2007 Mercedes-Benz SLK — MOT failures & pass rate
The 2007 Mercedes-Benz SLK passed 77.3% of its 22,136 recorded MOT tests. Against coupes & convertibles of a similar age (21.6% fail rate), the 2007 SLK comes out 1.1pp worse. Failures cluster in suspension, brakes and lighting & signalling.
What the MOT record shows
Suspension dominates the failure mix at 14.0% of all tests — 7.5 points clear of brakes, so it is the first thing to check.
At component level the recurring items are coil spring, ball joint and rigid brake pipes — coil spring alone was recorded 1,481 times.
A 150k+ example is materially riskier than a 0-30k one: 28.2% versus 9.3%.
Advisories point at the next bill rather than this one: brakes was flagged on 27.7% of tests without failing them.
How it compares
Top failure categories
| # | Category | % of tests affected | Tests |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Suspension | 14.0% | 3,090 |
| 2 | Brakes | 6.5% | 1,427 |
| 3 | Lighting & signalling | 5.4% | 1,193 |
| 4 | Tyres | 4.2% | 929 |
| 5 | Seat belts & restraints | 2.8% | 613 |
| 6 | Visibility | 2.6% | 580 |
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 | 1,481 |
| 2 | Ball joint | 1,179 |
| 3 | Rigid brake pipes | 713 |
| 4 | SRS malfunction indicator lamp | 598 |
| 5 | Headlamp aim | 518 |
| 6 | Tread depth | 513 |
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 | 27.7% | 6,120 |
| 2 | Tyres | 23.4% | 5,170 |
| 3 | Suspension | 23.0% | 5,086 |
| 4 | Body, structure & corrosion | 8.4% | 1,869 |
| 5 | Other defects | 7.6% | 1,677 |
| 6 | Lighting & signalling | 5.9% | 1,307 |
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 | 985 | 9.3% |
| 30-60k | 6,620 | 18.7% |
| 60-90k | 8,624 | 24.0% |
| 90-120k | 4,391 | 26.8% |
| 120-150k | 1,169 | 30.6% |
| 150k+ | 333 | 28.2% |
Failure rate by age
Trend over time
| Dataset year | Tests | Fail rate |
|---|---|---|
| 2021 | 4,629 | 22.1% |
| 2022 | 4,536 | 22.2% |
| 2023 | 4,433 | 22.8% |
| 2024 | 4,339 | 23.5% |
| 2025 | 4,199 | 23.2% |
What to check before buying a 2007 SLK
On a 2007 SLK, suspension is what the MOT record says goes wrong most — it appeared in 14.0% of tests. Check these areas before you commit.
- Suspension (14.0% 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.
- Brakes (6.5% 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.
- Lighting & signalling (5.4% 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 2007 Mercedes-Benz SLKs pass their MOT?
77.3% of the 22,136 2007 Mercedes-Benz SLK MOT tests in this dataset passed — a 22.8% fail rate.
What is the most common MOT failure on a 2007 Mercedes-Benz SLK?
Suspension, recorded in 14.0% of tests, followed by brakes (6.5%).
Does the 2007 SLK get worse with mileage?
Its MOT fail rate rises from 9.3% in the 0-30k band to 28.2% in the 150k+ band.
Methodology & source. Based on 22,136 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.