Does the Mercedes-Benz SLK fail the MOT on noise, emissions and leaks more than it should?
The Mercedes-Benz SLK records 2.63 noise, emissions and leaks failure items per 100 initial MOT tests (2019–2024), against 5.97 expected for a car of the same age mix: less than expected for its class and age (−3.34, 95% interval −3.42 to −3.25). It ranks 625 of 678 models on noise, emissions and leaks (1 = most failures above expected).
Data release dvsa-2024-v2 (24 Sep 2026) · page updated 30 Sep 2026 · all models on noise, emissions and leaks · check a Mercedes-Benz SLK by registration
What exactly fails on noise, emissions and leaks?
The most frequent DVSA defect wording in this group on the Mercedes-Benz SLK is “Engine MIL illuminated indicating a malfunction”, recorded 3,315 times in 2019–2024.
| DVSA defect wording | Items | Per 100 tests |
|---|---|---|
| Engine MIL illuminated indicating a malfunction | 3,315 | 1.11 |
| Lambda coefficient outside the default limits or the range specified by the manufacturer | 1,389 | 0.46 |
| Emissions levels exceed default limits | 1,215 | 0.41 |
| Emissions levels exceed the manufacturer's specified limits | 880 | 0.29 |
| Emissions test unable to be completed | 501 | 0.17 |
Source: DVSA MOT bulk data (OGL v3.0) · Window: 2019–2024 · n = 299,040 (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 SLK gets a noise, emissions and leaks advisory, how often does it fail next time?
4.8% of Mercedes-Benz SLK MOTs with a noise, emissions and leaks advisory were followed by a fail in the same group at the next MOT, typically 12.1 months and 2,904 miles later (7,839 advisories followed).
Source: DVSA MOT bulk data (OGL v3.0) · Window: 2019–2024 · n = 7,839 (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 SLK 1999 · Mercedes-Benz SLK 2000 · Mercedes-Benz SLK 2001 · Mercedes-Benz SLK 2002 · Mercedes-Benz SLK 2003 · Mercedes-Benz SLK 2004 · Mercedes-Benz SLK 2005 · Mercedes-Benz SLK 2006 · Mercedes-Benz SLK 2007 · Mercedes-Benz SLK 2008 · Mercedes-Benz SLK 2009 · Mercedes-Benz SLK 2010 · Mercedes-Benz SLK 2011 · Mercedes-Benz SLK 2012 · Mercedes-Benz SLK 2013 · Mercedes-Benz SLK 2014 · Mercedes-Benz SLK 2015 · Mercedes-Benz SLK 2016 · Mercedes-Benz SLK in Norway · Mercedes-Benz SLK in Finland · Mercedes-Benz SLK in the Netherlands · Mercedes-Benz SLK by postcode area · Mercedes-Benz SLK body, chassis and structure failures · Mercedes-Benz SLK brakes failures · Mercedes-Benz SLK vehicle identification failures · Mercedes-Benz SLK lamps, reflectors and electrics failures · Mercedes-Benz SLK road wheels failures · Mercedes-Benz SLK seat belts and airbags failures · Mercedes-Benz SLK steering failures · Mercedes-Benz SLK suspension failures · Mercedes-Benz SLK tyres failures · Mercedes-Benz SLK visibility failures