2015 Mercedes-Benz SL MOT pass rate, common failures & what to check

In 2025, 86.7% of Mercedes-Benz SLs first used in 2015 passed their MOT first time, against 71.9% for all cars first used in 2015. Across 2,430 SL first tests from 2023 to 2025, the most common failure areas were tyres, suspension and visibility (wipers, washers and windscreen).

This page analyses first MOT tests for Mercedes-Benz SLs first used in 2015 (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
86.7%
of 788 first tests; all cars first used in 2015: 71.9%. Fixed-at-the-test counts as a fail
Tests analysed
2,430
first tests, 2023–2025; 788 in 2025
Clean pass, 2025
63.1%
of 788 first tests in 2025, passed with no advisory and no minor defect recorded
Typical mileage, tested in 2025
41,000
middle half: 27,500–55,000 miles; all cars first used in 2015: 74,000

How the 2015 Mercedes-Benz SL MOT pass rate has changed

Share of first tests passed in each year, SLs first used in 2015 against all cars first used in 2015 (any make or fuel; not adjusted for mileage, fuel or use). In 2025 the SL figure was 14.8 points higher.

2015 SLAll cars first used in 2015
70%80%90%20212022202320242025Test year (first tests)All cars first used in 2015, test year 2021: 79.7%All cars first used in 2015, test year 2022: 77.8%All cars first used in 2015, test year 2023: 75.5%All cars first used in 2015, test year 2024: 73.5%All cars first used in 2015, test year 2025: 71.9%2015 SL, test year 2021: 90%2015 SL, test year 2022: 89.6%2015 SL, test year 2023: 89.7%2015 SL, test year 2024: 85.9%2015 SL, test year 2025: 86.7%86.7%71.9%
View this chart as a table
Test year2015 SLAll cars first used 2015SL first tests
202190.0%79.7%833
202289.6%77.8%817
202389.7%75.5%819
202485.9%73.5%823
202586.7%71.9%788

Common 2015 Mercedes-Benz SL MOT failures

Share of the 305 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%.

Tyres51.5%
Suspension22.3%
Visibility10.2%

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 cords16.4%50

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

What to check on a 2015 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. Wipers and windscreen. Worth checking that the wipers clear the screen cleanly, that the washers work, and that there are no chips or cracks in the driver’s view.

Common 2015 Mercedes-Benz SL MOT advisories

Advisories are points the tester noted that did not fail the car. Most common on 2015 SLs, as a share of all 2,430 first tests, 2023–2025.

DVSA advisory itemShare of first testsTests
Tread depth: worn close to legal limit/worn on edge10.2%248
Tyre condition: slightly damaged/cracking or perishing5.7%138
Ball joint: has slight play3.8%93
Brake pads: wearing thin3.0%72
Tyre condition: has a cut but not deep enough to reach the ply or cords2.7%65

Questions about the 2015 Mercedes-Benz SL MOT

What is the MOT pass rate of a 2015 Mercedes-Benz SL?

In 2025, 86.7% of SLs first used in 2015 passed their MOT first time, against 71.9% for all cars first used in 2015. A car fixed during the test counts as a fail.

What does a 2015 SL most often fail its MOT on?

Tyres (in 51.5% of failed first tests, 2023–2025), suspension (22.3%) and visibility (wipers, washers and windscreen) (10.2%). The single most common item was “Tyre condition: has a cut in excess of the requirements deep enough to reach the ply or cords” (16.4%).

How often does a 2015 Mercedes-Benz SL fail its MOT?

In 2025, 13.3% of first tests on SLs first used in 2015 did not pass first time: 12.2% failed, and a further 1.1% had a fault fixed during the test (counted as a fail here). Across 2023–2025, 305 of 2,430 first tests did not pass first time.

What are the most common 2015 Mercedes-Benz SL MOT advisories?

“Tread depth: worn close to legal limit/worn on edge” (on 10.2% of first tests, 2023–2025), “Tyre condition: slightly damaged/cracking or perishing” (5.7%), “Ball joint: has slight play” (3.8%), “Brake pads: wearing thin” (3.0%) and “Tyre condition: has a cut but not deep enough to reach the ply or cords” (2.7%).

Is a 2015 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 90.0% in 2021 to 86.7% in 2025. For one particular car, its own MOT history matters more than the average.

Other cars first used in 2015

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

2015 Ford Fiesta MOT statistics · 2015 Vauxhall Corsa MOT statistics · 2015 Ford Focus MOT statistics · 2015 Volkswagen Golf MOT statistics · 2015 Nissan Qashqai MOT statistics

How the 2015 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. “2015 SL” means a Mercedes-Benz SL whose date of first use falls in 2015 (64, 15 and 65 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 2015, 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.