Used car guide

2019 Mercedes-Benz SLC: common problems and what to check

What gets flagged at MOT on 2019 Mercedes-Benz SLCs, from 990 tests in 2025, plus known faults and what to look at before you buy one.

990MOT tests in 2025
89%pass first time (all 2019 cars: 84%)
3,800typical miles a year
10×the usual rate for wheel bearings

What stands out

Parts flagged at MOT more often on 2019 Mercedes-Benz SLCs than on all cars registered in 2019.

  • Wheel bearings10× usual
    Mercedes-Benz SLC
    3% All 2019 cars
    0.3%

    Failed outright at MOT: 0%, against 0.1% of all 2019 cars. The rest were advisories or minor defects.

    Rough price £120–£300 (one bearing) ClickMechanic

    At the viewing: Listen for a hum or growl that changes as you steer at speed.

Better than most

Brake discs: 2.3% here, against 9.9% of all 2019 cars.

By area

The share of 2019 Mercedes-Benz SLC MOT tests where testers flagged each area, as a fail or an advisory. Rough prices are typical independent-garage costs.

  • Tyres
    28% 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.

  • Lights and electrics
    7% of testsRough price £10–£80

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

  • Brakes
    4% 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.

  • Suspension
    2% 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.

  • Wipers, windscreen and mirrors
    2% of testsRough price £15–£250

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

Looking at a Mercedes-Benz SLC?

Check the actual car: its own MOT history, mileage and what to ask the seller. Free, no sign-up.

Other years

YearMOT testsMost flagged
2020605Tyres 26%
20181,492Tyres 28%
20173,425Tyres 29%
20162,250Tyres 28%

Where this comes from: the DVSA's anonymised results for every MOT test in Great Britain in 2025, counting tests of 2019 Mercedes-Benz SLCs registered in 2019. "Flagged" includes advisories, so it isn't the same as a fail rate. How we score