2004 Mercedes SL 3.7L Petrol · FV04 HXT

The 2004 Mercedes SL passed its most recent MOT on 21 May 2026 at 36,947 miles, clearing a failure from just one week earlier. The underlying trend is worsening rather than stable. The May 2026 failure recorded excessively binding rear service brakes on both sides and a pitted offside rear brake disc, repeating faults seen across prior years, while the tester also flagged light corrosion within the upper front suspension inner wings. Recorded mileage sits at 36,947 against a 22-year life, an average of roughly 1,679 miles per year. The car covered only 17 miles between the October 2024 and May 2026 tests and 75 miles across the 2023 to 2024 period. Such low annual use points to long standing periods. Standing storage explains the fractured offside front lower coil spring and structural tyre tears found at the October 2024 failure, where both rear tyres showed separation tears and the rear brakes were already binding. A buyer should physically inspect the rear brake calipers and hoses. Binding recorded at the 2023 pass, both sides at the 2024 fail, and excessively at the 2026 fail shows the calipers have not been rebuilt or replaced. The pitted rear discs noted since October 2024 remain a recurring advisory and now sit alongside excessive binding. The fractured coil spring from 2024 must be confirmed as replaced. Front inner wing corrosion needs close examination despite the tester rating it light in May 2026. Low-mileage SL models rot in these areas when stored damp. Verify under trays are sound and check the front lower suspension arm ball joint dust covers, deteriorated in November 2023, for renewed damage.