At a Glance
The Mercedes-benz Slk-class R170 has 5 identified problems that occur more often than the UK average, with Indicator fault being the most reported. Electrical is the most common MOT failure category. The most serious issue flagged is Fuel pipe corroded or damaged, rated as dangerous. Based on 395K MOT tests from DVSA data.
Problems are patterns in the DVSA data that occur significantly more often on this model than the UK average — confirmed at 99% statistical confidence. Read how we calculate MOT pass rates and problems →
Below: the full MOT-data picture for the Mercedes-benz Slk-class R170 — MOT pass rate vs the UK average, common problems vs UK fleet patterns, the most likely MOT failures by frequency, fault occurrence by mileage band, and pass/fail trends. All numbers drawn from DVSA records.
Mercedes-benz Slk-class R170 MOT Pass Rate
Across 395K MOT tests from DVSA data, the Mercedes-benz Slk-class R170 (1996–2004) has a fail rate of 28.3%.
All-time UK average fail rate: 34.9%
Common Mercedes-benz Slk-class R170 Problems
Owner-submitted reports plus patterns we've identified across 559 million UK MOT tests. Each MOT-derived item below — whether tagged as a Problem, Wear & Tear or Consumable — shows up noticeably more often on this generation than across the UK fleet, which is why it's here. Owner reports are pinned to the top by default; use the sort and filter pills below to view a specific tier or change the order.
Indicator fault
5,222
occurrences
Steering damper fault
1,850
occurrences
Driver seat fault
245
occurrences
Brake pedal fault
92
occurrences
Fuel pipe corroded or damaged
38
occurrences
Tell Us About Your Problem
Help other Mercedes-benz Slk-class R170 owners — report a problem and we'll add it to the database
Tell Us About Your Problem
Help other Mercedes-benz Slk-class R170 owners — report a problem and we'll add it to the database
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Problems by mileage
Common problems, MOT failures and advisories on the Mercedes-benz Slk-class R170, grouped by the mileage they typically appear at.
674 distinct problems · 586,999 total occurrences in current filter
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Advisory items are MOT tester observations. Frequency can be influenced by driving style and usage patterns.
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Other Mercedes-benz Slk-class Generations
Frequently Asked Questions
What are the most common Mercedes-benz Slk-class R170 problems?
Based on DVSA MOT data for the Mercedes-benz Slk-class R170 (1996–2004), we have identified 5 common problems. The most frequently reported is "Indicator fault". Electrical is the most common MOT failure category.
How reliable is the Mercedes-benz Slk-class R170?
This generation has 395K MOT tests on record with a 28.3% fail rate. A fault is flagged as a "Common Problem" only when it occurs significantly more often on this model than the UK average, confirmed at 99% statistical confidence.
What commonly fails the MOT on a Mercedes-benz Slk-class R170?
There are 186 distinct MOT failure types recorded for the R170 (1996–2004), grouped by the mileage these failures typically occur. See the Common MOT Failures section on this page.
Can I report a problem with my Mercedes-benz Slk-class R170?
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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