2005 Mercedes-Benz SL · 4,482 MOT tests
2005 Mercedes-Benz SL reliability
2005 Mercedes-Benz SLs fail 18% of first MOT tests, 54% fewer MOT fails than the average car its age and mileage, ranking 6 of 23 SL years (4,482 DVSA tests, 2022 to 2024).
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- first-time fail rate (all Mercedes-Benz SLs: 15.3%)
- 18%
- first-time fail rate (all Mercedes-Benz SLs: 15.3%)
- fails than cars of the same age and mileage
- 54% fewer
- fails than cars of the same age and mileage
- typical miles at its MOT, aged about 18
- 71,131
- typical miles at its MOT, aged about 18
- MOT tests, 2022 to 2024
- 4,482
- MOT tests, 2022 to 2024
Year on year
2005 against the years either side
- 2004 cars: 57% fewer MOT fails than the average car its age (the 2005 car does worse)
- 2006 cars: 55% fewer MOT fails than the average car its age (the 2005 car does worse)
- Strong point: exhaust, emissions and leaks, 79% fewer fails than comparable cars.
- Plates: a 2005 car carries a 54 plate (January–February 2005), or a 05 plate (March–August 2005), or a 55 plate (September–December 2005).
Common problems
What fails on a 2005 Mercedes-Benz SL
Fail rate by area
- Suspension6.9%
- Lights and electrics4.8%
- Tyres4%
- Brakes3.5%
- Windscreen, wipers and mirrors2.1%
- Exhaust, emissions and leaks1.2%
- Seat belts and airbags0.6%
Average for cars of the same age and mileage
Top failures
Coil spring fractured or broken 2.79%
A broken coil spring can leave the car sitting low or unstable, so it must be replaced before driving.
Suspension ball joint excessively worn 1.29%
A worn ball joint can fail and cause loss of steering control, so it must be replaced promptly.
Wiper blade not clearing windscreen 0.94%
Wipers that do not clear the windscreen reduce visibility in rain, which is a safety risk, so replace them.
Tyre ply or cords exposed 0.94%
Exposed ply or cords can let the tyre fail suddenly, so the tyre must be replaced before the car is driven.
Rigid brake pipe excessively corroded 0.85%
Badly corroded brake pipes can leak or fail, which can cause a loss of braking, so repair is urgent.
Tyre tread below 1.6mm 0.83%
Tread below 1.6mm is illegal and reduces grip in wet conditions, so the tyre must be replaced.
Common advisories
Tyre worn close to legal limit (7.76%) · Brake pipes corroded and greasy (7.59%) · Brake disc pitted or scored (5.13%) · Tyre slightly damaged or cracking (5.11%) · Engine oil leak, not excessive (3.44%) · Brake pads wearing thin (3.32%)
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 2005 Mercedes-Benz SL reliable?
2005 Mercedes-Benz SLs fail 18% of first MOT tests, 54% fewer MOT fails than the average car its age and mileage, ranking 6 of 23 SL years (4,482 DVSA tests, 2022 to 2024).
What fails on a 2005 Mercedes-Benz SL MOT?
Most often coil spring fractured or broken (2.79% of tests), suspension ball joint excessively worn (1.29% of tests), wiper blade not clearing windscreen (0.94% of tests).
How many miles should a 2005 Mercedes-Benz SL have done?
At its MOT aged about 18, a typical 2005 Mercedes-Benz SL shows 71,131 miles. Much higher or lower is worth asking about.
What plate is a 2005 car?
A car first registered in 2005 carries a 54 plate (January–February 2005), or a 05 plate (March–August 2005), or a 55 plate (September–December 2005).
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