2016 Mercedes-Benz SL MOT pass rate, common failures & what to check

In 2025, 89.2% of Mercedes-Benz SLs first used in 2016 passed their MOT first time, against 74.9% for all cars first used in 2016.

This page analyses first MOT tests for Mercedes-Benz SLs first used in 2016 (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
89.2%
of 766 first tests; all cars first used in 2016: 74.9%. Fixed-at-the-test counts as a fail
Tests analysed
2,331
first tests, 2023–2025; 766 in 2025
Clean pass, 2025
66.1%
of 766 first tests in 2025, passed with no advisory and no minor defect recorded
Typical mileage, tested in 2025
36,000
middle half: 26,000–48,000 miles; all cars first used in 2016: 67,500

How the 2016 Mercedes-Benz SL MOT pass rate has changed

Share of first tests passed in each year, SLs first used in 2016 against all cars first used in 2016 (any make or fuel; not adjusted for mileage, fuel or use). In 2025 the SL figure was 14.3 points higher.

2016 SLAll cars first used in 2016
70%80%90%20212022202320242025Test year (first tests)All cars first used in 2016, test year 2021: 82.7%All cars first used in 2016, test year 2022: 80.9%All cars first used in 2016, test year 2023: 78.6%All cars first used in 2016, test year 2024: 76.7%All cars first used in 2016, test year 2025: 74.9%2016 SL, test year 2021: 89.9%2016 SL, test year 2022: 87.3%2016 SL, test year 2023: 88.5%2016 SL, test year 2024: 89.7%2016 SL, test year 2025: 89.2%89.2%74.9%
View this chart as a table
Test year2016 SLAll cars first used 2016SL first tests
202189.9%82.7%813
202287.3%80.9%790
202388.5%78.6%786
202489.7%76.7%779
202589.2%74.9%766

Common 2016 Mercedes-Benz SL MOT advisories

Advisories are points the tester noted that did not fail the car. Most common on 2016 SLs, as a share of all 2,331 first tests, 2023–2025.

DVSA advisory itemShare of first testsTests
Tread depth: worn close to legal limit/worn on edge9.4%220
Tyre condition: slightly damaged/cracking or perishing4.7%110
Ball joint: has slight play3.9%92
Brake pads: wearing thin2.7%62
Tyre condition: has a cut but not deep enough to reach the ply or cords2.2%52

Questions about the 2016 Mercedes-Benz SL MOT

What is the MOT pass rate of a 2016 Mercedes-Benz SL?

In 2025, 89.2% of SLs first used in 2016 passed their MOT first time, against 74.9% for all cars first used in 2016. A car fixed during the test counts as a fail.

How often does a 2016 Mercedes-Benz SL fail its MOT?

In 2025, 10.8% of first tests on SLs first used in 2016 did not pass first time: 9.5% failed, and a further 1.3% had a fault fixed during the test (counted as a fail here). Across 2023–2025, 253 of 2,331 first tests did not pass first time.

What are the most common 2016 Mercedes-Benz SL MOT advisories?

“Tread depth: worn close to legal limit/worn on edge” (on 9.4% of first tests, 2023–2025), “Tyre condition: slightly damaged/cracking or perishing” (4.7%), “Ball joint: has slight play” (3.9%), “Brake pads: wearing thin” (2.7%) and “Tyre condition: has a cut but not deep enough to reach the ply or cords” (2.2%).

Is a 2016 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 89.9% in 2021 to 89.2% in 2025. For one particular car, its own MOT history matters more than the average.

Other cars first used in 2016

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

2016 Ford Fiesta MOT statistics · 2016 Vauxhall Corsa MOT statistics · 2016 Volkswagen Golf MOT statistics · 2016 Ford Focus MOT statistics · 2016 Nissan Qashqai MOT statistics

How the 2016 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. “2016 SL” means a Mercedes-Benz SL whose date of first use falls in 2016 (65, 16 and 66 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 2016, 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.