2013 Mercedes-Benz SL MOT pass rate, common failures & what to check

In 2025, 81.0% of Mercedes-Benz SLs first used in 2013 passed their MOT first time, against 65.8% for all cars first used in 2013. Across 3,423 SL first tests from 2023 to 2025, the most common failure areas were tyres, suspension and noise, emissions and leaks.

This page analyses first MOT tests for Mercedes-Benz SLs first used in 2013 (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
81.0%
of 1,152 first tests; all cars first used in 2013: 65.8%. Fixed-at-the-test counts as a fail
Tests analysed
3,423
first tests, 2023–2025; 1,152 in 2025
Clean pass, 2025
55.6%
of 1,152 first tests in 2025, passed with no advisory and no minor defect recorded
Typical mileage, tested in 2025
48,000
middle half: 34,500–64,500 miles; all cars first used in 2013: 86,500

How the 2013 Mercedes-Benz SL MOT pass rate has changed

Share of first tests passed in each year, SLs first used in 2013 against all cars first used in 2013 (any make or fuel; not adjusted for mileage, fuel or use). In 2025 the SL figure was 15.2 points higher.

2013 SLAll cars first used in 2013
60%70%80%90%20212022202320242025Test year (first tests)All cars first used in 2013, test year 2021: 72.1%All cars first used in 2013, test year 2022: 70.3%All cars first used in 2013, test year 2023: 68.3%All cars first used in 2013, test year 2024: 66.8%All cars first used in 2013, test year 2025: 65.8%2013 SL, test year 2021: 85.6%2013 SL, test year 2022: 85.1%2013 SL, test year 2023: 84.1%2013 SL, test year 2024: 82%2013 SL, test year 2025: 81%81%65.8%
View this chart as a table
Test year2013 SLAll cars first used 2013SL first tests
202185.6%72.1%1,142
202285.1%70.3%1,127
202384.1%68.3%1,146
202482.0%66.8%1,125
202581.0%65.8%1,152

Common 2013 Mercedes-Benz SL MOT failures

Share of the 604 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%.

Tyres32.6%
Suspension25.5%
Noise, emissions and leaks21.0%
Lamps, reflectors and electrical equipment18.7%
Brakes13.9%
Visibility7.6%
Road Wheels6.0%
Identification of the vehicle5.1%

Most common failure items

DVSA failure itemShare of failed first testsTests
Malfunction indicator lamp: inoperative or indicates a malfunction16.7%101
Tyre condition: has ply or cords exposed10.8%65

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

What to check on a 2013 Mercedes-Benz SL before buying

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

  1. Tyres. Worth checking the tread depth across the whole width of each tyre, and the sidewalls for cuts, cracks and bulges.
  2. Suspension. Worth looking behind the front wheels with a torch at the coil springs, and listening for knocks over bumps on the test drive.
  3. Engine and emissions. Worth checking that the engine warning light goes out after starting, looking for oil leaks under the car, and noticing any smoke from the exhaust.

Common 2013 Mercedes-Benz SL MOT advisories

Advisories are points the tester noted that did not fail the car. Most common on 2013 SLs, as a share of all 3,423 first tests, 2023–2025.

DVSA advisory itemShare of first testsTests
Tread depth: worn close to legal limit/worn on edge11.0%378
Rigid brake pipes: corroded, covered in grease or other material6.5%221
Tyre condition: slightly damaged/cracking or perishing4.9%167
Ball joint: has slight play4.6%157
Brake discs: worn, pitted or scored, but not seriously weakened3.6%123

Questions about the 2013 Mercedes-Benz SL MOT

What is the MOT pass rate of a 2013 Mercedes-Benz SL?

In 2025, 81.0% of SLs first used in 2013 passed their MOT first time, against 65.8% for all cars first used in 2013. A car fixed during the test counts as a fail.

What does a 2013 SL most often fail its MOT on?

Tyres (in 32.6% of failed first tests, 2023–2025), suspension (25.5%) and noise, emissions and leaks (21.0%). The single most common item was “Malfunction indicator lamp: inoperative or indicates a malfunction” (16.7%).

How often does a 2013 Mercedes-Benz SL fail its MOT?

In 2025, 19.0% of first tests on SLs first used in 2013 did not pass first time: 17.7% failed, and a further 1.3% had a fault fixed during the test (counted as a fail here). Across 2023–2025, 604 of 3,423 first tests did not pass first time.

What are the most common 2013 Mercedes-Benz SL MOT advisories?

“Tread depth: worn close to legal limit/worn on edge” (on 11.0% of first tests, 2023–2025), “Rigid brake pipes: corroded, covered in grease or other material” (6.5%), “Tyre condition: slightly damaged/cracking or perishing” (4.9%), “Ball joint: has slight play” (4.6%) and “Brake discs: worn, pitted or scored, but not seriously weakened” (3.6%).

Is a 2013 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 85.6% in 2021 to 81.0% in 2025. For one particular car, its own MOT history matters more than the average.

Other cars first used in 2013

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

2013 Ford Fiesta MOT statistics · 2013 Ford Focus MOT statistics · 2013 Vauxhall Corsa MOT statistics · 2013 Vauxhall Astra MOT statistics · 2013 Volkswagen Golf MOT statistics

How the 2013 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. “2013 SL” means a Mercedes-Benz SL whose date of first use falls in 2013 (62, 13 and 63 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 2013, 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. 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.