Does the Mercedes-Benz SL fail the MOT on suspension more than it should?
The Mercedes-Benz SL records 8.88 suspension failure items per 100 initial MOT tests (2019–2024), against 22.34 expected for a car of the same age mix: less than expected for its class and age (−13.46, 95% interval −13.74 to −13.19). It ranks 644 of 701 models on suspension (1 = most failures above expected).
Data release dvsa-2024-v2 (24 Sep 2026) · page updated 30 Sep 2026 · all models on suspension · check a Mercedes-Benz SL by registration
What exactly fails on suspension?
The most frequent DVSA defect wording in this group on the Mercedes-Benz SL is “A suspension joint dust cover severely deteriorated”, recorded 2,633 times in 2019–2024.
| DVSA defect wording | Items | Per 100 tests |
|---|---|---|
| A suspension joint dust cover severely deteriorated | 2,633 | 2.38 |
| A suspension pin, bush or joint excessively worn | 2,367 | 2.14 |
| A spring or spring component fractured or seriously weakened | 1,490 | 1.34 |
| A suspension joint dust cover missing or no longer prevents the ingress of dirt etc | 1,345 | 1.21 |
| A shock absorber damaged to the extent that it does not function or showing signs of severe leakage | 513 | 0.46 |
Source: DVSA MOT bulk data (OGL v3.0) · Window: 2019–2024 · n = 110,850 (initial tests) · Method: failure items (major and minor) grouped by DVSA's defect tree; wordings with 30+ items · Updated: 30 Sep 2026 · Release: dvsa-2024-v2 · CSV
If a Mercedes-Benz SL gets a suspension advisory, how often does it fail next time?
12.8% of Mercedes-Benz SL MOTs with a suspension advisory were followed by a fail in the same group at the next MOT, typically 12.1 months and 1,568 miles later (8,723 advisories followed).
Source: DVSA MOT bulk data (OGL v3.0) · Window: 2019–2024 · n = 8,723 (advisories followed) · Method: the same vehicles followed to their next ordinary MOT · Updated: 30 Sep 2026 · Release: dvsa-2024-v2 · CSV
Other pages for this model
Mercedes-Benz SL 1998 · Mercedes-Benz SL 1999 · Mercedes-Benz SL 2000 · Mercedes-Benz SL 2001 · Mercedes-Benz SL 2002 · Mercedes-Benz SL 2003 · Mercedes-Benz SL 2004 · Mercedes-Benz SL 2005 · Mercedes-Benz SL 2006 · Mercedes-Benz SL 2007 · Mercedes-Benz SL 2008 · Mercedes-Benz SL 2009 · Mercedes-Benz SL 2010 · Mercedes-Benz SL 2011 · Mercedes-Benz SL 2012 · Mercedes-Benz SL 2013 · Mercedes-Benz SL 2014 · Mercedes-Benz SL 2015 · Mercedes-Benz SL 2016 · Mercedes-Benz SL 2017 · Mercedes-Benz SL 2018 · Mercedes-Benz SL 2019 · Mercedes-Benz SL 2020 · Mercedes-Benz SL in the Netherlands · Mercedes-Benz SL by postcode area · Mercedes-Benz SL body, chassis and structure failures · Mercedes-Benz SL brakes failures · Mercedes-Benz SL vehicle identification failures · Mercedes-Benz SL lamps, reflectors and electrics failures · Mercedes-Benz SL noise, emissions and leaks failures · Mercedes-Benz SL road wheels failures · Mercedes-Benz SL seat belts and airbags failures · Mercedes-Benz SL steering failures · Mercedes-Benz SL tyres failures · Mercedes-Benz SL visibility failures