1998 Mercedes-Benz SLK · 4,020 MOT tests
1998 Mercedes-Benz SLK reliability
1998 Mercedes-Benz SLKs fail 31.4% of first MOT tests, 11% fewer MOT fails than the average car its age and mileage, ranking 19 of 20 SLK years (4,020 DVSA tests, 2022 to 2024).
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- first-time fail rate (all Mercedes-Benz SLKs: 25.9%)
- 31.4%
- first-time fail rate (all Mercedes-Benz SLKs: 25.9%)
- fails than cars of the same age and mileage
- 11% fewer
- fails than cars of the same age and mileage
- typical miles at its MOT, aged about 25
- 87,748
- typical miles at its MOT, aged about 25
- MOT tests, 2022 to 2024
- 4,020
- MOT tests, 2022 to 2024
Year on year
1998 against the years either side
- 1997 cars: 9% fewer MOT fails than the average car its age (the 1998 car does better)
- 1999 cars: 13% fewer MOT fails than the average car its age (the 1998 car does worse)
- Weak spot: lights and electrics, 18.6% of tests fail here (21% above cars of the same age and mileage).
- Strong point: seat belts and airbags, 61% fewer fails than comparable cars.
Common problems
What fails on a 1998 Mercedes-Benz SLK
Fail rate by area
- Lights and electrics18.6%
- Brakes6.7%
- Suspension6.3%
- Windscreen, wipers and mirrors5.6%
- Tyres4%
- Body, chassis and structure3.6%
- Exhaust, emissions and leaks3.1%
Average for cars of the same age and mileage
Top failures
Stop lamp not working 4.63%
A failed stop lamp means drivers behind cannot see when you brake, a safety risk that must be fixed.
Position lamp not working 2.71%
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 2.36%
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 2.11%
Wipers that do not clear the windscreen reduce visibility in rain, which is a safety risk, so replace them.
Rigid brake pipe excessively corroded 1.62%
Badly corroded brake pipes can leak or fail, which can cause a loss of braking, so repair is urgent.
Coil spring fractured or broken 1.62%
A broken coil spring can leave the car sitting low or unstable, so it must be replaced before driving.
Common advisories
Brake pipes corroded and greasy (14.25%) · Tyre worn close to legal limit (10.35%) · Tyre slightly damaged or cracking (8.98%) · Sub-frame showing corrosion (6.74%) · Coil spring showing some corrosion (5.57%) · Transmission oil leak, not excessive (5.27%)
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 1998 Mercedes-Benz SLK reliable?
1998 Mercedes-Benz SLKs fail 31.4% of first MOT tests, 11% fewer MOT fails than the average car its age and mileage, ranking 19 of 20 SLK years (4,020 DVSA tests, 2022 to 2024).
What fails on a 1998 Mercedes-Benz SLK MOT?
Most often stop lamp not working (4.63% of tests), position lamp not working (2.71% of tests), headlamp beam pattern obviously incorrect (2.36% of tests).
How many miles should a 1998 Mercedes-Benz SLK have done?
At its MOT aged about 25, a typical 1998 Mercedes-Benz SLK shows 87,748 miles. Much higher or lower is worth asking about.
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