2002 Mercedes-Benz Sl — MOT failures & pass rate
Across 5,831 MOT tests, the 2002 Mercedes-Benz Sl recorded an 84.7% pass rate. That is 7.3 percentage points better than coupes & convertibles of a similar age, which fail at 22.6%. Failures cluster in suspension, lighting & signalling and brakes.
What the MOT record shows
No single area dominates — suspension (6.0%) and lighting & signalling (5.1%) are close, so failures are spread across several systems rather than one weak point.
At component level the recurring items are ball joint, shock absorbers and headlamp aim — ball joint alone was recorded 198 times.
Mileage is the strongest signal on the record: 9.9% of 0-30k cars fail, rising to 21.4% once past 150k — 2.1× the risk.
Advisories point at the next bill rather than this one: brakes was flagged on 23.4% of tests without failing them.
How it compares
Top failure categories
| # | Category | % of tests affected | Tests |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Suspension | 6.0% | 352 |
| 2 | Lighting & signalling | 5.1% | 297 |
| 3 | Brakes | 4.6% | 266 |
| 4 | Tyres | 3.8% | 222 |
| 5 | Visibility | 2.3% | 133 |
| 6 | Emissions & environmental | 1.5% | 85 |
Most common specific failures
The exact components most often recorded as failures — more specific than the categories above.
| # | Failure item | Times recorded |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Ball joint | 198 |
| 2 | Shock absorbers | 139 |
| 3 | Headlamp aim | 111 |
| 4 | Headlamp | 95 |
| 5 | Ball joint dust cover | 91 |
| 6 | Rigid brake pipes | 86 |
Top advisory categories
Advisories aren't failures, but they flag work likely needed soon — useful when budgeting.
| # | Category | % of tests with advisory | Tests |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Brakes | 23.4% | 1,364 |
| 2 | Suspension | 20.1% | 1,174 |
| 3 | Tyres | 17.8% | 1,035 |
| 4 | Emissions & environmental | 7.2% | 420 |
| 5 | Lighting & signalling | 6.8% | 395 |
| 6 | Other defects | 5.5% | 321 |
Failure rate by mileage
Higher-mileage cars tend to fail more — often the most useful guide to real condition.
| Mileage band | Tests | Fail rate |
|---|---|---|
| 0-30k | 342 | 9.9% |
| 30-60k | 1,499 | 11.4% |
| 60-90k | 2,236 | 15.7% |
| 90-120k | 1,252 | 18.0% |
| 120-150k | 370 | 20.8% |
| 150k+ | 103 | 21.4% |
Failure rate by age
Trend over time
| Dataset year | Tests | Fail rate |
|---|---|---|
| 2021 | 1,305 | 15.6% |
| 2022 | 1,288 | 16.2% |
| 2023 | 1,156 | 14.5% |
| 2024 | 1,061 | 14.4% |
| 2025 | 1,021 | 15.5% |
What to check before buying a 2002 Sl
On a 2002 Sl, suspension is what the MOT record says goes wrong most — it appeared in 6.0% of tests. Check these areas before you commit.
- Suspension (6.0% of tests): Worn drop links, bushes, springs or shocks — listen for knocks over bumps and check for uneven tyre wear. Typical repair: £150–£450 per corner.
- Lighting & signalling (5.1% of tests): Often a cheap bulb, but persistent issues can mean wiring or corrosion in the units. Typical repair: £10–£150.
- Brakes (4.6% of tests): Pads/discs are routine wear; binding, imbalance or corroded pipes are more serious — test for pulling under braking. Typical repair: £100–£350 per axle.
Repair costs are rough UK ballpark ranges to set expectations, not quotes — actual prices vary widely by car, parts and garage.
Frequently asked questions
How many 2002 Mercedes-Benz Sls pass their MOT?
84.7% of the 5,831 2002 Mercedes-Benz Sl MOT tests in this dataset passed — a 15.3% fail rate.
What is the most common MOT failure on a 2002 Mercedes-Benz Sl?
Suspension, recorded in 6.0% of tests, followed by lighting & signalling (5.1%).
Does the 2002 Sl get worse with mileage?
Its MOT fail rate rises from 9.9% in the 0-30k band to 21.4% in the 150k+ band.
Methodology & source. Based on 5,831 MOT tests. Dataset: DVSA MOT testing data (2021,2022,2023,2024,2025). Data last updated 2026-07-27. Figures reflect MOT-testable defects only — read the methodology for how these are calculated and what they don't measure.