Mercedes-Benz SLC MOT pass rate and common problems
89.8% of 16,664 Mercedes-Benz SLC MOT tests pass.
The SLC passes its MOT 89.8% of the time — well above the average across all Mercedes-Benz models, which sits at 83.5%.
The Mercedes-Benz SLC passes its MOT 89.8% of the time — well above the national average for cars, which sits at 79.2%.
Own this Mercedes-Benz SLC?
This is the average across every Mercedes-Benz SLC in the dataset. Look up your own registration for its actual MOT history, and a free place to keep its maintenance records.
Have service invoices? Upload and keep them with your car’s history →
How to check and keep your Mercedes-Benz’s service history →
Pass rate by vehicle age
Pass rate declines noticeably with age, from 100.0% at 0–3 years to 88.8% at 6–10 years.
| Vehicle age | Pass rate | Tests | Average mileage |
|---|---|---|---|
| 0–3 years | 100.0% | 47 | 17,206 miles |
| 3–6 years | 92.9% | 3,912 | 24,305 miles |
| 6–10 years | 88.8% | 12,691 | 36,629 miles |
| 10–15 years | no tests recorded | 0 | no reading |
| 15+ years | too few tests (14) | 14 | no reading |
Common MOT failure reasons for the Mercedes-Benz SLC
The most common reason the Mercedes-Benz SLC fails its MOT is tyres — present in 49.8% of failed tests, most often logged as "Has ply or cords exposed".
| Category | Share of failed tests | Example |
|---|---|---|
| Tyres | 49.8% | Has ply or cords exposed |
| Suspension | 23.7% | Fractured or broken |
| Lamps, reflectors and electrical equipment | 14.8% | Too low |
| Brakes | 13.4% | Warning lamp indicates an abs fault |
| Noise, emissions and leaks | 6.8% | Inoperative or indicates a malfunction |
| Visibility | 5.2% | Does not clear the windscreen effectively |
| Road Wheels | 3.6% | Fractured |
| Identification of the vehicle | 3.2% | Does not conform to the specified requirements |
| Body, chassis, structure | 0.7% | Leaking |
| Seat belts and supplementary restraint systems | 0.6% | Warning lamp indicates a fault |
Buying a used Mercedes-Benz SLC: what to check
These checks follow the Mercedes-Benz SLC’s own MOT record: the areas it fails on most often, and how that changes as the car gets older. None of them replaces a mechanic’s inspection, but they tell you where to look first.
The biggest drop in pass rate for the Mercedes-Benz SLC comes between 0–3 years and 3–6 years old, from 100.0% to 92.9%. If you are looking at one in or just past that range, read its MOT history closely.
By mileage, the steepest fall is from 60,000–90,000 mi to 90,000–120,000 mi: 84.7% down to 71.9%. Mileage matters as well as age, so compare the car’s recorded mileages with its year.
1. Tyres
Recorded in 49.8% of failed Mercedes-Benz SLC MOTs. Rare on young cars, but 6.2% of tests at 6–10 years failed on tyres.
Check tread depth across the whole width of every tyre, including the inner edge. Uneven wear can point to alignment or suspension problems. Look for cuts and bulges in the sidewalls.
2. Suspension
Recorded in 23.7% of failed Mercedes-Benz SLC MOTs. Rare on young cars, but 3.5% of tests at 6–10 years failed on suspension.
Listen for knocks over bumps and speed humps, and check the car sits level. Push down on each corner: it should settle rather than keep bouncing.
3. Lights and electrics
Recorded in 14.8% of failed Mercedes-Benz SLC MOTs. Rare on young cars, but 1.9% of tests at 6–10 years failed on lights and electrics.
Walk round with the lights on: headlights (dipped and main), indicators, brake lights, fog light and number-plate lamp. Check the dashboard warning lights come on with the ignition, then go out once the engine starts.
4. Brakes
Recorded in 13.4% of failed Mercedes-Benz SLC MOTs. Rare on young cars, but 1.8% of tests at 6–10 years failed on brakes.
On the test drive, the car should stop straight without pulling or juddering, and the handbrake should hold it on a slope. Look through the wheels for scored or heavily lipped discs.
5. Exhaust, emissions and leaks
Recorded in 6.8% of failed Mercedes-Benz SLC MOTs.
Look under the car for fresh oil or coolant, and listen for blows or rattles from the exhaust. Watch for smoke from the tailpipe when the engine starts and when you accelerate.
Check the car’s own MOT history. Averages describe the model, not the car in front of you. Look up its registration for past failures, advisories that were never fixed, and gaps or dips in the recorded mileage.
Ask for the service history. Invoices show what was done and when; a stamp alone shows less. See how to check Mercedes-Benz service history and what a service history check can tell you.
Related Mercedes-Benz models
- Mercedes-Benz Sprinter — 76.9% pass rate
- Mercedes-Benz Citan — 72.0% pass rate
- Mercedes-Benz V-Class — 87.1% pass rate
- Mercedes-Benz Eqc — 88.9% pass rate
- Mercedes-Benz CLC — 65.4% pass rate
- Mercedes-Benz GLB — 93.4% pass rate
Frequently asked questions
- What is the MOT pass rate for the Mercedes-Benz SLC?
- 89.8% of Mercedes-Benz SLC MOT tests pass, based on 16,664 tests in the DVSA anonymised MOT tests and results dataset.
- What are the most common MOT failures for the Mercedes-Benz SLC?
- The most common reason the Mercedes-Benz SLC fails its MOT is tyres — present in 49.8% of failed tests, most often logged as "Has ply or cords exposed".
- What are the common problems with the Mercedes-Benz SLC?
- Going by its MOT results, the most common problem areas on the Mercedes-Benz SLC are tyres; suspension; lights and electrics. Rare on young cars, but 6.2% of tests at 6–10 years failed on tyres.
- What should I check when buying a used Mercedes-Benz SLC?
- Start with the areas it most often fails its MOT on: tyres; suspension; lights and electrics; brakes; exhaust, emissions and leaks. Then check the specific car's MOT history by registration for failures, advisories and mileage, and ask the seller for service invoices.
- Does this show the Mercedes-Benz SLC's service history?
- No — this is MOT test data, which covers roadworthiness, not servicing. A service history is a separate record of maintenance work, which a specific car only has if its owner has kept it. See the Mercedes-Benz service history guide for how to check and keep one.