the car harder to see in poor light and is illegal, so it must be repaired.
Rigid brake pipe excessively corroded 0.75%
Badly corroded brake pipes can leak or fail, which can cause a loss of braking, so repair is urgent.
Headlamp aim set too low 0.67%
Headlamps aimed too low light the road poorly and reduce the driver's view ahead, especially at night.
Common advisories
Brake pipes corroded and greasy (9.06%) · Engine oil leak, not excessive (5.75%) · Tyre slightly damaged or cracking (5.04%) · Tyre worn close to legal limit (4.02%) · Sub-frame showing corrosion (3.31%) · Wheel bearing slight play (2.99%)
Other years
Every Mercedes-Benz SL year
The full picture: Mercedes-Benz SL reliability. Before you pay for any Mercedes-Benz SL, a Full Check (£9.99) shows finance, stolen and write-off records the MOT can't.
Source: DVSA anonymised MOT results, 2022 to 2024, class 4 normal tests.
Is a 1999 Mercedes-Benz SL reliable?
1999 Mercedes-Benz SLs fail 17.3% of first MOT tests, 51% fewer MOT fails than the average car its age and mileage, ranking 9 of 23 SL years (2,540 DVSA tests, 2022 to 2024).
What fails on a 1999 Mercedes-Benz SL MOT?
Most often ball joint dust cover no longer sealed (1.89% of tests), stop lamp not working (0.91% of tests), wiper blade not clearing windscreen (0.87% of tests).
How many miles should a 1999 Mercedes-Benz SL have done?
At its MOT aged about 24, a typical 1999 Mercedes-Benz SL shows 81,700 miles. Much higher or lower is worth asking about.
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