2006 Mercedes-Benz SL MOT pass rate, common failures & what to check

In 2025, 82.1% of Mercedes-Benz SLs first used in 2006 passed their MOT first time, against 57.0% for all cars first used in 2006. Across 2,422 SL first tests from 2023 to 2025, the most common failure areas were suspension, brakes and tyres.

This page analyses first MOT tests for Mercedes-Benz SLs first used in 2006 (all trims grouped): 2021 to 2025 for the pass-rate trend, and 2023 to 2025 for the failure and advisory analysis — plus what is worth checking before you buy one.

Data: DVSA anonymised MOT tests to December 2025 · Calculated by SortedCars · Updated October 2026

Passed first time, 2025
82.1%
of 777 first tests; all cars first used in 2006: 57.0%. Fixed-at-the-test counts as a fail
Tests analysed
2,422
first tests, 2023–2025; 777 in 2025
Clean pass, 2025
50.2%
of 777 first tests in 2025, passed with no advisory and no minor defect recorded
Typical mileage, tested in 2025
72,500
middle half: 53,500–95,500 miles; all cars first used in 2006: 106,500

How the 2006 Mercedes-Benz SL MOT pass rate has changed

Share of first tests passed in each year, SLs first used in 2006 against all cars first used in 2006 (any make or fuel; not adjusted for mileage, fuel or use). In 2025 the SL figure was 25.1 points higher.

2006 SLAll cars first used in 2006
50%60%70%80%90%20212022202320242025Test year (first tests)All cars first used in 2006, test year 2021: 55.5%All cars first used in 2006, test year 2022: 56%All cars first used in 2006, test year 2023: 56.2%All cars first used in 2006, test year 2024: 56.1%All cars first used in 2006, test year 2025: 57%2006 SL, test year 2021: 81.4%2006 SL, test year 2022: 80.9%2006 SL, test year 2023: 82.1%2006 SL, test year 2024: 80.2%2006 SL, test year 2025: 82.1%82.1%57%
View this chart as a table
Test year2006 SLAll cars first used 2006SL first tests
202181.4%55.5%885
202280.9%56.0%866
202382.1%56.2%851
202480.2%56.1%794
202582.1%57.0%777

Common 2006 Mercedes-Benz SL MOT failures

Share of the 448 failed first tests (2023–2025) with at least one failure in each area. A test can fail in more than one area, so the shares add up to more than 100%.

Suspension39.7%
Brakes26.1%
Tyres24.6%
Lamps, reflectors and electrical equipment16.7%
Visibility13.2%
Noise, emissions and leaks10.7%

Most common failure items

DVSA failure itemShare of failed first testsTests
Coil spring: fractured or broken19.2%86

Item names are DVSA’s own wording. 2023–2025 combined.

Typical repair costs for common MOT failures

Typical UK garage prices for the job, not for an SL in particular, and not a quote.

Failure itemTypical jobTypical UK priceUsual range
Coil spring: fractured or brokenCoil spring replacement£248£175–£400

From published UK repair-cost guides, checked September 2026. Only jobs with a published typical price are shown.

What to check on a 2006 Mercedes-Benz SL before buying

The three areas where failed first tests most often had a fault, 2023–2025.

  1. Suspension. Worth looking behind the front wheels with a torch at the coil springs, and listening for knocks over bumps on the test drive.
  2. Brakes. Worth looking at the discs and pads through the wheel spokes for scoring and a worn lip, and noticing on the test drive whether the car pulls to one side or the pedal feels long.
  3. Tyres. Worth checking the tread depth across the whole width of each tyre, and the sidewalls for cuts, cracks and bulges.

Common 2006 Mercedes-Benz SL MOT advisories

Advisories are points the tester noted that did not fail the car. Most common on 2006 SLs, as a share of all 2,422 first tests, 2023–2025.

DVSA advisory itemShare of first testsTests
Tread depth: worn close to legal limit/worn on edge10.5%254
Rigid brake pipes: corroded, covered in grease or other material10.3%249
Brake discs: worn, pitted or scored, but not seriously weakened7.3%178
Tyre condition: slightly damaged/cracking or perishing7.2%174
Brake pads: wearing thin5.5%134

Questions about the 2006 Mercedes-Benz SL MOT

What is the MOT pass rate of a 2006 Mercedes-Benz SL?

In 2025, 82.1% of SLs first used in 2006 passed their MOT first time, against 57.0% for all cars first used in 2006. A car fixed during the test counts as a fail.

What does a 2006 SL most often fail its MOT on?

Suspension (in 39.7% of failed first tests, 2023–2025), brakes (26.1%) and tyres (24.6%). The single most common item was “Coil spring: fractured or broken” (19.2%).

How often does a 2006 Mercedes-Benz SL fail its MOT?

In 2025, 17.9% of first tests on SLs first used in 2006 did not pass first time: 15.7% failed, and a further 2.2% had a fault fixed during the test (counted as a fail here). Across 2023–2025, 448 of 2,422 first tests did not pass first time.

What are the most common 2006 Mercedes-Benz SL MOT advisories?

“Tread depth: worn close to legal limit/worn on edge” (on 10.5% of first tests, 2023–2025), “Rigid brake pipes: corroded, covered in grease or other material” (10.3%), “Brake discs: worn, pitted or scored, but not seriously weakened” (7.3%), “Tyre condition: slightly damaged/cracking or perishing” (7.2%) and “Brake pads: wearing thin” (5.5%).

Is a 2006 Mercedes-Benz SL reliable?

An MOT pass rate shows what failed at the test, not how reliable a car is. For this group of cars the first-time pass rate went from 81.4% in 2021 to 82.1% in 2025. For one particular car, its own MOT history matters more than the average.

Other cars first used in 2006

The most-tested cars from the same year. Each page uses the same method.

2006 Ford Fiesta MOT statistics · 2006 Volkswagen Golf MOT statistics · 2006 Ford Focus MOT statistics · 2006 Vauxhall Astra MOT statistics · 2006 MINI Hatch MOT statistics

How the 2006 Mercedes-Benz SL MOT data is calculated

Every number on this page is calculated by SortedCars from DVSA’s anonymised MOT test data for Great Britain, 2021–2025. “2006 SL” means a Mercedes-Benz SL whose date of first use falls in 2006 (55, 06 and 56 plates), all trims grouped. Class 4 vehicles, first tests only — retests are not counted. Pass rate = passed ÷ all first tests; a car with a fault fixed during the test (PRS) counts as a fail. Our national first-test pass rate matches DVSA’s published figure (table DVSA/MOT/01) to within 0.04 points in every year. Clean pass = passed with no advisory and no minor defect recorded. Mileage is the reading recorded at the test. Comparisons are with all cars first used in 2006, any make or fuel, and are not adjusted for mileage, fuel or use. Failure and advisory item names are DVSA’s own wording. No figure is shown for fewer than 500 tests; an item is shown only if it appears on at least 50 tests and 1% of the base. Repair prices are typical UK prices for the job from published UK repair-cost guides, checked September 2026 — not for this model, and not a quote. Pass rates describe a group of cars, not one car: a well-kept example can pass and a neglected one can fail. This page is general information, not advice about any particular vehicle; always have a used car inspected before you buy. SortedCars is not affiliated with or endorsed by DVSA. You can check any car’s MOT history free on the official service: gov.uk/check-mot-history. Contains public sector information licensed under the Open Government Licence v3.0.