2016 Mercedes-Benz Sl — MOT failures & pass rate
4,257 MOT tests on the 2016 Mercedes-Benz Sl are in this dataset, and 91.2% of them passed. Coupes & convertibles of a similar age fail 10.8% of the time, so this is 2.0pp better than the group it competes with. Failures cluster in tyres, lighting & signalling and suspension.
What the MOT record shows
One area stands out: tyres, recorded in 5.7% of tests against 1.9% for the next-worst category.
At component level the recurring items are headlamp aim, registration plates and ball joint — headlamp aim alone was recorded 63 times.
A 60-90k example is materially riskier than a 0-30k one: 17.4% versus 6.6%.
Tyres is the most common advisory, noted on 16.7% of tests — work that passed today but is likely due soon.
How it compares
Top failure categories
| # | Category | % of tests affected | Tests |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Tyres | 5.7% | 241 |
| 2 | Lighting & signalling | 1.9% | 79 |
| 3 | Suspension | 1.4% | 60 |
| 4 | Other defects | 0.6% | 27 |
| 5 | Visibility | 0.6% | 27 |
| 6 | Emissions & environmental | 0.6% | 24 |
Most common specific failures
The exact components most often recorded as failures — more specific than the categories above.
| # | Failure item | Times recorded |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Headlamp aim | 63 |
| 2 | Registration plates | 45 |
| 3 | Ball joint | 45 |
| 4 | Tread depth | 33 |
| 5 | Catalyst emissions | 23 |
| 6 | Washers | 16 |
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 | 16.7% | 712 |
| 2 | Brakes | 4.1% | 173 |
| 3 | Suspension | 3.8% | 163 |
| 4 | Visibility | 2.4% | 100 |
| 5 | Other defects | 2.0% | 86 |
| 6 | Road wheels | 1.6% | 68 |
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 | 2,183 | 6.6% |
| 30-60k | 1,771 | 10.1% |
| 60-90k | 276 | 17.4% |
Failure rate by age
Trend over time
| Dataset year | Tests | Fail rate |
|---|---|---|
| 2021 | 871 | 7.7% |
| 2022 | 874 | 10.1% |
| 2023 | 858 | 9.3% |
| 2024 | 825 | 8.0% |
| 2025 | 829 | 8.7% |
What to check before buying a 2016 Sl
The failure pattern for this year is specific enough to inspect against: tyres accounted for 5.7% of tests. Start there.
- Tyres (5.7% 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.
- Lighting & signalling (1.9% of tests): Often a cheap bulb, but persistent issues can mean wiring or corrosion in the units. Typical repair: £10–£150.
- Suspension (1.4% 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.
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 2016 Mercedes-Benz Sls pass their MOT?
91.2% of the 4,257 2016 Mercedes-Benz Sl MOT tests in this dataset passed — a 8.8% fail rate.
What is the most common MOT failure on a 2016 Mercedes-Benz Sl?
Tyres, recorded in 5.7% of tests, followed by lighting & signalling (1.9%).
Does the 2016 Sl get worse with mileage?
Its MOT fail rate rises from 6.6% in the 0-30k band to 17.4% in the 60-90k band.
Methodology & source. Based on 4,257 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.