At a Glance
The Mercedes-benz Slk-class has 6 identified common problems across 3 generations, with the R170 (1996-2004) being the most affected generation and tyres & wheels the most common problem category. Based on 1.0M MOT tests from DVSA data.
Problems are patterns in the DVSA data that occur significantly more often on a specific model than the UK average — confirmed at 99% statistical confidence. Read our DVSA MOT data methodology →
Below: generation-by-generation comparison of Mercedes-benz Slk-class common problems, MOT failure types, and pass-rate data drawn from DVSA records. Click any generation to see fuel- and engine-specific fault patterns, mileage-banded repair guidance, and the most common MOT failures testers record.
MOT Tests & Failures by Generation
Mercedes-benz Slk-class generations by MOT tests, failures, and identified problems from DVSA data
Hover over each bar for a full breakdown. Tap any bar to view that generation's problems.
Showing total MOT tests, failures, and known problems per make. Hover over each bar for a full breakdown.
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Browse Mercedes-benz Slk-class Generations
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Most Common Mercedes-benz Slk-class MOT Failures
Every reason Mercedes-benz Slk-class vehicles fail their MOT, ranked by frequency. Select an individual year to see only that year’s failures, or stay on ‘All time’ for the combined picture across our 20 years of DVSA data. Scroll inside the table for the full list.
| # | Failure | % of failures |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Tyre condition | 10.21% |
| 2 | Tyre tread depth below limit | 9.94% |
| 3 | Coil spring broken or corroded | 8.77% |
| 4 | Suspension joint or bush worn | 6.80% |
| 5 | Stop lamp not working | 5.77% |
| 6 | Wiper blades deteriorated | 5.54% |
| 7 | Windscreen washer not working | 3.05% |
| 8 | Brake hydraulic component worn | 2.93% |
| 9 | Rigid brake pipe corroded or damaged | 2.80% |
| 10 | Brake pads or linings worn | 2.58% |
| 11 | Spark ignition emissions above threshold | 2.56% |
| 12 | Headlamp fault | 2.50% |
| 13 | Brake performance below minimum | 2.49% |
| 14 | Headlamp aim defect | 2.46% |
| 15 | Exhaust system fault | 2.23% |
| 16 | Ball joint dust cover split | 2.07% |
| 17 | Airbag warning light on | 1.74% |
| 18 | Catalytic converter efficiency low | 1.65% |
| 19 | Position lamp not working | 1.63% |
| 20 | Front suspension joint worn | 1.55% |
| 21 | Number plate lamp not working | 1.48% |
| 22 | Front lamp not working | 1.36% |
| 23 | Track rod end worn | 1.32% |
| 24 | Indicator fault | 1.21% |
| 25 | ABS fault | 1.21% |
| 26 | Parking brake performance below minimum | 1.16% |
| 27 | Windscreen damage affecting view | 1.04% |
| 28 | Rear lamp not working | 1.02% |
| 29 | Electronic stability control fault | 0.99% |
| 30 | Subframe corrosion or damage | 0.93% |
| 31 | Brake disc or drum worn | 0.88% |
| 32 | Shock absorber worn or leaking | 0.59% |
| 33 | Fog lamp not working | 0.53% |
| 34 | Battery loose or leaking | 0.44% |
| 35 | Rear fog lamp not working | 0.41% |
| 36 | Front suspension fault | 0.39% |
| 37 | Flexible brake hose damaged | 0.32% |
| 38 | Horn not working | 0.29% |
| 39 | Wheel bearing worn | 0.28% |
| 40 | Tyre size or type not matched | 0.27% |
| 41 | Mirror damaged or missing | 0.25% |
| 42 | Steering rack fault | 0.24% |
| 43 | Parking brake condition | 0.24% |
| 44 | Headlamp levelling device fault | 0.24% |
| 45 | Bonnet catch or hinge fault | 0.23% |
| 46 | Electrical switch fault | 0.20% |
| 47 | Tyre valve stem damaged | 0.18% |
| 48 | Suspension mounting corroded | 0.15% |
| 49 | Compression ignition emissions above threshold | 0.15% |
| 50 | Tyre pressure monitoring system fault | 0.14% |
| 51 | Fuel pipe corroded or damaged | 0.14% |
| 52 | Drag link end worn | 0.11% |
| 53 | Fuel cap damaged or missing | 0.11% |
| 54 | Body corrosion or damage | 0.10% |
| 55 | Propshaft fault | 0.10% |
| 56 | Suspension arm worn or corroded | 0.09% |
| 57 | Chassis condition | 0.09% |
| 58 | Front passenger door fault | 0.08% |
| 59 | Vehicle structure corrosion | 0.08% |
| 60 | Brake lever fault | 0.07% |
| 61 | Brake fluid leak | 0.07% |
| 62 | Suspension linkage fault | 0.07% |
| 63 | Brake fluid level low or contaminated | 0.06% |
| 64 | Dashboard warning lamp fault | 0.06% |
| 65 | Brake caliper fault | 0.06% |
| 66 | Brake pedal fault | 0.05% |
| 67 | Steering arm worn | 0.05% |
| 68 | Bumper damaged or insecure | 0.05% |
| 69 | Driver seat fault | 0.05% |
| 70 | Seat belt condition | 0.05% |
| 71 | Steering damper fault | 0.05% |
| 72 | Driveshaft fault | 0.04% |
| 73 | Handbrake lever fault | 0.04% |
| 74 | Engine oil leak | 0.04% |
| 75 | Steering column fault | 0.04% |
| 76 | Boot lid damaged or insecure | 0.03% |
| 77 | Steering box fault | 0.03% |
| 78 | Electrical wiring fault | 0.03% |
| 79 | Anti-roll bar worn or corroded | 0.03% |
| 80 | Brake pedal movement restricted | 0.03% |
| 81 | Electronic braking system fault | 0.03% |
| 82 | Fuel hose damaged or leaking | 0.03% |
| 83 | Steering free play excessive | 0.03% |
| 84 | Spring mounting corroded | 0.03% |
| 85 | Body strengthening plate corroded | 0.02% |
| 86 | Driver door fault | 0.02% |
| 87 | Transmission oil leak | 0.02% |
| 88 | MacPherson strut worn | 0.02% |
| 89 | Body security fault | 0.02% |
| 90 | Rear suspension fault | 0.02% |
| 91 | Subframe mounting corroded | 0.02% |
| 92 | Power steering ram fault | 0.02% |
| 93 | Main beam warning light fault | 0.02% |
| 94 | Undertray damaged or missing | 0.02% |
| 95 | Dip switch fault | 0.01% |
| 96 | Speedometer fault | 0.01% |
| 97 | Exhaust leak | 0.01% |
| 98 | Rear fog lamp warning light fault | 0.01% |
| 99 | Brake fluid reservoir fault | 0.01% |
| 100 | Power steering pipe or hose leaking | 0.01% |
| 101 | Tie bar or rod worn or corroded | 0.01% |
| 102 | Driver airbag fault | 0.01% |
| 103 | Electric power steering fault | 0.01% |
| 104 | Rear reflector damaged or missing | <0.01% |
| 105 | Steering lock fault | <0.01% |
| 106 | Brake fluid warning light on | <0.01% |
| 107 | Steering wheel damaged or insecure | <0.01% |
| 108 | Steering operation fault | <0.01% |
| 109 | Brake air or vacuum system fault | <0.01% |
| 110 | Headlamp washer not working | <0.01% |
| 111 | Power steering pump fault | <0.01% |
| 112 | Brake cable, rod, lever or linkage fault | <0.01% |
| 113 | Access panel damaged or insecure | <0.01% |
| 114 | Vehicle floor corroded | <0.01% |
| 115 | Fuel tank corroded or leaking | <0.01% |
| 116 | Passenger airbag fault | <0.01% |
| 117 | Trailing arm worn or corroded | <0.01% |
| 118 | Brake back plate corroded or damaged | <0.01% |
| 119 | Reversing lamp not working | <0.01% |
| 120 | Bonded suspension condition | <0.01% |
| 121 | Window damaged or won't operate | <0.01% |
| 122 | King pin or swivel pin worn | <0.01% |
| 123 | Engine mounting worn or broken | <0.01% |
| 124 | Steering drive system fault | <0.01% |
| 125 | Suspension rod worn or corroded | <0.01% |
| 126 | Mirror or camera fault | <0.01% |
| 127 | Torsion bar worn or corroded | <0.01% |
| 128 | Torque or reaction arm worn | <0.01% |
| 129 | Electronic parking brake fault | <0.01% |
| 130 | Front fog lamp not working | <0.01% |
| 131 | Hydraulic brake cylinder fault | <0.01% |
| 132 | Steering intermediate drop arm worn | <0.01% |
| 133 | Brake master cylinder fault | <0.01% |
| 134 | Brake servo fault | <0.01% |
| 135 | Exhaust emissions above threshold (non-catalyst) | <0.01% |
| 136 | Semaphore indicator fault | <0.01% |
| 137 | Suspension retaining or locking device fault | <0.01% |
| 138 | Tailgate damaged or insecure | <0.01% |
| 139 | Radius arm worn or corroded | <0.01% |
| 140 | Steering lock stop fault | <0.01% |
| 141 | Suspension unit fault | <0.01% |
| 142 | Hazard warning light fault | <0.01% |
| 143 | Hydraulic fluid leak | <0.01% |
| 144 | Passenger seat fault | <0.01% |
| 145 | Additional braking device fault | <0.01% |
| 146 | Indicator warning light fault | <0.01% |
| 147 | Suspension linkage attachment bracket or mounting corroded | <0.01% |
| 148 | Handbrake cable fault | <0.01% |
| 149 | Steering shaft fault | <0.01% |
| 150 | Brake valve fault | <0.01% |
| 151 | Exhaust heat shield or sound insulation damaged | <0.01% |
| 152 | Axle corroded or damaged | <0.01% |
| 153 | Full power hydraulic brake fault | <0.01% |
| 154 | Outline marker lamp not working | <0.01% |
| 155 | Universal joint worn | <0.01% |
| 156 | Loading door damaged or insecure | <0.01% |
| 157 | Transmission drive belt fault | <0.01% |
| 158 | Towbar fault | <0.01% |
| 159 | Brake master cylinder or servo mounting fault | <0.01% |
| 160 | Brake pedal linkage fault | <0.01% |
| 161 | Hand-operated brake valve condition | <0.01% |
| 162 | Panhard rod worn or corroded | <0.01% |
| 163 | Seat belt or padding damaged | <0.01% |
| 164 | Stub axle worn | <0.01% |
| 165 | Wheel hub fault | <0.01% |
| 166 | Daytime running lamp not working | <0.01% |
| 167 | Halfshaft fault | <0.01% |
| 168 | Handbrake mechanism or mounting fault | <0.01% |
| 169 | Hydraulic suspension accumulator fault | <0.01% |
| 170 | Passenger compartment corrosion | <0.01% |
| 171 | Seat belt anchorage fault | <0.01% |
| 172 | Spare wheel fault | <0.01% |
| 173 | Steering coupling worn | <0.01% |
| 174 | Axle beam corroded or cracked | <0.01% |
| 175 | Brake linkage mounting fault | <0.01% |
| 176 | Brake pressure or vacuum buildup insufficient | <0.01% |
| 177 | Brake stationary pin worn | <0.01% |
| 178 | Brake wheel cylinder fault | <0.01% |
| 179 | Handbrake fails on gradient | <0.01% |
| 180 | Load sensing valve fault | <0.01% |
| 181 | Reversing lamp switch fault | <0.01% |
| 182 | Seat belt pre-tensioner fault | <0.01% |
Showing all 182 reasons — scroll inside the table for the full list.
Mercedes-benz Slk-class MOT Failures by Category
Total MOT failure occurrences for the Mercedes-benz Slk-class, grouped by category. Same data as the failures table above — just sliced by category instead of fault title. Hover a slice for the top failures in each category.
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Frequently Asked Questions
What are the most common Mercedes-benz Slk-class problems?
Based on analysis of 1.0M Mercedes-benz Slk-class MOT tests from DVSA data, we have 6 identified common problems across 3 generations. The most frequently flagged issue is "Indicator fault". Tyres & Wheels is the most common problem category.
Which Mercedes-benz Slk-class generation has the most problems?
The Mercedes-benz Slk-class R170 (1996-2004) (1996–2004) has the highest number of identified common problems (7). Click the generation card above for the full breakdown.
How is this data calculated?
We analyse anonymised DVSA MOT test records under the Open Government Licence. An issue is classified as a "Common Problem" when it occurs significantly more often on a specific model than the UK average, confirmed at 99% statistical confidence. Read the full methodology page for details.
Can I report a problem with my Mercedes-benz Slk-class?
Yes — use the "Tell Us About Your Problem" form on this page. Your report helps other Mercedes-benz Slk-class owners spot problems early. All submissions are reviewed before being added to the public database.
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