2002 Mercedes-Benz SLK MOT pass rate, common failures & what to check

In 2025, 71.1% of Mercedes-Benz SLKs first used in 2002 passed their MOT first time, against 59.5% for all cars first used in 2002. Across 5,616 SLK first tests from 2023 to 2025, the most common failure areas were lamps and electrical equipment, brakes and visibility (wipers, washers and windscreen).

This page analyses first MOT tests for Mercedes-Benz SLKs first used in 2002 (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
71.1%
of 1,639 first tests; all cars first used in 2002: 59.5%. Fixed-at-the-test counts as a fail
Tests analysed
5,616
first tests, 2023–2025; 1,639 in 2025
Clean pass, 2025
32.4%
of 1,639 first tests in 2025, passed with no advisory and no minor defect recorded
Typical mileage, tested in 2025
83,500
middle half: 62,500–108,500 miles; all cars first used in 2002: 102,000

How the 2002 Mercedes-Benz SLK MOT pass rate has changed

Share of first tests passed in each year, SLKs first used in 2002 against all cars first used in 2002 (any make or fuel; not adjusted for mileage, fuel or use). In 2025 the SLK figure was 11.6 points higher.

2002 SLKAll cars first used in 2002
50%60%70%80%20212022202320242025Test year (first tests)All cars first used in 2002, test year 2021: 54.4%All cars first used in 2002, test year 2022: 56.2%All cars first used in 2002, test year 2023: 57.5%All cars first used in 2002, test year 2024: 58%All cars first used in 2002, test year 2025: 59.5%2002 SLK, test year 2021: 68.7%2002 SLK, test year 2022: 69.2%2002 SLK, test year 2023: 70.3%2002 SLK, test year 2024: 69.4%2002 SLK, test year 2025: 71.1%71.1%59.5%
View this chart as a table
Test year2002 SLKAll cars first used 2002SLK first tests
202168.7%54.4%2,428
202269.2%56.2%2,289
202370.3%57.5%2,078
202469.4%58.0%1,899
202571.1%59.5%1,639

Common 2002 Mercedes-Benz SLK MOT failures

Share of the 1,673 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%.

Lamps, reflectors and electrical equipment57.4%
Brakes26.6%
Visibility22.1%
Suspension17.3%
Tyres14.5%
Noise, emissions and leaks11.4%
Body, chassis, structure10.3%
Seat belts and supplementary restraint systems3.9%

Most common failure items

DVSA failure itemShare of failed first testsTests
Stop lamp: not working17.9%300
Position lamp: not working12.1%202
Headlamp aim: projected beam image is obviously incorrect9.4%157
Wipers: does not clear the windscreen effectively8.5%143
Rigid brake pipes: excessively corroded7.5%126

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

What to check on a 2002 Mercedes-Benz SLK before buying

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

  1. Lamps and electrics. Ask someone to watch while you work the brake lights, indicators, sidelights, dipped and main beam, and the number-plate lamps.
  2. Brakes. Worth looking at the discs and pads through the wheel spokes for scoring and a worn lip, and noticing on the test drive whether the car pulls to one side or the pedal feels long.
  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 2002 Mercedes-Benz SLK MOT advisories

Advisories are points the tester noted that did not fail the car. Most common on 2002 SLKs, as a share of all 5,616 first tests, 2023–2025.

DVSA advisory itemShare of first testsTests
Rigid brake pipes: corroded, covered in grease or other material17.0%955
Tread depth: worn close to legal limit/worn on edge13.4%753
Tyre condition: slightly damaged/cracking or perishing11.0%617
Engine oil leaks: leak, but not excessive8.4%471
Wheel bearings: has slight play7.3%410

Questions about the 2002 Mercedes-Benz SLK MOT

What is the MOT pass rate of a 2002 Mercedes-Benz SLK?

In 2025, 71.1% of SLKs first used in 2002 passed their MOT first time, against 59.5% for all cars first used in 2002. A car fixed during the test counts as a fail.

What does a 2002 SLK most often fail its MOT on?

Lamps and electrical equipment (in 57.4% of failed first tests, 2023–2025), brakes (26.6%) and visibility (wipers, washers and windscreen) (22.1%). The single most common item was “Stop lamp: not working” (17.9%).

How often does a 2002 Mercedes-Benz SLK fail its MOT?

In 2025, 28.9% of first tests on SLKs first used in 2002 did not pass first time: 22.6% failed, and a further 6.3% had a fault fixed during the test (counted as a fail here). Across 2023–2025, 1,673 of 5,616 first tests did not pass first time.

What are the most common 2002 Mercedes-Benz SLK MOT advisories?

“Rigid brake pipes: corroded, covered in grease or other material” (on 17.0% of first tests, 2023–2025), “Tread depth: worn close to legal limit/worn on edge” (13.4%), “Tyre condition: slightly damaged/cracking or perishing” (11.0%), “Engine oil leaks: leak, but not excessive” (8.4%) and “Wheel bearings: has slight play” (7.3%).

Is a 2002 Mercedes-Benz SLK 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 68.7% in 2021 to 71.1% in 2025. For one particular car, its own MOT history matters more than the average.

Other cars first used in 2002

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

2002 Volkswagen Golf MOT statistics · 2002 Ford Focus MOT statistics · 2002 Toyota Yaris MOT statistics · 2002 MINI Hatch MOT statistics · 2002 BMW 3 Series MOT statistics

How the 2002 Mercedes-Benz SLK 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. “2002 SLK” means a Mercedes-Benz SLK whose date of first use falls in 2002 (51, 02 and 52 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 2002, 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.