2008 Mercedes-Benz Sl — MOT failures & pass rate
Across 4,453 MOT tests analysed for the 2008 Mercedes-Benz Sl, the most common recorded failure areas were suspension, tyres and lighting & signalling. Its pass rate of 86.4% was above the average for cars of a similar age (75.1%). Higher-mileage examples failed more often — 19.2% in the 120-150k group versus 7.5% in the 0-30k group.
How it compares
Top failure categories
| # | Category | % of tests affected | Tests |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Suspension | 5.4% | 241 |
| 2 | Tyres | 4.6% | 203 |
| 3 | Lighting & signalling | 3.5% | 156 |
| 4 | Brakes | 3.4% | 149 |
| 5 | Visibility | 1.7% | 77 |
| 6 | Emissions & environmental | 1.0% | 44 |
Most common specific failures
The exact components most often recorded as failures — more specific than the categories above.
| # | Failure item | Times recorded |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Coil spring | 119 |
| 2 | Ball joint | 98 |
| 3 | Headlamp aim | 65 |
| 4 | Rigid brake pipes | 65 |
| 5 | Wipers | 52 |
| 6 | Tread depth | 47 |
Top advisory categories
Advisories aren't failures, but they flag work likely needed soon — useful when budgeting.
| # | Category | % of tests with advisory | Tests |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Brakes | 22.8% | 1,014 |
| 2 | Tyres | 17.7% | 788 |
| 3 | Suspension | 12.8% | 572 |
| 4 | Other defects | 4.2% | 187 |
| 5 | Lighting & signalling | 4.2% | 186 |
| 6 | Visibility | 3.3% | 147 |
Failure rate by mileage
Higher-mileage cars tend to fail more — often the most useful guide to real condition.
| Mileage band | Tests | Fail rate |
|---|---|---|
| 0-30k | 453 | 7.5% |
| 30-60k | 1,736 | 11.6% |
| 60-90k | 1,500 | 15.3% |
| 90-120k | 621 | 18.4% |
| 120-150k | 125 | 19.2% |
Failure rate by age
Trend over time
| Dataset year | Tests | Fail rate |
|---|---|---|
| 2021 | 957 | 14.4% |
| 2022 | 917 | 13.4% |
| 2023 | 889 | 13.6% |
| 2024 | 859 | 13.5% |
| 2025 | 831 | 12.9% |
What to check before buying a 2008 Sl
Before buying a 2008 Mercedes-Benz Sl, focus on the areas it most often fails on. Suspension accounted for 5.4% of tests for this year.
- Suspension (5.4% of tests): Worn drop links, bushes, springs or shocks — listen for knocks over bumps and check for uneven tyre wear. Typical repair: £150–£450 per corner.
- Tyres (4.6% of tests): Usually a quick, known-cost fix, but check tread, age and uneven wear (which can hint at alignment or suspension issues). Typical repair: £50–£120 per tyre.
- Lighting & signalling (3.5% of tests): Often a cheap bulb, but persistent issues can mean wiring or corrosion in the units. Typical repair: £10–£150.
Repair costs are rough UK ballpark ranges to set expectations, not quotes — actual prices vary widely by car, parts and garage.
Frequently asked questions
How many 2008 Mercedes-Benz Sls pass their MOT?
86.4% of the 4,453 2008 Mercedes-Benz Sl MOT tests in this dataset passed — a 13.6% fail rate.
What is the most common MOT failure on a 2008 Mercedes-Benz Sl?
Suspension, recorded in 5.4% of tests, followed by tyres (4.6%).
Does the 2008 Sl get worse with mileage?
Its MOT fail rate rises from 7.5% in the 0-30k band to 19.2% in the 120-150k band.
Methodology & source. Based on 4,453 MOT tests. Dataset: DVSA MOT testing data (2021,2022,2023,2024,2025). Data last updated 2026-07-01. Figures reflect MOT-testable defects only — read the methodology for how these are calculated and what they don't measure.