2003 Mercedes-Benz SL 5.0L Petrol · 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
- 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: 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.
Verify lender finance agreements, insurance write-offs, police stolen registers, and mileage rollback.
Technical Specifications
Core Specifications
Identification & Status
Dimensions & Weights
Diagnostic & Valuation Intelligence
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100 JA Mileage History
- 26/09/202230,219 mi
- 25/08/202330,336 mi+117 mi
- 15/08/202430,385 mi+49 mi
Average of roughly 88 miles per year across 3 recorded odometer readings.
100 JA MOT History
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.
Buyer's Guide & Inspection Advisory
Expert automotive synthesis from historical MOT defect records and market benchmarks.
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
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