Mercedes-Benz Sls
From 514 MOT tests. Above average for its class.
Common MOT failure categories
Pass rate by registration year
What goes wrong?
The most common MOT failure reasons are number plate does not conform to the specified requirements, the aim of a headlamp is not within limits laid down in the requirements and a tyre cords visible or damaged. The top issue, number plate does not conform to the specified requirements, caused 5 failures in 2024. Checking tread depth (1.6mm legal minimum, 3mm recommended) before your test can save an unnecessary fail. You can check prices at Black Circles if you need replacements. If you need repairs before retesting, sites like BookMyGarage let you compare local prices.
| number plate does not conform to the specified requirements | 5 |
| the aim of a headlamp is not within limits laid down in the requirements | 5 |
| a tyre cords visible or damaged | 4 |
| engine mil illuminated indicating a malfunction | 3 |
| number plate missing or so insecure that it is likely to fall off | 2 |
| parking brake inoperative on one side | 2 |
| a tyre seriously damaged | 1 |
| service brake efficiency less than 50% of the required value | 1 |
| parking brake efficiency below minimum requirement | 1 |
| windscreen washers not working or not providing sufficient fluid to clear the windscreen | 1 |
Mercedes-Benz Sls on UK roads
The fleet is shrinking: 10 scrapped or exported in the past year with only 4 newly registered, a net loss of 6.
Quarterly breakdown
| Quarter | On road | SORN | New | Gone | Net |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2025 Q3 | 240 | 157 | +0 | -0 | +0 |
| 2025 Q2 | 256 | 141 | +0 | -0 | +4 |
| 2025 Q1 | 219 | 174 | +3 | -0 | +4 |
| 2024 Q4 | 197 | 192 | +1 | -10 | -9 |
| 2024 Q3 | 240 | 158 | +1 | -0 | +12 |
| 2024 Q2 | 244 | 142 | +1 | -0 | +3 |
| 2024 Q1 | 217 | 166 | +0 | -7 | -7 |
| 2023 Q4 | 217 | 173 | +0 | -5 | -5 |
2 variants on the road
| Variant | Fuel | Licensed | Share |
|---|---|---|---|
| Sls 63 Amg Auto | Petrol | 170 | 77% |
| Sls 63 Amg Roadster Auto | Petrol | 51 | 23% |
Source: DfT vehicle licensing statistics, 2025 Q3. Crown copyright, OGL v3.0.
By registration year
| Year | Pass rate | Top failures |
|---|---|---|
| 2011 | 94.3% | the aim of a headlamp is not within limits laid down in the requirements, parking brake inoperative on one side |
| 2010 | 94.1% | number plate does not conform to the specified requirements, a tyre cords visible or damaged |
Typical mileage
Half of all Slss tested had between 11,398 and 21,652 miles on the clock. Relatively low mileage overall. Many are still fairly young.
At 18,629 median miles, the Sls has 0.027 failures per 10,000 miles driven.
Other Mercedes-Benz models
Common questions
What is the Mercedes-Benz Sls MOT pass rate?
The Mercedes-Benz Sls has a 94.9% MOT pass rate based on 514 real MOT tests. This is above the national average.
What are common MOT failures on a Mercedes-Benz Sls?
The most common MOT failure on the Mercedes-Benz Sls is number plate does not conform to the specified requirements, which caused 5 failures. Other common issues include the aim of a headlamp is not within limits laid down in the requirements.
How many Mercedes-Benz Slss are on UK roads?
There are 240 Mercedes-Benz Slss currently licensed on UK roads, with 157 on SORN.
What is the typical mileage of a Mercedes-Benz Sls at MOT?
The median mileage at MOT for a Mercedes-Benz Sls is 18,629 miles. The middle 50% of vehicles tested have between 11,398 and 21,652 miles.
Buying a used Sls?
Start with the free tools. Look up the specific vehicle's MOT history on GOV.UK The mileage at each test will show if it's been wound back, and the advisory history tells you what's wearing. Cross-reference that against the typical failures above to see if anything looks unusual for this model.
The free data won't tell you about outstanding finance, theft markers, or write-off history. For that, you need a vehicle history check This is especially important on a private sale where you have fewer legal protections.
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MOT data from DVSA anonymised test results, 2024 test year. Fleet data from DfT vehicle licensing statistics. Crown copyright, OGL v3.0. MOT pass rates are statistical summaries of test outcomes, not assessments of individual vehicle safety or condition. Always inspect a vehicle and check its full MOT history before purchasing. See terms of use.