2003 Mercedes SL 5.4L Petrol · PDW 5
2003 Mercedes SL (5.4L, petrol). First registered 01 Apr 2003. Recorded mileage 11,049 miles. MOT valid until 20 Jun 2027. Taxed until 01 Dec 2026.
- Make & Model
- MERCEDES SL
- Year / Origin
- 2003 · Preston
- Safety Recall
- Unknown
- MOT Status
- Valid until 20 Jun 2027
- Road Tax
- Taxed (01 Dec 2026)
- Recorded Mileage
- 11,049 mi
- ULEZ Compliance
- Check Required (Pre-Euro 4 Petrol)
- Fuel & Engine
- PETROL · 5.4L
- Reliability Guide
- Common Faults
Thinking of buying this vehicle? Free MOT and tax checks do not cover legal ownership. If outstanding finance exists, finance companies have legal right to repossess without compensation.
PDW 5 Key Findings
- 5 MOT tests recorded
- Latest MOT passed on 19/06/2026
- 11,049 miles recorded at latest MOT
- No defects recorded at the latest MOT
Derived directly from the recorded DVSA and DVLA data shown on this page.
PDW 5 MOT History
Interpretation generated from the recorded test data above — not an official DVSA statement and not a substitute for an independent inspection.
5 MOT tests are recorded for this 2003 Mercedes Sl (PDW 5) between May 2022 and June 2026.
The record contains 5 passes and 0 failures.
No failures or advisories appear anywhere in the recorded tests, so the documented MOT record is relatively clean.
PDW 5 Mileage History
- 25/05/202210,811 mi
- 09/06/202310,819 mi+8 mi
- 04/06/202410,852 mi+33 mi
- 18/06/202511,043 mi+191 mi
- 19/06/202611,049 mi+6 mi
Average of roughly 59 miles per year across 5 recorded odometer readings.
Technical Specifications
Core Specifications
Identification & Status
Dimensions & Weights
Diagnostic & Valuation Intelligence
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MOT Roadworthiness: Excellent
This rating reflects historical MOT pass rates and recurring advisory wear patterns from official DVSA test logs. Note that roadworthiness does not verify outstanding finance, insurance write-offs, or stolen records.
Verify lender finance agreements, insurance write-offs, police stolen registers, and mileage rollback.
Buyer's Guide & Inspection Advisory
Expert automotive synthesis from historical MOT defect records and market benchmarks.
Our Verdict
A highly attractive option for collector
With mileage this low, your primary focus should be on whether the vehicle has been used regularly enough to keep seals, gaskets, and fluids in good condition. While the MOT history shows no defects, an MOT is a snapshot of roadworthiness and does not confirm a comprehensive service history. Ask for documentation regarding oil changes and fluid refreshes, particularly for the complex hydraulic systems often found in this model.
When negotiating, consider the potential cost of replacing age-related items like tyres or rubber components that may be reaching the end of their functional life despite having plenty of tread. Ensure you check the service intervals for the 5439cc engine to confirm it hasn't been sitting idle for too long between uses.
Expect significant running costs due to the large 5.4L petrol engine. Fuel economy will be relatively low, and the insurance group for a high-performance Mercedes-Benz SL of this era is typically high. Tax bands for a 5.4L engine are also substantial.
Maintenance costs can be high; while the MOT history has been clear, any mechanical repairs on a large-capacity luxury grand tourer often involve premium parts and specialist labour. Estimated annual running costs are higher than a standard commuter car due to these factors.
While this specific vehicle has no recorded MOT failures, the aggregate data for this model highlights headlamps, tyres, and suspension arms as common failure points. You should specifically inspect the clarity of the headlamp lenses and the condition of the tyres, checking for age-related cracking (perishing) which can occur on low-mileage cars.
Additionally, given the model's history, pay close attention to the suspension components and any signs of leaks around the engine bay. Even with a clean MOT record, the complexity of the SL's systems warrants a thorough inspection of all electrical and hydraulic functions.
This 2003 Mercedes-Benz SL presents with remarkably low mileage, having covered only 11,049 miles in approximately 23 years. The MOT history is consistently clean, with five consecutive passes since 2022 showing no recorded defects. Given the model's aggregate data shows an average annual mileage of 2,144, this vehicle is performing well below the typical usage pattern for this age.
The aggregate data for this model shows an 86.6% MOT pass rate, with common issues relating to lighting, tyres, and suspension.
Reviewed by the IsItAGoodCar editorial team — Verified automotive analysis synthesized from official vehicle registries.
Data Sources
DVSA
Official MOT test logs & failure reasons
DVLA
Tax, registration & powertrain specs
Experian
Finance, stolen markers & total loss
AI Analysis
Historical fault & advisory patterns
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