Does the Mercedes-Benz SLC fail the MOT on suspension more than it should?
The Mercedes-Benz SLC records 2.58 suspension failure items per 100 initial MOT tests (2019–2024), against 3.11 expected for a car of the same age mix: less than expected for its class and age (−0.53, 95% interval −0.69 to −0.36). It ranks 288 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 SLC by registration
What exactly fails on suspension?
The most frequent DVSA defect wording in this group on the Mercedes-Benz SLC is “A suspension joint dust cover severely deteriorated”, recorded 306 times in 2019–2024.
| DVSA defect wording | Items | Per 100 tests |
|---|---|---|
| A suspension joint dust cover severely deteriorated | 306 | 0.72 |
| A spring or spring component fractured or seriously weakened | 281 | 0.66 |
| A suspension pin, bush or joint excessively worn | 227 | 0.53 |
| A suspension joint dust cover missing or no longer prevents the ingress of dirt etc | 208 | 0.49 |
| A shock absorber damaged to the extent that it does not function or showing signs of severe leakage | 30 | 0.07 |
Source: DVSA MOT bulk data (OGL v3.0) · Window: 2019–2024 · n = 42,512 (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 SLC gets a suspension advisory, how often does it fail next time?
6.3% of Mercedes-Benz SLC MOTs with a suspension advisory were followed by a fail in the same group at the next MOT, typically 12 months and 7,996 miles later (665 advisories followed).
Source: DVSA MOT bulk data (OGL v3.0) · Window: 2019–2024 · n = 665 (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 SLC 2016 · Mercedes-Benz SLC 2017 · Mercedes-Benz SLC 2018 · Mercedes-Benz SLC 2019 · Mercedes-Benz SLC 2020 · Mercedes-Benz SLC by postcode area · Mercedes-Benz SLC brakes failures · Mercedes-Benz SLC vehicle identification failures · Mercedes-Benz SLC lamps, reflectors and electrics failures · Mercedes-Benz SLC noise, emissions and leaks failures · Mercedes-Benz SLC road wheels failures · Mercedes-Benz SLC steering failures · Mercedes-Benz SLC tyres failures · Mercedes-Benz SLC visibility failures