2004 Mercedes-Benz SL 3.7L Petrol · EX54 VHM
2004 Mercedes-Benz SL (3.7L, petrol). First registered 29/09/2004. Recorded mileage 130,525 miles. MOT status: Expired.
- Make & Model
- MERCEDES-BENZ SL
- Year / Origin
- 2004 · Chelmsford
- MOT Status
- Valid until 05/02/2026
- Road Tax
- —
- Recorded Mileage
- 130,525 mi
- ULEZ Compliance
- Non-Compliant (Pre-Euro 4 Petrol)
- Fuel & Engine
- Petrol · 3.7L
- Reliability Guide
- Common Faults
- Fuel Type
- Petrol
- Year
- 2004
- Engine
- 3724cc
EX54 VHM Key Findings
- 5 MOT tests recorded
- Latest MOT passed on 06/02/2025
- 130,525 miles recorded at latest MOT
- 1 historical MOT failure
- No defects recorded at the latest MOT
- Recurring tyres items (2 mentions)
Derived directly from the recorded DVSA and DVLA data shown on this page.
MOT Roadworthiness: Below 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
Estimate current market value
Generate an instant valuation benchmark based on live market listings, vehicle mileage, and recent dealer auction figures.
EX54 VHM Mileage History
- 05/01/2022114,333 mi
- 03/01/2023122,417 mi+8,084 mi
- 11/12/2023126,124 mi+3,707 mi
- 31/01/2025130,521 mi+4,397 mi
- 06/02/2025130,525 mi+4 mi
Average of roughly 5,244 miles per year across 5 recorded odometer readings.
EX54 VHM 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 2004 Mercedes-Benz Sl (EX54 VHM) between January 2022 and February 2025.
The record contains 4 passes and 1 failure.
The most recent test on 06 February 2025 was a pass, although the earlier record includes 1 failure that buyers may want to investigate.
Across all tests, the most frequently flagged areas are: Tyres (2 issues), Suspension (2 issues). Repeated mentions in one area can indicate an ongoing pattern worth checking in person.
In total 2 advisory notices are recorded. Advisories flag items that passed but may need attention before the next test; they are not evidence of how well the vehicle has been serviced.
Recorded failure items include: “Rear Registration plate does not conform to the specified requirements incorrectly spaced reads A1 5TAF should read a15 ”; “Front Registration plate does not conform to the specified requirements incorrectly spaced reads A1 5TAF should read ”; “Offside Front Lower Suspension arm pin or bush excessively worn Front arm bush (5.3.4 (a) (i))”.
Buyer's Guide & Inspection Advisory
Expert automotive synthesis from historical MOT defect records and market benchmarks.
Our Verdict
Approach with caution but this 2004 Mercedes-Benz SL could be a reasonable buy if the recent suspension work is verified. The January 2025 MOT failure for worn front suspension components was rectified days later, and the car has since passed, but high mileage and a large petrol engine mean ownership costs will be significant.
Before purchasing, ask the seller for evidence that the January 2025 suspension arm and bush wear was properly repaired, as the car passed just six days after failing — confirm new parts were fitted rather than a temporary fix. Check for a full service history, which is essential on a 3.7-litre petrol SL of this age to verify timing chain, hydraulic roof and transmission maintenance. Use the January 2025 failure on number plate spacing to negotiate a small discount if plates have not been corrected to read 'A15 TAF' as required.
The 3724cc petrol engine will return modest fuel economy, likely under 25 mpg in mixed use, and road tax for a 2004 large petrol convertible will be in the higher bands, around £400 per year. Insurance group for an SL of this era is high, probably group 45-plus, so expect premiums above average for a prestige sports car. Typical annual maintenance including tyres, servicing and consumables for a 130k-mile V8 SL could total £1,200-£1,800 given parts and labour costs for Mercedes-Benz models.
Inspect the front lower suspension arms and bushes closely, as the January 2025 MOT failed on excessive wear to both near and offside front lower arms — confirm replacements are present and not simply re-greased. Check both front and rear number plates conform to requirements reading 'A15 TAF' after the January 2025 advisory for incorrect spacing. Given the 2023 MOT noted offside front and rear tyres worn on the edge, examine all four tyres for even wear and remaining tread, and verify the retractable hardtop operates smoothly as this is a known complexity on SL models.
This black 2004 Mercedes-Benz SL (EX54VHM) shows 130,525 miles on its latest February 2025 MOT, which is high for a 21-year-old prestige convertible but consistent with steady annual use of roughly 8,000 miles. The MOT history is mostly clean, with only a single failure in January 2025 for non-compliant number plates and excessively worn front lower suspension arms and bushes, all corrected before the pass on 6 February 2025. Earlier tests in 2022, 2023 and December 2023 passed with minor tyre edge wear noted in 2023. No aggregate model reliability data is available, so condition must be judged on this car's own history.
No aggregate MOT reliability data is available for the Mercedes-Benz SL, so this vehicle's condition must be assessed solely on its individual history provided.
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
Similar Vehicles
Similar Vehicles Checked Recently
Plate Neighbors
Batch Registration Neighbors (EX54 Series)
Vehicles registered in the same regional DVLA batch as EX54VHM.
TOYOTA
YARIS
TOYOTA
AVENSIS
TOYOTA
COROLLA
TOYOTA
YARIS
TOYOTA
COROLLA
TOYOTA
AVENSIS
TOYOTA
YARIS
TOYOTA
RAV4
TOYOTA
RAV4
HYUNDAI
GETZ GSI
HYUNDAI
GETZ
HYUNDAI
GETZ