2002 Mercedes-Benz SLK — MOT failures & pass rate
12,257 MOT tests on the 2002 Mercedes-Benz SLK are in this dataset, and 81.0% of them passed. Coupes & convertibles of a similar age fail 22.6% of the time, so this is 3.6pp better than the group it competes with. Failures cluster in lighting & signalling, brakes and visibility.
What the MOT record shows
One area stands out: lighting & signalling, recorded in 14.7% of tests against 6.8% for the next-worst category.
At component level the recurring items are headlamp aim, stop lamp and headlamp — headlamp aim alone was recorded 776 times.
Condition tracks the odometer closely. Failures run at 8.9% in the 0-30k band and 28.9% in the 150k+ band, a 19.9-point spread — more than double.
Brakes is the most common advisory, noted on 31.7% of tests — work that passed today but is likely due soon.
How it compares
Top failure categories
| # | Category | % of tests affected | Tests |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Lighting & signalling | 14.7% | 1,807 |
| 2 | Brakes | 6.8% | 832 |
| 3 | Visibility | 5.5% | 675 |
| 4 | Suspension | 4.4% | 540 |
| 5 | Tyres | 4.1% | 505 |
| 6 | Emissions & environmental | 3.0% | 364 |
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 | 776 |
| 2 | Stop lamp | 676 |
| 3 | Headlamp | 533 |
| 4 | Rigid brake pipes | 464 |
| 5 | Position lamp | 433 |
| 6 | Wipers | 412 |
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 | 31.7% | 3,881 |
| 2 | Suspension | 24.8% | 3,036 |
| 3 | Tyres | 24.6% | 3,011 |
| 4 | Lighting & signalling | 11.6% | 1,417 |
| 5 | Emissions & environmental | 11.0% | 1,348 |
| 6 | Other defects | 9.2% | 1,122 |
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 | 448 | 8.9% |
| 30-60k | 2,200 | 13.4% |
| 60-90k | 4,118 | 18.5% |
| 90-120k | 3,686 | 21.7% |
| 120-150k | 1,395 | 22.5% |
| 150k+ | 402 | 28.9% |
Failure rate by age
Trend over time
| Dataset year | Tests | Fail rate |
|---|---|---|
| 2021 | 2,909 | 19.4% |
| 2022 | 2,732 | 18.9% |
| 2023 | 2,442 | 18.4% |
| 2024 | 2,249 | 19.2% |
| 2025 | 1,925 | 19.2% |
What to check before buying a 2002 SLK
The failure pattern for this year is specific enough to inspect against: lighting & signalling accounted for 14.7% of tests. Start there.
- Lighting & signalling (14.7% of tests): Often a cheap bulb, but persistent issues can mean wiring or corrosion in the units. Typical repair: £10–£150.
- Brakes (6.8% 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.
- Visibility (5.5% of tests): Wipers, washers, mirrors and screen damage — usually inexpensive, but check for chips in the driver's line of sight. Typical repair: £15–£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 2002 Mercedes-Benz SLKs pass their MOT?
81.0% of the 12,257 2002 Mercedes-Benz SLK MOT tests in this dataset passed — a 19.0% fail rate.
What is the most common MOT failure on a 2002 Mercedes-Benz SLK?
Lighting & signalling, recorded in 14.7% of tests, followed by brakes (6.8%).
Does the 2002 SLK get worse with mileage?
Its MOT fail rate rises from 8.9% in the 0-30k band to 28.9% in the 150k+ band.
Methodology & source. Based on 12,257 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.