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MOT History from tests of petrol MERCEDES BENZ SLs year 1989

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:79.27%
(The average a petrol MERCEDES BENZ SL year 1989 passes without issue)
Based on:3,169 MOT Tests
Most common failuresNo# failures
Headlamp aim out of alignment194
Windscreen wiper does not clear the windscreen effectively72
Brake pipe excessively corroded34
Exhaust emissions carbon monoxide content excessive (7.3.B.1a)34
Offside Front Suspension component mounting prescribed area is excessively corroded (2.4.A.3)33
Anti-lock braking system warning lamp indicates an ABS fault31
Registration plate issues23
Brakes imbalanced across an axle23
Exhaust emissions carbon monoxide content excessive (8.2.1.2 (b))20
Registration plate lamp issues19
Brake hose excessively deteriorated19
Rear brake binding19
Service brake: efficiency below requirements (3.7.B.7)14
Centre Exhaust has a major leak of exhaust gases (7.1.2)14
Hazard warning switch faulty (1.4.B.1d)14
Parking brake: efficiency below requirements (3.7.B.7)13
Exhaust has a major leak of exhaust gases (7.1.2)12
Nearside Rear Suspension component mounting prescribed area is excessively corroded (2.4.A.3)11
Windscreen washer not working 11
Nearside Front Service brake excessively binding (1.2.1 (f))10
Offside Rear Suspension component mounting prescribed area is excessively corroded (2.4.A.3)10
Offside Front position lamp(s) not working (1.1.A.3b)9
Nearside Stop lamp not working (1.2.1b)9
Nearside Front Brake hose bulging under pressure (3.6.B.3)9
Offside Rear position lamp(s) not working (1.1.A.3b)9
Fuel system component leaking (7.2.3)9
Nearside Front Suspension component mounting prescribed area is excessively corroded (2.4.A.3)8
Offside Stop lamp not working (1.2.1b)8
Rear fog lamp not working (4.5.1 (a) (ii))7
Offside Front Brake hose bulging under pressure (3.6.B.3)7
Direction indicators not working (1.4.A.2c)7
Offside Front Body or chassis has excessive corrosion, seriously affecting its strength within 30cm of the body mountings (6.1.B.2)7
Offside Side repeater not working (1.4.A.2c)7
Rear fog lamp not working (1.3.2b)6
Rear parking brake recording little or no effort6
Offside Headlamp not working on main beam (1.7.5a)6
Power steering component(s) leaking (2.3.3b)6
Offside Front Anti-roll bar attachment bracket/mounting corroded and its strength is seriously reduced (2.4.G.1)5
Parking brake efficiency below requirements (1.4.2 (a) (i))5
Rear Exhaust has a major leak of exhaust gases (7.1.2)5
Nearside Rear Service brake excessively binding (1.2.1 (f))5
Exhaust system not adequately supported (7.1.1)5
Hazard warning lamps inoperative (1.4.B.1b)5
Nearside Headlamp not working on main beam (1.7.5a)5
Rear fog lamp tell tale not working (1.3.1b)5
Drivers seat fore and aft adjustment mechanism not functioning as intended. (6.2.A.3)5
Offside Rear fog lamp not working (1.3.2b)5
Front brake excessively fluctuating5
Parking brake lever has no reserve travel (3.1.6b)5
Offside Headlamp aim beam image kick up to the offside (1.8)4
Offside Headlamp aim beam image obviously incorrect (1.8.A.1b)4
Nearside Front Vehicle structure has excessive corrosion which adversely affects braking or steering (6.1.A.1)4
Offside Front Steering component mounting prescribed area is excessively corroded (2.2.C.1h)4
Hazard warning tell tale not working correctly (1.4.B.1e)4
Horn not working (1.6.2a)4
Central Exhaust has a major leak of exhaust gases (6.1.2 (a))4
Parking brake efficiency less than 50% of the required value (1.4.2 (a) (ii))4
Nearside Front Body or chassis has excessive corrosion, seriously affecting its strength within 30cm of the body mountings (6.1.B.2)4
Nearside Rear Shock absorber has a serious fluid leak (2.7.3)4
Offside Front Front position lamp(s) not working (1.1.A.3b)4
Nearside Front position lamp(s) not working (1.1.A.3b)4
Hazard warning lamps not flashing in phase, with ignition on (1.4.B.1f)4
Hazard warning lamps not flashing in phase, with ignition off (1.4.B.1f)4
Rear Fuel system component leaking (7.2.3)4
Offside Front Vehicle structure has excessive corrosion, seriously affecting its strength within 30cm of the body mountings (6.1.B.2)4
Hazard warning switch inoperative (4.4.2 (a) (ii))4
Nearside Headlamp aim beam image obviously incorrect (1.8.A.1b)4
Exhaust emissions hydrocarbon content excessive (8.2.1.2 (b))4
Rear Exhaust mounting missing (7.1.1b)4
Brake hose damaged4
Front Exhaust has a major leak of exhaust gases (6.1.2 (a))3
Offside Front Headlamp not working on main beam (4.1.1 (a) (ii))3
Nearside Front Steering component mounting prescribed area is excessively corroded (2.2.C.1h)3
Rear Exhaust has part of the system excessively deteriorated (7.1.1a)3
Battery insecure (1.9.1)3
Service brake efficiency below requirements (1.2.2 (a) (i))3
Offside Front Direction indicator not working (4.4.1 (a) (ii))3
Nearside Front Lower Suspension arm ball joint dust cover no longer prevents the ingress of dirt (5.3.4 (b) (ii))3
Front Exhaust has a major leak of exhaust gases (7.1.2)3
Offside Front Lower Suspension arm ball joint excessively worn (5.3.4 (a) (i))3
Offside Front Vehicle structure has excessive corrosion which adversely affects braking or steering (6.1.A.1)3
Front brake application uneven3
Nearside Front Vehicle structure has excessive corrosion, seriously affecting its strength within 30cm of the body mountings (6.1.B.2)3
Offside Rear Subframe mounting prescribed area is excessively corroded (2.4.A.3)3
Offside Rear Service brake excessively binding (1.2.1 (f))3
Exhaust emissions hydrocarbon content excessive (7.3.B.1b)3
Offside Headlamp not in good working order adversely affecting beam image (1.2.4a)3
Offside Rear position lamp(s) excessively deteriorated so that it is not visible from a reasonable distance (1.1.A.3d)3
Nearside Front Brake hose bulging under pressure (1.1.12 (d))3
Offside Front Service brake excessively binding (1.2.1 (f))3
Mechanical brake component has restricted free movement3
Offside Front Coil spring fractured or broken (5.3.1 (b) (i))3
Offside Front Position lamp not working (4.2.1 (a) (ii))3
Nearside Headlamp not working on dipped beam (4.1.1 (a) (ii))3
Steering damper leaking oil (2.2.C.1f)3
Centre Exhaust system not adequately supported (7.1.1)3
Offside Front Headlamp not working on dipped beam (4.1.1 (a) (ii))3
All direction indicators not working (4.4.1 (a) (ii))3
Offside Headlamp not working on dipped beam (1.7.5a)3
Steering box has a significant oil leak (2.2.D.2e)2
Front Steering damper leaking oil (2.2.C.1f)2
Nearside Front front brake binding (3.7.B.1)2
Nearside Rear Vehicle structure has excessive corrosion which adversely affects braking or steering (6.1.A.1)2
Nearside Front Direction indicator not working (1.4.A.2c)2
Rear Brake disc significantly and obviously worn (1.1.14 (a) (i))2
Offside Rear Body has a sharp edge caused by corrosion (6.1.C.1)2
Nearside Rear Body or chassis has excessive corrosion, seriously affecting its strength within 30cm of the body mountings (6.1.B.2)2
Nearside Stop lamp(s) not working (4.3.1 (a) (ii))2
Stop lamp(s) all not working (4.3.1 (a) (iii))2
Offside Front Lower Suspension arm ball joint dust cover no longer prevents the ingress of dirt (5.3.4 (b) (ii))2
Nearside Front Sub-frame rubber bush deteriorated resulting in excessive movement (2.4.G.2)2
Offside Front Brake hose bulging under pressure (1.1.12 (d))2
Fuel system component insecure (7.2.1)2
Nearside Track rod end ball joint has excessive play (2.2.B.1f)2
Parking brake is not capable of being maintained in operation by direct mechanical action only (3.1.2)2
Offside Front suspension has excessive play in a lower suspension ball joint (2.5.B.1a)2
Nearside Front Suspension arm corroded and seriously weakened (2.4.G.1)2
Nearside Front Upper Sub-frame rubber bush deteriorated resulting in excessive movement (2.4.G.2)2
Offside Front Headlamp not in good working order adversely affecting beam image (1.2.4a)2
Rear brake application uneven2
Rear Fuel system component leaking pump (6.1.3 (b) (i))2
Oil leaking excessively from engine (8.4.1 (a) (i))2
Power steering pipe(s) or hose(s) leaking (2.3.3b)2
Rear fog lamp switch inoperative (4.5.3 (a) (ii))2
Offside Front Upper Suspension arm ball joint dust cover no longer prevents the ingress of dirt (5.3.4 (b) (ii))2
Nearside Headlamp aim projected beam image is obviously incorrect (4.1.2 (c))2
Offside Headlamp aim projected beam image is obviously incorrect (4.1.2 (c))2
Nearside Front Upper Suspension arm ball joint dust cover no longer prevents the ingress of dirt (5.3.4 (b) (ii))2
Hazard warning lamps inoperative (4.4.1 (e))2
Offside Front Subframe mounting prescribed area is excessively corroded (2.4.A.3)2
Front Windscreen wiper blade deteriorated (8.2.2)2
Fuel pipe leaking (7.2.3)2
Front Windscreen wiper not operating automatically when switched on (8.2.1b)2
Nearside Front Lower Suspension arm ball joint excessively worn (5.3.4 (a) (i))2
Offside rear brake recording little or no effort (3.7.B.5a)2
Nearside Front Brake pipe inadequately clipped (3.6.B.1)2
Nearside Inner Front Suspension component mounting prescribed area is excessively corroded (2.4.A.3)2
Nearside Rear Position lamp not working (4.2.1 (a))2
Offside Rear Vehicle structure has excessive corrosion, seriously affecting its strength within 30cm of the body mountings (6.1.B.2)2
Anti-lock braking system warning lamp does not illuminate (3.4.1b)2
Power steering pipe(s) or hose(s) leaking from a joint (2.3.3b)2
Nearside Front Headlamp aim beam image kick up to the offside (1.8)2
Offside Front Headlamp aim beam image kick up to the offside (1.8)2
Rear Exhaust system not adequately supported (7.1.1)2
Rear Subframe mounting prescribed area is excessively corroded (2.4.A.3)2
Nearside Front suspension has excessive play in a lower suspension ball joint (2.5.B.1a)2
Nearside Front Seat belt anchorage prescribed area is excessively corroded (5.2.6)2
Offside Front Brake hose leaking (3.6.A.1)2
Nearside Rear Subframe mounting prescribed area is excessively corroded (2.4.A.3)2
Drivers seat fore and aft adjustment mechanism not functioning as intended. (6.2.5 (b) (i))2
Windscreen washer jets misaligned and not providing sufficient fluid to the windscreen (3.5 (a))2
Offside Front Lower Suspension arm corroded and seriously weakened (5.3.3 (b) (i))2
Offside Headlamp not working on dipped beam (4.1.1 (a) (ii))2
Nearside Rear Stop lamp not working (1.2.1b)2
Offside Rear Subframe mounting prescribed area excessively corroded significantly reducing structural strength (5.3.6 (a) (i))2
Offside Rear Body or chassis has excessive corrosion, seriously affecting its strength within 30cm of the body mountings (6.1.B.2)2
Nearside Headlamp aim beam image kick up to the offside (1.8)2
Offside Stop lamp(s) not working (4.3.1 (a) (ii))2
Nearside Front Direction indicator not working (4.4.1 (a) (ii))2
Nearside Front Lower Seat belt anchorage prescribed area is excessively corroded (5.2.6)2
Offside Front front brake binding (3.7.B.1)2
Offside Rear Stop lamp not working (1.2.1b)2
Offside Exhaust system not adequately supported (7.1.1)2
Nearside Rear position lamp(s) not working (1.1.A.3b)2
Centre Exhaust mounting missing (7.1.1b)2
Centre Steering damper leaking oil (2.2.C.1f)2
Nearside Suspension component mounting prescribed area is excessively corroded (2.4.A.3)2
Exhaust has a major leak of exhaust gases (6.1.2 (a))2
Offside rear brake excessively fluctuating (3.7.B.3)2
Nearside front brake binding (3.7.B.1)2
Centre Exhaust has part of the system excessively deteriorated (7.1.1a)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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