2017 Mercedes-Benz SLC MOT pass rate, common failures & what to check
In 2025, 82.4% of Mercedes-Benz SLCs first used in 2017 passed their MOT first time, against 78.2% for all cars first used in 2017. Across 10,354 SLC first tests from 2023 to 2025, the most common failure areas were tyres, suspension and lamps and electrical equipment.
This page analyses first MOT tests for Mercedes-Benz SLCs first used in 2017 (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
How the 2017 Mercedes-Benz SLC MOT pass rate has changed
Share of first tests passed in each year, SLCs first used in 2017 against all cars first used in 2017 (any make or fuel; not adjusted for mileage, fuel or use). In 2025 the SLC figure was 4.2 points higher.
View this chart as a table
| Test year | 2017 SLC | All cars first used 2017 | SLC first tests |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2021 | 89.7% | 85.9% | 3,519 |
| 2022 | 88.5% | 83.9% | 3,480 |
| 2023 | 85.8% | 81.7% | 3,461 |
| 2024 | 84.8% | 79.8% | 3,460 |
| 2025 | 82.4% | 78.2% | 3,433 |
Common 2017 Mercedes-Benz SLC MOT failures
Share of the 1,624 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%.
Most common failure items
| DVSA failure item | Share of failed first tests | Tests |
|---|---|---|
| Tyre condition: has ply or cords exposed | 16.3% | 264 |
| Tyre condition: has a cut in excess of the requirements deep enough to reach the ply or cords | 13.1% | 213 |
| Ball joint: excessively worn | 12.6% | 204 |
| Coil spring: fractured or broken | 10.2% | 166 |
| Tread depth: below requirements of 1.6mm | 9.6% | 156 |
Item names are DVSA’s own wording. 2023–2025 combined.
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Typical repair costs for common MOT failures
Typical UK garage prices for the job, not for an SLC in particular, and not a quote.
| Failure item | Typical job | Typical UK price | Usual range |
|---|---|---|---|
| Ball joint: excessively worn | Ball joint replacement | £90 | £60–£150 |
| Coil spring: fractured or broken | Coil 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 2017 Mercedes-Benz SLC before buying
The three areas where failed first tests most often had a fault, 2023–2025.
- Tyres. Worth checking the tread depth across the whole width of each tyre, and the sidewalls for cuts, cracks and bulges.
- Suspension. Worth looking behind the front wheels with a torch at the coil springs, and listening for knocks over bumps on the test drive.
- Lamps and electrics. Ask someone to watch while you work the brake lights, indicators, sidelights, dipped and main beam, and the number-plate lamps.
Common 2017 Mercedes-Benz SLC MOT advisories
Advisories are points the tester noted that did not fail the car. Most common on 2017 SLCs, as a share of all 10,354 first tests, 2023–2025.
| DVSA advisory item | Share of first tests | Tests |
|---|---|---|
| Tread depth: worn close to legal limit/worn on edge | 14.2% | 1,469 |
| Tyre condition: slightly damaged/cracking or perishing | 7.3% | 758 |
| Tyre condition: has a cut but not deep enough to reach the ply or cords | 3.3% | 344 |
| Brake discs: worn, pitted or scored, but not seriously weakened | 3.2% | 329 |
| Brake pads: wearing thin | 2.8% | 290 |
Questions about the 2017 Mercedes-Benz SLC MOT
What is the MOT pass rate of a 2017 Mercedes-Benz SLC?
In 2025, 82.4% of SLCs first used in 2017 passed their MOT first time, against 78.2% for all cars first used in 2017. A car fixed during the test counts as a fail.
What does a 2017 SLC most often fail its MOT on?
Tyres (in 45.5% of failed first tests, 2023–2025), suspension (31.7%) and lamps and electrical equipment (12.6%). The single most common item was “Tyre condition: has ply or cords exposed” (16.3%).
How often does a 2017 Mercedes-Benz SLC fail its MOT?
In 2025, 17.6% of first tests on SLCs first used in 2017 did not pass first time: 15.9% failed, and a further 1.7% had a fault fixed during the test (counted as a fail here). Across 2023–2025, 1,624 of 10,354 first tests did not pass first time.
What are the most common 2017 Mercedes-Benz SLC MOT advisories?
“Tread depth: worn close to legal limit/worn on edge” (on 14.2% of first tests, 2023–2025), “Tyre condition: slightly damaged/cracking or perishing” (7.3%), “Tyre condition: has a cut but not deep enough to reach the ply or cords” (3.3%), “Brake discs: worn, pitted or scored, but not seriously weakened” (3.2%) and “Brake pads: wearing thin” (2.8%).
Is a 2017 Mercedes-Benz SLC 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 89.7% in 2021 to 82.4% in 2025. For one particular car, its own MOT history matters more than the average.
Other cars first used in 2017
The most-tested cars from the same year. Each page uses the same method.
2017 Ford Fiesta MOT statistics · 2017 Volkswagen Golf MOT statistics · 2017 Ford Focus MOT statistics · 2017 Nissan Qashqai MOT statistics · 2017 Vauxhall Corsa MOT statistics
Checking a specific 2017 SLC?
The numbers above cover every SLC first used in 2017 and tested in Great Britain. Our free check shows the actual MOT history, mileage record and tax status of the one you are looking at.
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