2010 Mercedes-Benz Sl — MOT failures & pass rate
2,071 MOT tests on the 2010 Mercedes-Benz Sl are in this dataset, and 85.7% of them passed. That is 4.9 percentage points better than coupes & convertibles of a similar age, which fail at 19.2%. Failures cluster in tyres, suspension and lighting & signalling.
What the MOT record shows
No single area dominates — tyres (5.5%) and suspension (5.3%) are close, so failures are spread across several systems rather than one weak point.
At component level the recurring items are coil spring, rigid brake pipes and ball joint — coil spring alone was recorded 68 times.
A 120-150k example is materially riskier than a 0-30k one: 25.0% versus 8.5%.
Tyres is the most common advisory, noted on 19.8% of tests — work that passed today but is likely due soon.
The trend is worsening — 12.7% of tests failed in 2021 against 15.9% in 2025, the usual pattern as a fleet ages.
How it compares
Top failure categories
| # | Category | % of tests affected | Tests |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Tyres | 5.5% | 113 |
| 2 | Suspension | 5.3% | 109 |
| 3 | Lighting & signalling | 4.3% | 90 |
| 4 | Brakes | 2.5% | 52 |
| 5 | Visibility | 1.7% | 35 |
| 6 | Emissions & environmental | 0.8% | 17 |
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 | 68 |
| 2 | Rigid brake pipes | 31 |
| 3 | Ball joint | 31 |
| 4 | Headlamp aim | 30 |
| 5 | Individual direction indicators | 29 |
| 6 | Wipers | 24 |
Top advisory categories
Advisories aren't failures, but they flag work likely needed soon — useful when budgeting.
| # | Category | % of tests with advisory | Tests |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Tyres | 19.8% | 409 |
| 2 | Brakes | 19.2% | 398 |
| 3 | Suspension | 12.6% | 261 |
| 4 | Lighting & signalling | 5.7% | 117 |
| 5 | Other defects | 4.8% | 100 |
| 6 | Visibility | 3.5% | 72 |
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 | 283 | 8.5% |
| 30-60k | 925 | 12.8% |
| 60-90k | 616 | 15.9% |
| 90-120k | 193 | 22.8% |
| 120-150k | 40 | 25.0% |
Failure rate by age
Trend over time
| Dataset year | Tests | Fail rate |
|---|---|---|
| 2021 | 434 | 12.7% |
| 2022 | 424 | 13.9% |
| 2023 | 417 | 14.9% |
| 2024 | 393 | 14.2% |
| 2025 | 403 | 15.9% |
What to check before buying a 2010 Sl
The failure pattern for this year is specific enough to inspect against: tyres accounted for 5.5% of tests. Start there.
- Tyres (5.5% 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.
- 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.
- Lighting & signalling (4.3% of tests): Often a cheap bulb, but persistent issues can mean wiring or corrosion in the units. Typical repair: £10–£150.
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 2010 Mercedes-Benz Sls pass their MOT?
85.7% of the 2,071 2010 Mercedes-Benz Sl MOT tests in this dataset passed — a 14.3% fail rate.
What is the most common MOT failure on a 2010 Mercedes-Benz Sl?
Tyres, recorded in 5.5% of tests, followed by suspension (5.3%).
Does the 2010 Sl get worse with mileage?
Its MOT fail rate rises from 8.5% in the 0-30k band to 25.0% in the 120-150k band.
Methodology & source. Based on 2,071 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.