Does the Mercedes-Benz SLK fail the MOT on suspension more than it should?
The Mercedes-Benz SLK records 15.71 suspension failure items per 100 initial MOT tests (2019–2024), against 21.91 expected for a car of the same age mix: less than expected for its class and age (−6.20, 95% interval −6.37 to −6.03). It ranks 523 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 SLK by registration
What exactly fails on suspension?
The most frequent DVSA defect wording in this group on the Mercedes-Benz SLK is “A spring or spring component fractured or seriously weakened”, recorded 15,385 times in 2019–2024.
| DVSA defect wording | Items | Per 100 tests |
|---|---|---|
| A spring or spring component fractured or seriously weakened | 15,385 | 5.14 |
| A suspension pin, bush or joint excessively worn | 11,462 | 3.83 |
| A suspension joint dust cover severely deteriorated | 6,597 | 2.21 |
| A suspension joint dust cover missing or no longer prevents the ingress of dirt etc | 5,051 | 1.69 |
| A suspension component excessively damaged or corroded | 2,963 | 0.99 |
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 suspension advisory, how often does it fail next time?
18.1% of Mercedes-Benz SLK MOTs with a suspension advisory were followed by a fail in the same group at the next MOT, typically 12 months and 3,016 miles later (28,695 advisories followed).
Source: DVSA MOT bulk data (OGL v3.0) · Window: 2019–2024 · n = 28,695 (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 steering failures · Mercedes-Benz SLK tyres failures · Mercedes-Benz SLK visibility failures