2014 Mercedes-Benz SL MOT pass rate, common failures & what to check

In 2025, 85.5% of Mercedes-Benz SLs first used in 2014 passed their MOT first time, against 68.6% for all cars first used in 2014. Across 3,216 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 2014 (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
85.5%
of 1,077 first tests; all cars first used in 2014: 68.6%. Fixed-at-the-test counts as a fail
Tests analysed
3,216
first tests, 2023–2025; 1,077 in 2025
Clean pass, 2025
57.7%
of 1,077 first tests in 2025, passed with no advisory and no minor defect recorded
Typical mileage, tested in 2025
46,500
middle half: 34,000–63,500 miles; all cars first used in 2014: 80,500

How the 2014 Mercedes-Benz SL MOT pass rate has changed

Share of first tests passed in each year, SLs first used in 2014 against all cars first used in 2014 (any make or fuel; not adjusted for mileage, fuel or use). In 2025 the SL figure was 16.9 points higher.

2014 SLAll cars first used in 2014
60%70%80%90%20212022202320242025Test year (first tests)All cars first used in 2014, test year 2021: 76.3%All cars first used in 2014, test year 2022: 74.1%All cars first used in 2014, test year 2023: 71.7%All cars first used in 2014, test year 2024: 69.9%All cars first used in 2014, test year 2025: 68.6%2014 SL, test year 2021: 88.6%2014 SL, test year 2022: 89%2014 SL, test year 2023: 86.4%2014 SL, test year 2024: 86.5%2014 SL, test year 2025: 85.5%85.5%68.6%
View this chart as a table
Test year2014 SLAll cars first used 2014SL first tests
202188.6%76.3%1,094
202289.0%74.1%1,068
202386.4%71.7%1,072
202486.5%69.9%1,067
202585.5%68.6%1,077

Common 2014 Mercedes-Benz SL MOT failures

Share of the 446 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%.

Tyres44.8%
Suspension23.8%
Noise, emissions and leaks15.2%
Lamps, reflectors and electrical equipment12.8%
Brakes11.4%
Visibility8.3%

Most common failure items

DVSA failure itemShare of failed first testsTests
Tyre condition: has a cut in excess of the requirements deep enough to reach the ply or cords15.9%71
Malfunction indicator lamp: inoperative or indicates a malfunction13.9%62
Tyre condition: has ply or cords exposed13.2%59

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

What to check on a 2014 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 2014 Mercedes-Benz SL MOT advisories

Advisories are points the tester noted that did not fail the car. Most common on 2014 SLs, as a share of all 3,216 first tests, 2023–2025.

DVSA advisory itemShare of first testsTests
Tread depth: worn close to legal limit/worn on edge9.2%295
Tyre condition: slightly damaged/cracking or perishing5.3%171
Rigid brake pipes: corroded, covered in grease or other material5.2%168
Brake discs: worn, pitted or scored, but not seriously weakened3.9%126
Ball joint: has slight play3.9%124

Questions about the 2014 Mercedes-Benz SL MOT

What is the MOT pass rate of a 2014 Mercedes-Benz SL?

In 2025, 85.5% of SLs first used in 2014 passed their MOT first time, against 68.6% for all cars first used in 2014. A car fixed during the test counts as a fail.

What does a 2014 SL most often fail its MOT on?

Tyres (in 44.8% of failed first tests, 2023–2025), suspension (23.8%) and noise, emissions and leaks (15.2%). The single most common item was “Tyre condition: has a cut in excess of the requirements deep enough to reach the ply or cords” (15.9%).

How often does a 2014 Mercedes-Benz SL fail its MOT?

In 2025, 14.5% of first tests on SLs first used in 2014 did not pass first time: 13.9% failed, and a further 0.6% had a fault fixed during the test (counted as a fail here). Across 2023–2025, 446 of 3,216 first tests did not pass first time.

What are the most common 2014 Mercedes-Benz SL MOT advisories?

“Tread depth: worn close to legal limit/worn on edge” (on 9.2% of first tests, 2023–2025), “Tyre condition: slightly damaged/cracking or perishing” (5.3%), “Rigid brake pipes: corroded, covered in grease or other material” (5.2%), “Brake discs: worn, pitted or scored, but not seriously weakened” (3.9%) and “Ball joint: has slight play” (3.9%).

Is a 2014 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 88.6% in 2021 to 85.5% in 2025. For one particular car, its own MOT history matters more than the average.

Other cars first used in 2014

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

2014 Ford Fiesta MOT statistics · 2014 Vauxhall Corsa MOT statistics · 2014 Ford Focus MOT statistics · 2014 Volkswagen Golf MOT statistics · 2014 Vauxhall Astra MOT statistics

How the 2014 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. “2014 SL” means a Mercedes-Benz SL whose date of first use falls in 2014 (63, 14 and 64 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 2014, 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.