2013 Mercedes-Benz SLK: common problems and MOT failures

What goes wrong more than usual on a 2013 Mercedes-Benz SLK?

Parts flagged at MOT more often on the 2013 Mercedes-Benz SLK than on all cars registered in 2013.

• Link ball joint covers3.7× usual
  Mercedes-Benz SLK

  5.6% All 2013 cars

  1.5%

  Failed outright at MOT: 2.4%, against 0.9% of all 2013 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.

• Wheel bearings3.3× usual
  Mercedes-Benz SLK

  4% All 2013 cars

  1.2%

  Failed outright at MOT: 0.1%, against 0.5% of all 2013 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.

• Ball joint dust cover1.7× usual
  Mercedes-Benz SLK

  3.6% All 2013 cars

  2.1%

  Failed outright at MOT: 1.6%, against 0.9% of all 2013 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.

Common 2013 Mercedes-Benz SLK MOT failures and advisories

The share of 2013 Mercedes-Benz SLK MOT tests where testers flagged each area, as a fail or an advisory. Rough prices are typical independent-garage costs.

• Tyres
  30% 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.

• Brakes
  21% 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
  21% 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.

• Lights and electrics
  12% 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
  4% of testsRough price £15–£250

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

• Oil and fluid leaks
  2% of testsRough price £80–£600

  At the viewing: Look under the engine and on the ground where the car is usually parked for fresh oil or fluid.

Known faults on the 2013 Mercedes-Benz SLK

Reported by owners, mechanics and buying guides for this model and age. Check which engine the car has, as some apply to one engine only.

• Balancer shaft and timing chain failures (early engines)

  Early SLK 200 and 350

  Early 350 V6s can suffer balancer shaft gear failure, showing as misfires and an engine light before timing chain failure. Early 200s can wear their timing chain and cam sprocket early.

  At the viewing: Listen for rattles from cold, and check for misfires and warning lights.

  Source: What Car?: used Mercedes SLK (2011-2016) reliability

• Folding roof faults

  All engines

  Many owners report problems with the folding hard-top: microswitches stick from lack of use, and the boot divider can jam the roof.

  At the viewing: Open and close the roof several times.

  Source: What Car?: used Mercedes SLK (2011-2016) reliability

• Water reaching the door modules

  All engines

  Seals at the A-pillar and windscreen can let water reach the door control modules, affecting the locking and windows.

  At the viewing: Test the windows and locking, and look for damp.

  Source: What Car?: used Mercedes SLK (2011-2016) reliability

• Suspension bushes, broken springs and exhaust cracks

  All engines

  Thrust arm and anti-roll bushes are weak, broken springs are increasingly common, and the exhaust Y-section cracks.

  At the viewing: Listen over bumps and look underneath.

  Source: What Car?: used Mercedes SLK (2011-2016) reliability

• Rear subframe corrosion (older cars)

  Older cars

  Older cars can rust on the rear subframe, which can fail an MOT.

  At the viewing: Look at the rear subframe.

  Source: What Car?: used Mercedes SLK (2011-2016) reliability

Questions to ask the seller before buying a 2013 Mercedes-Benz SLK

Ask before you travel to see it. A seller who knows the car will have answers, and receipts.

1. Has the timing chain or balancer shaft been replaced?
2. Has the roof had any repairs?
3. Any recent work on the link ball joint covers? (Flagged at MOT 3.7× as often on the 2013 Mercedes-Benz SLK as on other cars the same age.)
4. Any recent work on the wheel bearings? (Flagged at MOT 3.3× as often on the 2013 Mercedes-Benz SLK as on other cars the same age.)
5. Any recent work on the ball joint dust cover? (Flagged at MOT 1.7× as often on the 2013 Mercedes-Benz SLK as on other cars the same age.)
6. Can I see the service history and receipts for any big jobs?