2016 Mercedes-Benz SLC — MOT failures & pass rate
The 2016 Mercedes-Benz SLC passed 88.7% of its 12,699 recorded MOT tests. Coupes & convertibles of a similar age fail at 10.8%, so the 2016 SLC sits squarely on the average. Failures cluster in tyres, suspension and lighting & signalling.
What the MOT record shows
Tyres dominates the failure mix at 6.5% of all tests — 3.7 points clear of suspension, so it is the first thing to check.
At component level the recurring items are tread depth, coil spring and headlamp aim — tread depth alone was recorded 272 times.
Mileage is the strongest signal on the record: 7.9% of 0-30k cars fail, rising to 20.0% once past 90-120k — 2.5× the risk.
Split by fuel, diesel examples fail 3.3pp more often than petrol ones (12.9% vs 9.6%) — worth weighing if you have a choice.
Advisories point at the next bill rather than this one: tyres was flagged on 24.1% of tests without failing them.
The trend is worsening — 9.1% of tests failed in 2021 against 12.7% in 2025, the usual pattern as a fleet ages.
How it compares
Top failure categories
| # | Category | % of tests affected | Tests |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Tyres | 6.5% | 821 |
| 2 | Suspension | 2.7% | 348 |
| 3 | Lighting & signalling | 1.9% | 242 |
| 4 | Brakes | 1.3% | 162 |
| 5 | Emissions & environmental | 1.2% | 147 |
| 6 | Visibility | 0.8% | 104 |
Most common specific failures
The exact components most often recorded as failures — more specific than the categories above.
| # | Failure item | Times recorded |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Tread depth | 272 |
| 2 | Coil spring | 250 |
| 3 | Headlamp aim | 200 |
| 4 | Malfunction indicator lamp | 105 |
| 5 | Brake pads | 77 |
| 6 | Washers | 67 |
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 | 24.1% | 3,067 |
| 2 | Brakes | 7.6% | 964 |
| 3 | Suspension | 5.3% | 680 |
| 4 | Other defects | 2.8% | 358 |
| 5 | Visibility | 1.9% | 248 |
| 6 | Road wheels | 1.8% | 223 |
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 | 5,422 | 7.9% |
| 30-60k | 5,805 | 13.0% |
| 60-90k | 1,263 | 16.4% |
| 90-120k | 180 | 20.0% |
Failure rate by age
By fuel type
| Fuel | Tests | Fail rate |
|---|---|---|
| Diesel | 6,371 | 12.9% |
| Petrol | 6,328 | 9.6% |
Trend over time
| Dataset year | Tests | Fail rate |
|---|---|---|
| 2021 | 2,511 | 9.1% |
| 2022 | 2,529 | 10.0% |
| 2023 | 2,555 | 11.6% |
| 2024 | 2,549 | 13.0% |
| 2025 | 2,555 | 12.7% |
What to check before buying a 2016 SLC
On a 2016 SLC, tyres is what the MOT record says goes wrong most — it appeared in 6.5% of tests. Check these areas before you commit.
- Tyres (6.5% 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 (2.7% 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 (1.9% 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 2016 Mercedes-Benz SLCs pass their MOT?
88.7% of the 12,699 2016 Mercedes-Benz SLC MOT tests in this dataset passed — a 11.3% fail rate.
What is the most common MOT failure on a 2016 Mercedes-Benz SLC?
Tyres, recorded in 6.5% of tests, followed by suspension (2.7%).
Does the 2016 SLC get worse with mileage?
Its MOT fail rate rises from 7.9% in the 0-30k band to 20.0% in the 90-120k band.
Methodology & source. Based on 12,699 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.