Does the Mercedes-Benz SLK fail the MOT on steering more than it should?
The Mercedes-Benz SLK records 1.53 steering failure items per 100 initial MOT tests (2019–2024), against 4.32 expected for a car of the same age mix: less than expected for its class and age (−2.79, 95% interval −2.86 to −2.71). It ranks 531 of 640 models on steering (1 = most failures above expected).
Data release dvsa-2024-v2 (24 Sep 2026) · page updated 30 Sep 2026 · all models on steering · check a Mercedes-Benz SLK by registration
What exactly fails on steering?
The most frequent DVSA defect wording in this group on the Mercedes-Benz SLK is “Steering rack gaiter or ball joint dust cover damaged or deteriorated”, recorded 1,788 times in 2019–2024.
| DVSA defect wording | Items | Per 100 tests |
|---|---|---|
| Steering rack gaiter or ball joint dust cover damaged or deteriorated | 1,788 | 0.60 |
| Steering rack gaiter or ball joint dust cover missing or no longer prevents the ingress of dirt etc | 1,342 | 0.45 |
| A steering ball joint with excessive wear or free play | 1,067 | 0.36 |
| Power steering fluid leaking or system malfunctioning | 86 | 0.03 |
| Free play in the steering, measured at the rim of the steering wheel is excessive | 56 | 0.02 |
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 steering advisory, how often does it fail next time?
7.4% of Mercedes-Benz SLK MOTs with a steering advisory were followed by a fail in the same group at the next MOT, typically 12.1 months and 2,408 miles later (2,611 advisories followed).
Source: DVSA MOT bulk data (OGL v3.0) · Window: 2019–2024 · n = 2,611 (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 noise, emissions and leaks failures · Mercedes-Benz SLK road wheels failures · Mercedes-Benz SLK seat belts and airbags failures · Mercedes-Benz SLK suspension failures · Mercedes-Benz SLK tyres failures · Mercedes-Benz SLK visibility failures