Official DVLA Record

2003 Mercedes-Benz SL 5.0L Petrol · 100 JA

100 JA

2003 Mercedes-Benz SL (5.0L, petrol). First registered 09/06/2003. Recorded mileage 30,385 miles. MOT status: Expired. Currently declared SORN.

Make & Model
MERCEDES-BENZ SL
Year / Origin
2003
Safety Recall
Unknown
MOT Status
Valid until 23/08/2025
Road Tax
SORN
Recorded Mileage
30,385 mi
ULEZ Compliance
Check Required (Pre-Euro 4 Petrol)
Fuel & Engine
Petrol · 5.0L
Reliability Guide
Common Faults
MOT Status
Expired
Valid until 23/08/2025
Tax Status
SORN
Statutory Off Road (SORN)
Fuel Type
Petrol
Year
2003
Engine
4966cc

100 JA Key Findings

  • 3 MOT tests recorded
  • Latest MOT passed on 15/08/2024
  • 30,385 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.

MOT Roadworthiness Analysis
60
/ 100 · Average
DVSA Test Records Evaluated

MOT Roadworthiness: Average

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.

✗ MOT Expired or Failed
! Tax Status Unknown
✓ Exceptional MOT pass rate (100%)
! Older vehicle
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Full History Report

Official provenance and safety check for 100JA

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Finance
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Imported
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Scrapped
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Destruction
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100 JA Mileage History

  1. 26/09/202230,219 mi
  2. 25/08/202330,336 mi+117 mi
  3. 15/08/202430,385 mi+49 mi

Average of roughly 88 miles per year across 3 recorded odometer readings.

100 JA MOT History

Vehicle record last updated: 18 Sept 2026, 05:28
MOT Analysis

Interpretation generated from the recorded test data above — not an official DVSA statement and not a substitute for an independent inspection.

3 MOT tests are recorded for this 2003 Mercedes-Benz Sl (100 JA) between September 2022 and August 2024.

The record contains 3 passes and 0 failures.

No failures or advisories appear anywhere in the recorded tests, so the documented MOT record is relatively clean.

PASS
FAIL
ADVISORY

Buyer's Guide & Inspection Advisory

Expert automotive synthesis from historical MOT defect records and market benchmarks.

Buying Score
88/100
Risk Level
Low
Low
Est. Annual Cost
£3,500-£5,000
Mileage
The recorded mileage of 30,385 is signif...

Our Verdict

This is a highly attractive prospect for a collector or enthusiast due to its exceptionally low mileage. Proceed with caution regarding potential age-related maintenance needs despite the clean MOT record.

Given the very low mileage of 30,385 miles, your primary focus should be on whether the vehicle has been maintained according to its age rather than just its distance travelled. Ask for evidence of fluid changes (oil, coolant, brake fluid) and rubber component inspections, as parts can perish from disuse.

Negotiate based on the service history documentation. For a high-capacity 5.0L engine, ensuring the cooling system and seals have been regularly checked is vital. Since the MOT history shows no recent failures, the focus should shift to the physical condition of the beige exterior and the mechanical integrity of the complex convertible roof mechanism.

Running costs for this 4966cc petrol model will be significantly higher than average. Expect high fuel consumption due to the large engine displacement and a high tax band typical of early 2000s performance cars.

Insurance groups for this model are generally high, and maintenance costs can be substantial if repairs are needed for specialized Mercedes-Benz components. While the MOT history shows no current defects, any mechanical issues on a large-capacity engine will be costly to rectify.

While this specific vehicle has had no MOT failures, the aggregate data for this model shows common issues with headlamps, tyres, and suspension arms. You should specifically inspect the headlight clarity and the condition of the tyres, including their manufacture date, as low-mileage cars often sit on aged rubber.

Check the suspension components for any signs of wear or play, as this is a frequent failure point for the SL model. Additionally, given the 2003 registration, inspect all seals and hoses for signs of cracking or perishing which may not yet have triggered an MOT failure but could lead to future issues.

This 2003 Mercedes-Benz SL presents with remarkably low mileage, having covered only 30,385 miles in approximately 23 years. The MOT history from 2021 to 2024 shows a consistent pattern of passes with no recorded defects or advisories. While the recent history is clean, the vehicle's large 4.9L petrol engine and age suggest specific ownership considerations.

The Mercedes-Benz SL has an average MOT pass rate of 86.6% across the 26,167 vehicles analysed, with common failures related 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