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MOT History from tests of petrol MERCEDES BENZ SLs year 1988

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

mot history
Pass percent:81.20%
(The average a petrol MERCEDES BENZ SL year 1988 passes without issue)
Based on:3,058 MOT Tests
Most common failuresNo# failures
Headlamp aim out of alignment189
Windscreen wiper does not clear the windscreen effectively74
Exhaust emissions carbon monoxide content excessive (7.3.B.1a)51
Anti-lock braking system warning lamp indicates an ABS fault47
Brake pipe excessively corroded42
Registration plate lamp issues28
Brake hose excessively deteriorated24
Brakes imbalanced across an axle21
Registration plate issues20
Exhaust emissions carbon monoxide content excessive (8.2.1.2 (b))18
Horn not working (1.6.2a)12
Hazard warning switch faulty (1.4.B.1d)12
Exhaust has a major leak of exhaust gases (7.1.2)12
Offside Front Suspension component mounting prescribed area is excessively corroded (2.4.A.3)11
Parking brake: efficiency below requirements (3.7.B.7)10
Nearside Front position lamp(s) not working (1.1.A.3b)10
Rear brake binding9
Offside Front Lower Suspension arm ball joint dust cover no longer prevents the ingress of dirt (5.3.4 (b) (ii))8
Nearside front brake binding (3.7.B.1)8
Rear Exhaust system not adequately supported (7.1.1)7
Offside Rear Suspension component mounting prescribed area is excessively corroded (2.4.A.3)7
Rear fog lamp tell tale not working (1.3.1b)7
Centre Exhaust has a major leak of exhaust gases (7.1.2)7
Offside Front Brake hose bulging under pressure (3.6.B.3)7
Nearside Front Suspension component mounting prescribed area is excessively corroded (2.4.A.3)7
Nearside Front Direction indicator not working (1.4.A.2c)7
Rear parking brake recording little or no effort7
Offside Stop lamp not working (1.2.1b)7
Nearside Front Lower Suspension arm ball joint dust cover no longer prevents the ingress of dirt (5.3.4 (b) (ii))6
Battery insecure (1.9.1)6
Exhaust has a major leak of exhaust gases (6.1.2 (a))6
Nearside Stop lamp not working (1.2.1b)6
Nearside Front Brake hose bulging under pressure (3.6.B.3)6
Exhaust emissions hydrocarbon content excessive (8.2.1.2 (b))6
Offside Headlamp aim projected beam image is obviously incorrect (4.1.2 (c))6
Front Steering damper leaking oil (2.2.C.1f)6
Power steering component(s) leaking (2.3.3b)6
Direction indicators not working (1.4.A.2c)6
Exhaust emissions hydrocarbon content excessive (7.3.B.1b)6
Nearside Headlamp not working on dipped beam (1.7.5a)6
Nearside Front Direction indicator not working (4.4.1 (a) (ii))6
Windscreen washer not working 5
Rear fog lamp not working (4.5.1 (a) (ii))5
Rear Exhaust has a major leak of exhaust gases (7.1.2)5
Brake hose damaged5
Offside Rear fog lamp not working (1.3.2b)5
Offside Front Anti-roll bar attachment bracket/mounting corroded and its strength is seriously reduced (2.4.G.1)5
Centre Exhaust mounting missing (7.1.1b)5
Nearside Headlamp aim projected beam image is obviously incorrect (4.1.2 (c))5
Nearside Rear position lamp(s) not working (1.1.A.3b)5
Rear Fuel system component leaking (7.2.3)5
Nearside Rear Suspension component mounting prescribed area is excessively corroded (2.4.A.3)5
Hazard warning lamps not flashing in phase, with ignition on (1.4.B.1f)5
Hazard warning lamps not flashing in phase, with ignition off (1.4.B.1f)5
Offside Front Direction indicator not working (1.4.A.2c)5
Nearside Headlamp not working on main beam (1.7.5a)4
Offside front brake binding (3.7.B.1)4
Service brake: efficiency below requirements (3.7.B.7)4
Nearside Front Service brake excessively binding (1.2.1 (f))4
Offside Front Brake hose leaking (3.6.A.1)4
Offside Headlamp aim beam image obviously incorrect (1.8.A.1b)4
Anti-lock braking system warning lamp does not illuminate (3.4.1b)4
Front brake excessively fluctuating4
Rear Exhaust mounting missing (7.1.1b)4
Nearside Front Steering component mounting prescribed area is excessively corroded (2.2.C.1h)4
Front Exhaust has a major leak of exhaust gases (7.1.2)4
Offside Front Vehicle structure has excessive corrosion which adversely affects braking or steering (6.1.A.1)4
Offside Front Vehicle structure has excessive corrosion, seriously affecting its strength within 30cm of the body mountings (6.1.B.2)3
Brake hose has insufficient room to move3
Emissions not tested (7.0)3
Fuel system component leaking (7.2.3)3
Offside Headlamp not working on dipped beam (4.1.1 (a) (ii))3
Offside Front Track rod end ball joint has excessive play (2.2.B.1f)3
Offside Front Service brake excessively binding (1.2.1 (f))3
Offside Headlamp not working on main beam (1.7.5a)3
Offside Front front brake binding (3.7.B.1)3
Brake pedal spongy (3.3.B.1b)3
Offside Headlamp not working on dipped beam (1.7.5a)3
Offside Rear Subframe mounting prescribed area is excessively corroded (2.4.A.3)3
Nearside Front Headlamp aim beam image obviously incorrect (1.8.A.1b)3
Offside Front position lamp(s) not working (1.1.A.3b)3
Parking brake lever has no reserve travel (3.1.6b)3
Rear Fuel pipe leaking (7.2.3)3
Mechanical brake component has restricted free movement3
Rear Mechanical brake component has restricted free movement3
Nearside Front Lower Suspension arm has excessive play in a ball joint (2.4.G.2)3
Offside Front Lower Suspension arm has excessive play in a ball joint (2.4.G.2)3
Rear fog lamp not working (1.3.2b)3
Nearside Front Brake hose excessively damaged (3.6.B.4d)3
Offside Front Steering component mounting prescribed area is excessively corroded (2.2.C.1h)3
Offside rear brake excessively fluctuating (3.7.B.3)3
Offside Front Subframe mounting prescribed area is excessively corroded (2.4.A.3)3
Horn not working (7.7 (a))3
Nearside Front Anti-roll bar linkage fractured (5.3.3 (b) (ii))3
Nearside Front Suspension arm ball joint dust cover no longer prevents the ingress of dirt (5.3.4 (b) (ii))3
Offside Rear Body has a sharp edge caused by corrosion (6.1.C.1)2
Nearside Inner Rear Suspension component mounting prescribed area is excessively corroded (2.4.A.3)2
Offside Inner Rear Suspension component mounting prescribed area is excessively corroded (2.4.A.3)2
Nearside Rear Brake hose bulging under pressure (3.6.B.3)2
Rear brake application uneven2
Nearside Front Lower Sub-frame rubber bush deteriorated resulting in excessive movement (2.4.G.2)2
Brake performance not tested (3.7.A.1)2
Nearside Front Track rod end ball joint has excessive play (2.2.B.1f)2
Rear Rear fog lamp not working (1.3.2b)2
Offside Front Sub-frame has excessive play in a pin/bush (2.4.G.2)2
Steering box has a significant oil leak (2.2.D.2e)2
Windscreen washer jets misaligned and not providing sufficient fluid to the windscreen (3.5 (a))2
Nearside Front Seat belt anchorage prescribed area is excessively corroded (5.2.6)2
Exhaust mounting missing (7.1.1b)2
Nearside Front Headlamp not in good working order adversely affecting beam image (1.2.4a)2
Front Windscreen wiper not operating automatically when switched on (8.2.1b)2
Brake fluid warning lamp illuminated (3.6.G.2)2
Offside Front Front position lamp(s) not working (1.1.A.3b)2
Steering system has excessive free play detected at the steering wheel (steering box fitted) (2.2.A.1a)2
Offside Track rod end ball joint has excessive play (2.2.B.1f)2
Exhaust emits dense blue smoke at idle (8.2.1.2 (f))2
Rear Stop lamp not working (1.2.1b)2
Offside Rear Suspension component mounting prescribed area excessively corroded significantly reducing structural strength (5.3.6 (a) (i))2
Nearside Front Wheel bolt(s) missing (4.2.A.1e)2
Centre Front Exhaust has a major leak of exhaust gases (7.1.2)2
Offside Front Suspension component mounting prescribed area excessively corroded significantly reducing structural strength (5.3.6 (a) (i))2
Nearside Inner Front Suspension component mounting prescribed area is excessively corroded (2.4.A.3)2
Offside Rear Suspension component mounting prescribed area excessively corroded significantly reducing structural strength inner wheel arch (5.3.6 (a) (i))2
Parking brake efficiency below requirements (1.4.2 (a) (i))2
Exhaust emits dense blue smoke at idle (7.3.A.2b)2
Nearside Rear Suspension component mounting prescribed area excessively corroded significantly reducing structural strength (5.3.6 (a) (i))2
Nearside Front front brake binding (3.7.B.1)2
Nearside Rear brake disc excessively pitted (3.5.1h)2
Nearside Rear Subframe mounting prescribed area is excessively corroded (2.4.A.3)2
Nearside Rear Service brake excessively binding (1.2.1 (f))2
Offside Lower Front suspension ball joint dust cover excessively deteriorated so that it no longer prevents the ingress of dirt (2.4.G.2)2
Front brake application uneven2
Hazard warning switch inoperative (4.4.2 (a) (ii))2
Offside Side repeater not working (1.4.A.2c)2
Power steering component(s) leaking from a failed seal (2.3.3b)2
Steering damper leaking oil (2.2.C.1f)2
Rear Exhaust has part of the system excessively deteriorated (7.1.1a)2
Centre Exhaust system not adequately supported (7.1.1)2
Offside Side repeater not working (4.4.1 (a) (ii))2
Exhaust carbon monoxide content after 2nd fast idle exceeds default limits (8.2.1.2 (b))2
Offside Front All position lamps not working (1.1.A.3b)2
Hazard warning lamps inoperative (4.4.1 (e))2
Offside Headlamp aim beam image obviously incorrect |1.8.A.1b|2
Offside Rear fog lamp not working (4.5.1 (a) (ii))2
Service brake lagging in operation Spongy brake pedal (1.2.1 (d))2
Offside Front Position lamp not working (4.2.1 (a) (ii))2
Nearside Headlamp not working on main beam (4.1.1 (a) (ii))2
Offside Rear position lamp(s) excessively deteriorated so that it is not visible from a reasonable distance (1.1.A.3d)2
Nearside Front Vehicle structure has excessive corrosion which adversely affects braking or steering (6.1.A.1)2
Offside Front Suspension arm ball joint dust cover no longer prevents the ingress of dirt (5.3.4 (b) (ii))2
Offside Front Windscreen wiper not operating automatically when switched on (8.2.1b)2
Brake pedal creeps down when held under pressure (3.3.B.1a)2
Offside Rear Position lamp not working (4.2.1 (a) (ii))2
Oil leaking excessively from engine (8.4.1 (a) (i))2
All direction indicators not working (4.4.1 (a) (ii))2
Offside Front Lower Suspension arm ball joint excessively worn (5.3.4 (a) (i))2
Steering box leaking to the extent that oil is dripping (2.1.1 (e) (ii))2
Exhaust system not adequately supported (7.1.1)2
Offside Front Direction indicator not working (4.4.1 (a) (ii))2
Offside Front Body has a sharp edge caused by corrosion (6.1.C.1)2

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.

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