1997 Mercedes-Benz SLK · 1,375 MOT tests
1997 Mercedes-Benz SLK reliability
1997 Mercedes-Benz SLKs fail 31.7% of first MOT tests, 9% fewer MOT fails than the average car its age and mileage, ranking 20 of 20 SLK years (1,375 DVSA tests, 2022 to 2024).
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- first-time fail rate (all Mercedes-Benz SLKs: 25.9%)
- 31.7%
- first-time fail rate (all Mercedes-Benz SLKs: 25.9%)
- fails than cars of the same age and mileage
- 9% fewer
- fails than cars of the same age and mileage
- typical miles at its MOT, aged about 25
- 90,010
- typical miles at its MOT, aged about 25
- MOT tests, 2022 to 2024
- 1,375
- MOT tests, 2022 to 2024
Year on year
1997 against the years either side
- 1998 cars: 11% fewer MOT fails than the average car its age (the 1997 car does worse)
- Weak spot: lights and electrics, 22% of tests fail here (45% above cars of the same age and mileage).
- Strong point: body, chassis and structure, 69% fewer fails than comparable cars.
Common problems
What fails on a 1997 Mercedes-Benz SLK
Fail rate by area
- Lights and electrics22%
- Windscreen, wipers and mirrors5.8%
- Brakes5.2%
- Tyres4%
- Exhaust, emissions and leaks3.9%
- Suspension3.9%
- Seat belts and airbags2.8%
Average for cars of the same age and mileage
Top failures
Stop lamp not working 8.07%
A failed stop lamp means drivers behind cannot see when you brake, a safety risk that must be fixed.
Position lamp not working 4.29%
A failed position lamp makes the car harder to see in poor light and is illegal, so it must be repaired.
Headlamp beam pattern obviously incorrect 3.05%
A wrongly shaped beam can dazzle other drivers and reduce your own view of the road, so the lamps need correcting.
Wiper blade not clearing windscreen 2.69%
Wipers that do not clear the windscreen reduce visibility in rain, which is a safety risk, so replace them.
Airbag warning lamp shows fault 2.47%
A lit airbag warning means the airbag system may not deploy in a crash, so it needs diagnosing and repairing.
Direction indicator wrong colour 2.4%
An indicator showing the wrong colour may confuse other drivers, so the lens or bulb should be replaced.
Common advisories
Brake pipes corroded and greasy (16.22%) · Tyre worn close to legal limit (10.91%) · Tyre slightly damaged or cracking (10.55%) · Coil spring showing some corrosion (9.82%) · Sub-frame showing corrosion (8.07%) · Transmission oil leak, not excessive (7.93%)
Other years
Every Mercedes-Benz SLK year
The full picture: Mercedes-Benz SLK reliability. Before you pay for any Mercedes-Benz SLK, 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 1997 Mercedes-Benz SLK reliable?
1997 Mercedes-Benz SLKs fail 31.7% of first MOT tests, 9% fewer MOT fails than the average car its age and mileage, ranking 20 of 20 SLK years (1,375 DVSA tests, 2022 to 2024).
What fails on a 1997 Mercedes-Benz SLK MOT?
Most often stop lamp not working (8.07% of tests), position lamp not working (4.29% of tests), headlamp beam pattern obviously incorrect (3.05% of tests).
How many miles should a 1997 Mercedes-Benz SLK have done?
At its MOT aged about 25, a typical 1997 Mercedes-Benz SLK shows 90,010 miles. Much higher or lower is worth asking about.
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