2007 Mercedes-Benz Sl — MOT failures & pass rate
Across 4,579 MOT tests, the 2007 Mercedes-Benz Sl recorded an 85.8% pass rate. Coupes & convertibles of a similar age fail 21.6% of the time, so this is 7.4pp better than the group it competes with. Failures cluster in suspension, tyres and brakes.
What the MOT record shows
No single area dominates — suspension (5.3%) and tyres (4.3%) are close, so failures are spread across several systems rather than one weak point.
At component level the recurring items are coil spring, ball joint and malfunction indicator lamp — coil spring alone was recorded 114 times.
Condition tracks the odometer closely. Failures run at 8.6% in the 0-30k band and 20.8% in the 150k+ band, a 12.2-point spread — more than double.
Brakes is the most common advisory, noted on 21.5% of tests — work that passed today but is likely due soon.
How it compares
Top failure categories
| # | Category | % of tests affected | Tests |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Suspension | 5.3% | 241 |
| 2 | Tyres | 4.3% | 198 |
| 3 | Brakes | 3.9% | 177 |
| 4 | Lighting & signalling | 3.0% | 136 |
| 5 | Visibility | 2.1% | 95 |
| 6 | Emissions & environmental | 1.8% | 84 |
Most common specific failures
The exact components most often recorded as failures — more specific than the categories above.
| # | Failure item | Times recorded |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Coil spring | 114 |
| 2 | Ball joint | 101 |
| 3 | Malfunction indicator lamp | 76 |
| 4 | Rigid brake pipes | 66 |
| 5 | Wipers | 66 |
| 6 | Headlamp aim | 56 |
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 | 21.5% | 983 |
| 2 | Tyres | 18.2% | 832 |
| 3 | Suspension | 12.0% | 551 |
| 4 | Emissions & environmental | 4.5% | 204 |
| 5 | Other defects | 3.8% | 175 |
| 6 | Lighting & signalling | 3.4% | 156 |
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 | 360 | 8.6% |
| 30-60k | 1,526 | 11.5% |
| 60-90k | 1,717 | 15.4% |
| 90-120k | 754 | 17.6% |
| 120-150k | 173 | 22.5% |
| 150k+ | 48 | 20.8% |
Failure rate by age
Trend over time
| Dataset year | Tests | Fail rate |
|---|---|---|
| 2021 | 965 | 15.3% |
| 2022 | 929 | 11.9% |
| 2023 | 929 | 14.0% |
| 2024 | 878 | 15.3% |
| 2025 | 878 | 14.7% |
What to check before buying a 2007 Sl
The failure pattern for this year is specific enough to inspect against: suspension accounted for 5.3% of tests. Start there.
- Suspension (5.3% 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.
- Tyres (4.3% of tests): Usually a quick, known-cost fix, but check tread, age and uneven wear (which can hint at alignment or suspension issues). Typical repair: £50–£120 per tyre.
- Brakes (3.9% 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 2007 Mercedes-Benz Sls pass their MOT?
85.8% of the 4,579 2007 Mercedes-Benz Sl MOT tests in this dataset passed — a 14.2% fail rate.
What is the most common MOT failure on a 2007 Mercedes-Benz Sl?
Suspension, recorded in 5.3% of tests, followed by tyres (4.3%).
Does the 2007 Sl get worse with mileage?
Its MOT fail rate rises from 8.6% in the 0-30k band to 20.8% in the 150k+ band.
Methodology & source. Based on 4,579 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.