Used car guide

2016 Mercedes-Benz SL: common problems and what to check

What gets flagged at MOT on 2016 Mercedes-Benz SLs, from 766 tests in 2025, plus known faults and what to look at before you buy one.

766MOT tests in 2025
89%pass first time (all 2016 cars: 75%)
4,100typical miles a year
2.4×the usual rate for ball joint

What stands out

Parts flagged at MOT more often on 2016 Mercedes-Benz SLs than on all cars registered in 2016.

  • Ball joint2.4× usual
    Mercedes-Benz SL
    6.7% All 2016 cars
    2.8%

    Failed outright at MOT: 1.2%, against 1.5% of all 2016 cars. The rest were advisories or minor defects.

    Rough price £60–£150 (one joint) ClickMechanic

    At the viewing: Listen for knocking over bumps and check the rubber boots behind the wheels aren't split.

Better than most

Brake discs: 3.5% here, against 12.3% of all 2016 cars. Brake pads: 3.5% here, against 10.2% of all 2016 cars.

By area

The share of 2016 Mercedes-Benz SL MOT tests where testers flagged each area, as a fail or an advisory. Rough prices are typical independent-garage costs.

  • Tyres
    21% of testsRough price £70–£150

    At the viewing: Check the tread on all four tyres, including the inside edges, and look for cracks or bulges.

  • Suspension
    8% of testsRough price £120–£400

    At the viewing: Listen for knocks over speed bumps, and look behind each front wheel for a snapped coil spring.

  • Brakes
    6% of testsRough price £150–£350

    At the viewing: Look for a lip on the disc edges and feel for judder or pulling when braking firmly from about 40mph.

  • Lights and electrics
    4% of testsRough price £10–£80

    At the viewing: Ask a friend to check every light, including brake lights and indicators, while you operate them.

  • Wipers, windscreen and mirrors
    3% of testsRough price £15–£250

    At the viewing: Check for chips in the driver's view, and test the wipers and washers.

  • Exhaust and emissions
    1% of testsRough price £100–£1,200

    At the viewing: Look for black soot in the tailpipe, listen for blowing from the exhaust and check for engine or DPF warning lights.

Looking at a Mercedes-Benz SL?

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Other years

YearMOT testsMost flagged
2017640Tyres 23%
2015783Tyres 22%
20141,074Tyres 23%
20131,149Tyres 22%
2008743Brakes 23%
2007771Brakes 23%
2006778Brakes 25%
20051,079Brakes 24%
20041,742Brakes 24%
20032,242Brakes 25%
2002912Brakes 26%

Where this comes from: the DVSA's anonymised results for every MOT test in Great Britain in 2025, counting tests of 2016 Mercedes-Benz SLs registered in 2016. "Flagged" includes advisories, so it isn't the same as a fail rate. How we score