>
main menu
Use Web App here >

MOT History from tests of petrol MERCEDES BENZ 350SLs year 1971

Review the list of common MERCEDES BENZ 350SL failures below or to perform a specific mot history check on your MERCEDES BENZ then use our popular KnowYourCar service

mot history
Pass percent:73.02%
(The average a petrol MERCEDES BENZ 350SL year 1971 passes without issue)
Based on:430 MOT Tests
Most common failuresNo# failures
Headlamp aim out of alignment28
Registration plate lamp issues10
Rear brake binding10
Windscreen wiper does not clear the windscreen effectively9
Brakes imbalanced across an axle8
Registration plate issues6
Hazard warning lamps inoperative |1.4.B.1b|6
Hazard warning switch faulty |1.4.B.1d|6
Nearside Rear Suspension component mounting prescribed area is excessively corroded |2.4.A.3|5
Service brake: efficiency below requirements |3.7.B.7|5
Direction indicators not working |1.4.A.2c|5
Battery insecure |1.9.1|5
Parking brake: efficiency below requirements |3.7.B.7|5
Offside Rear position lamp|s| not working |1.1.A.3b|5
Windscreen washer not working 4
Offside Rear Suspension component mounting prescribed area is excessively corroded |2.4.A.3|4
Offside Headlamp not working on dipped beam |1.7.5a|4
Rear Exhaust has a major leak of exhaust gases |7.1.2|4
Nearside Rear brake caliper has restricted free movement |3.5.1k|3
Nearside Headlamp not working on main beam |1.7.5a|3
Nearside Inner Rear Suspension component mounting prescribed area is excessively corroded |2.4.A.3|3
Offside Rear Direction indicator not working |1.4.A.2c|3
Exhaust has a major leak of exhaust gases |7.1.2|3
Nearside front brake binding |3.7.B.1|3
Offside Front Braking system leaking |3.6.A.1|3
Offside Front Seat belt retracting mechanism defective |5.2.5b|3
Nearside Front position lamp|s| not working |1.1.A.3b|3
Nearside Rear position lamp|s| not working |1.1.A.3b|3
Nearside Headlamp not working on dipped beam |1.7.5a|3
Indicator switch faulty |1.4.A.1|3
Suspension component mounting prescribed area is excessively corroded |2.4.A.3|3
Offside Front position lamp|s| not working |1.1.A.3b|3
Centre Exhaust system not adequately supported |7.1.1|3
Nearside Rear Subframe mounting prescribed area is excessively corroded |2.4.A.3|3
Fuel hose leaking |7.2.3|3
Offside Headlamp not working on main beam |1.7.5a|3
Brake pipe excessively corroded3
Offside Rear Subframe mounting prescribed area is excessively corroded |2.4.A.3|2
Nearside Front brake caliper has restricted free movement |3.5.1k|2
Offside Inner Rear Suspension component mounting prescribed area is excessively corroded |2.4.A.3|2
Nearside Rear Brake pipe inadequately supported |3.6.B.1|2
Anti-lock braking system warning lamp indicates an ABS fault2
Exhaust engine idle speed too high |7.3.A.2a|2
Nearside Stop lamp not working |1.2.1b|2
Hazard warning lamps not flashing in phase, with ignition on |1.4.B.1f|2
Centre Exhaust has a major leak of exhaust gases |7.1.2|2
Nearside Front Suspension component mounting prescribed area is excessively corroded |2.4.A.3|2
Horn not working |1.6.2a|2
Nearside Front front brake binding |3.7.B.1|2
Nearside Front Front wheel bearing rough when rotated |2.5.A.2|2
Nearside Seat belt anchorage prescribed area is excessively corroded |5.2.6|2
Offside Rear Suspension spring mounting prescribed area is excessively corroded |2.4.A.3|2
Exhaust system not adequately supported |7.1.1|2
Nearside Front Headlamp not working on dipped beam |1.7.5a|2
Offside Front Headlamp not working on main beam |1.7.5a|2
Offside Front Brake hose bulging under pressure |3.6.B.3|2
Offside Front Direction indicator not working |1.4.A.2c|2
Centre Exhaust mounting missing |7.1.1b|2
Windscreen wiper blade insecure2
Offside Front Body or chassis has an unsatisfactory modification, seriously affecting its strength within 30cm of the body mountings |6.1.B.2|2
Offside Front Suspension component mounting prescribed area is excessively corroded |2.4.A.3|2
Offside Rear position lamp|s| adversely affected by the operation of another lamp |1.1.A.3f|2
Offside Front Steering component mounting prescribed area is excessively corroded |2.2.C.1h|2
Nearside Front Steering component mounting prescribed area is excessively corroded |2.2.C.1h|2
Offside Headlamp aim beam image obviously incorrect |1.8.A.1b|2
Rear Exhaust mounting missing |7.1.1b|2
Front Exhaust has a major leak of exhaust gases |7.1.2|2
Nearside Windscreen wiper blade deteriorated |8.2.2|2
Offside Windscreen wiper blade deteriorated |8.2.2|2
Nearside Outer Front Track rod end ball joint dust cover excessively deteriorated so that it no longer prevents the ingress of dirt |2.2.C.1c|1
Offside Outer Front Track rod end ball joint dust cover excessively deteriorated so that it no longer prevents the ingress of dirt |2.2.C.1c|1
Offside Inner Front Track rod end ball joint dust cover excessively deteriorated so that it no longer prevents the ingress of dirt |2.2.C.1c|1
Nearside Front Lower Suspension arm ball joint dust cover excessively deteriorated so that it no longer prevents the ingress of dirt |2.4.G.2|1
Offside Front Upper Suspension arm ball joint dust cover excessively deteriorated so that it no longer prevents the ingress of dirt |2.4.G.2|1
Oil leaking excessively from engine |8.4.1 |a| |i||1
Exhaust emissions - engine idle speed too high |8.2.1.2 |e||1
Service brake efficiency below requirements |1.2.2 |a| |i||1
Offside Stop lamp missing |1.2.1a|1
Offside front brake binding |3.7.B.1|1
Exhaust has part of the system excessively deteriorated |7.1.1a|1
Nearside Front Seat belt retracting mechanism defective |5.2.5b|1
Nearside Headlamp not working on dipped beam |4.1.1 |a| |ii||1
Offside Headlamp not working on main beam |4.1.1 |a| |ii||1
Offside Stop lamp|s| not working |4.3.1 |a| |ii||1
Windscreen wiper not working |3.4 |a||1
Rear Service brake excessively binding both rear wheels |1.2.1 |f||1
Nearside Rear position lamp|s| excessively deteriorated so that it is not visible from a reasonable distance |1.1.A.3d|1
Driver`s seat cannot be secured in the upright position. |6.2.A.2|1
Offside Obligatory mirror insecure |8.1.1|1
Nearside Front brake caliper securing device missing |3.5.1j|1
Front brake application uneven1
Nearside Front Service brake excessively binding (1.2.1 (f))1
Offside Front Service brake excessively binding (1.2.1 (f))1
Rear position lamp|s| not working |1.1.A.3b|1
Offside Front Vehicle structure has excessive corrosion, seriously affecting its strength within 30cm of the body mountings |6.1.B.2|1
Nearside Front Vehicle structure has excessive corrosion, seriously affecting its strength within 30cm of the body mountings |6.1.B.2|1
Offside Rear Vehicle structure has excessive corrosion, seriously affecting its strength within 30cm of the body mountings |6.1.B.2|1
Nearside Front brake disc has restricted free movement |3.5.1j|1
Nearside Rear Seat belt anchorage prescribed area is excessively corroded |5.2.6|1
Emissions not tested |7.0|1
Parking brake efficiency below requirements (1.4.2 (a) (i))1
Rear brake disc in such a condition that it is seriously weakened1
Nearside Rear Suspension component mounting prescribed area excessively damaged significantly reducing structural strength (5.3.6 (a) (i))1
Offside Rear Suspension component mounting prescribed area excessively damaged significantly reducing structural strength (5.3.6 (a) (i))1
Exhaust silencer insecure (8.1.1 (b) (i))1
Battery insecure and likely to fall from carrier (4.13 (a) (ii))1
Fuel cap/sealing device ineffective (6.1.3 (b) (i))1
Nearside Steering damper deformed and unserviceable |2.2.C.1d|1
Offside Track rod end ball joint has excessive play |2.2.B.1f|1
Nearside Front Seat belt anchorage prescribed area is excessively corroded |5.2.6|1
Nearside Rear Suspension spring mounting prescribed area is excessively corroded |2.4.A.3|1
Suspension spring mounting prescribed area is excessively corroded |2.4.A.3|1
Vehicle structure excessively corroded within 30cm of towbar mounting |6.6.6|1
Nearside Rear Vehicle structure has excessive corrosion, seriously affecting its strength within 30cm of the body mountings |6.1.B.2|1
Rear Vehicle structure has excessive corrosion, seriously affecting its strength within 30cm of the body mountings |6.1.B.2|1
Fuel system component insecure |7.2.1|1
Rear Exhaust system not adequately supported |7.1.1|1
Nearside Front Suspension spring mounting prescribed area is excessively corroded |2.4.A.3|1
Rear Stop lamp not working |1.2.1b|1
Nearside Front Outer Track rod end ball joint dust cover excessively deteriorated so that it no longer prevents the ingress of dirt |2.2.C.1c|1
Rear brake application uneven1
Rear Subframe mounting prescribed area is excessively corroded |2.4.A.3|1
Nearside Front Sub-frame rubber bush deteriorated resulting in excessive movement |2.4.G.2|1
Offside Front Sub-frame rubber bush deteriorated resulting in excessive movement |2.4.G.2|1
Nearside Seat belt anchorage prescribed area is excessively corroded Sill |5.2.6|1
Nearside Front Subframe mounting prescribed area is excessively corroded Floor |2.4.A.3|1
Nearside Rear Subframe mounting prescribed area is excessively corroded Lower Inner wheel arch |2.4.A.3|1
Nearside Front Subframe mounting prescribed area is excessively corroded Inner wheel arch |2.4.A.3|1
Offside Front Subframe mounting prescribed area is excessively corroded Inner wheel arch |2.4.A.3|1
Nearside Front Direction indicator incomplete |1.5.A1b|1
Offside Front Body has a sharp edge caused by corrosion |6.1.C.1|1
Nearside Rear Body has a projection caused by damage |6.1.C.1|1
Offside Inner Front Suspension component mounting prescribed area is excessively corroded |2.4.A.3|1
Offside Rear Suspension component mounting prescribed area is excessively corroded Floor to sill |2.4.A.3|1
Parking brake lever ratchet mechanism is broken |3.1.5|1
Nearside Front Headlamp not working on main beam |1.7.5a|1
Offside Rear Stop lamp not working |1.2.1b|1
Offside Front Vehicle structure has a fracture which adversely affects braking or steering |6.1.A.1|1
Nearside Front Shock absorber insecure |2.7.2b|1
Nearside Rear Exhaust has a major leak of exhaust gases |7.1.2|1
Offside Front suspension has excessive play in a upper suspension ball joint |2.5.B.1a|1
Nearside front brake recording little or no effort |3.7.B.5a|1
Nearside Front brake caliper leaking |3.6.A.1|1
Nearside Front Suspension component mounting prescribed area is excessively corroded inner wing/ roll bar mounting area |2.4.A.3|1
Nearside Front Body or chassis has excessive corrosion, seriously affecting its strength within 30cm of the body mountings |6.1.B.2|1
Nearside Rear Body or chassis has excessive corrosion, seriously affecting its strength within 30cm of the body mountings |6.1.B.2|1
Exhaust emits clearly visible black smoke during acceleration |7.3.A.2c|1
Nearside Front Seat belt locking mechanism does not secure or release |5.2.5a|1
Offside Rear Integral body structure is fractured and structural rigidity is significantly reduced |6.1.1 |a| |i||1
Nearside Inner Track rod end ball joint has excessive play |2.2.B.1f|1
Fuel pipe leaking engine compartment |7.2.3|1
Driver`s door cannot be opened from outside the vehicle |6.2.B.1b|1
Offside Front Seat belt anchorage prescribed area is excessively corroded |5.2.6|1
Steering damper fractured and unserviceable |2.2.C.1d|1
Nearside Headlamp aim beam image obviously incorrect |1.8.A.1b|1
Rear parking brake recording little or no effort1
Offside Headlamp not working on dipped beam |4.1.1 |a| |ii||1
Rear fog lamp switch faulty knob comes off when switch operated |1.3.1a|1
Nearside Front Direction indicator not working |1.4.A.2c|1
Nearside Rear Direction indicator not working |1.4.A.2c|1
Steering box insecure |2.2.B.1a|1
Rear Fuel system component insecure pump & filter |7.2.1|1
Central Exhaust system not adequately supported mountings missing |7.1.1|1
Nearside Rear Brake hose inappropriately repaired flexi hose insecure |3.6.A.3|1
Offside Rear Brake hose inappropriately repaired flexi hose insecure |3.6.A.3|1
Offside Front Seat belt retracting mechanism defective |7.1.2 |e||1
Offside Front Seat belt not functioning as intended |7.1.2 |c||1
Offside Front Brake hose bulging under pressure |1.1.12 |d||1
Exhaust system insecure |6.1.2 |a||1
Offside Front Track rod end ball joint has excessive play |2.2.B.1f|1
Nearside Rear brake disc excessively pitted |3.5.1h|1
Offside Rear brake disc excessively scored |3.5.1h|1
Nearside Front brake disc contaminated by oil |3.5.1h|1
Offside Front brake caliper has restricted free movement |3.5.1k|1
Offside Front Statutory seat belt missing |5.1.1|1
Windscreen has a sticker or other obstruction encroaching into the swept area by more than 40mm outside zone `A` |8.3.1e|1
Offside Obligatory mirror missing |8.1.1|1
Nearside Front Suspension component mounting prescribed area is inadequately repaired |2.4.A.3|1
Nearside Rear Suspension component mounting prescribed area is inadequately repaired |2.4.A.3|1
Nearside Direction indicators not working |1.4.A.2c|1
Offside Direction indicators not working |1.4.A.2c|1
Brake performance not tested |3.7.A.1|1
Nearside Seat belt attachment fitting fractured |5.2.3|1
Nearside Front Lower Seat belt anchorage prescribed area is excessively corroded |5.2.6|1
Nearside Drag link end ball joint has excessive play |2.2.B.1f|1
Offside Drag link end ball joint has excessive play |2.2.B.1f|1
Nearside Front Vehicle structure has excessive corrosion which adversely affects braking or steering |6.1.A.1|1
Offside Front Vehicle structure has a modification which adversely affects braking or steering |6.1.A.1|1
Offside Rear Body or chassis is damaged, seriously affecting its strength within 30cm of the body mountings |6.1.B.2|1
Stop lamp not working |1.2.1b|1
Brake hose damaged1
Nearside Front Lower Suspension component mounting prescribed area is excessively corroded |2.4.A.3|1
Offside Front Lower Suspension component mounting prescribed area is excessively corroded |2.4.A.3|1
Offside Front Subframe mounting prescribed area is excessively corroded |2.4.A.3|1
Front Windscreen wiper not operating automatically when switched on |8.2.1b|1
Mechanical brake component has restricted free movement1
Offside Front Headlamp aim beam image obviously incorrect |1.8.A.1b|1
Offside Rear Seat belt anchorage prescribed area is excessively corroded |5.2.6|1
Offside Front suspension ball joint dust cover excessively damaged so that it no longer prevents the ingress of dirt |2.4.G.2|1
Hazard warning lamps not flashing in phase, with ignition off |1.4.B.1f|1
Nearside Rear position lamp|s| adversely affected by the operation of another lamp |1.1.A.3f|1
Offside Front position lamp|s| adversely affected by the operation of another lamp |1.1.A.3f|1
Nearside Rear Braking system leaking |3.6.A.1|1
Offside Front Shock absorber has a serious fluid leak |2.7.3|1
Central Exhaust system not adequately supported |7.1.1|1
Offside Front Lower Suspension arm has excessive play in a ball joint |2.4.G.2|1
Nearside Front Front wheel bearing has excessive play |2.5.A.3c|1
Nearside Front Seat belt insecurely fixed to the seat |5.2.1a|1
Nearside Rear front brake binding |3.7.B.1|1
All position lamps not working |1.1.A.3b|1
Offside Stop lamp not working |1.2.1b|1
Brake pedal anti-slip provision missing |3.3.A.1b|1
Nearside Headlamp aim not tested |1.8.A.1c|1
Offside Headlamp aim not tested |1.8.A.1c|1

We get to these numbers by trawling through over 1 billion MOT test results since 2004 and crunched the numbers. We remove anything to do with Tyres, as they are model independent and group together common non-model specific issues. We are trying to get to a picture of what models have what issues.

Please note: We take the data from the DVSA. This data is raw and can contain typos and spelling mistakes that garages may have entered while recording a MOT result. Specifically miss-match on names of models and makes. We are constantly cleaning the data so bear with the odd issue.

Got suggestions? We’re improving this section all the time. If you have any suggestions, please let us know.

Find us on Facebook

© KnowYourCar™ 2019. All rights reserved
Except where otherwise noted, content on our MOT statistics pages are licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 International license.
You are free to redistribute the material in any medium or format as long as credit is given to KnowYourCar

WARNING: We have placed hidden watermarks in our data. We will take action against our data being used outside of these terms.

MOT Data licensed under the Open Government Licence v3.0

By using our site you are agreeing to our terms and conditions
Terms & Conditions  Privacy Policy