2004 Mercedes-Benz SLK 3.5L Petrol · HG54 LWL
2004 Mercedes-Benz SLK (3.5L, petrol). First registered 16 Oct 2004. Recorded mileage 42,260 miles. MOT expired on 21 Dec 2023.
- Make & Model
- MERCEDES-BENZ SLK
- Year / Origin
- 2004 · Bournemouth
- Safety Recall
- Unknown
- MOT Status
- Expired on 21 Dec 2023
- Road Tax
- —
- Recorded Mileage
- 42,260 mi
- ULEZ Compliance
- Check Required (Pre-Euro 4 Petrol)
- Fuel & Engine
- Petrol · 3.5L
- 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.
HG54 LWL Key Findings
- 20 MOT tests recorded
- Latest MOT passed on 22/12/2022
- 42,260 miles recorded at latest MOT
- 4 historical MOT failures
- No defects recorded at the latest MOT
- Recurring brakes items (7 mentions)
Derived directly from the recorded DVSA and DVLA data shown on this page.
HG54 LWL MOT History
Interpretation generated from the recorded test data above — not an official DVSA statement and not a substitute for an independent inspection.
20 MOT tests are recorded for this 2004 Mercedes-Benz Slk (HG54 LWL) between October 2007 and December 2022.
The record contains 16 passes and 4 failures.
The most recent test on 22 December 2022 was a pass, although the earlier record includes 4 failures that buyers may want to investigate.
Across all tests, the most frequently flagged areas are: Brakes (7 issues), Lighting (4 issues), Tyres (3 issues), Suspension (2 issues), Steering (1 issue). Repeated mentions in one area can indicate an ongoing pattern worth checking in person.
In total 15 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: “Nearside Steering rack gaiter missing or no longer prevents the ingress of dirt (2.1.3 (g) (ii))”; “Offside Rear Direction indicator incorrect colour (4.4.3 (a))”; “Nearside Rear Direction indicator incorrect colour (4.4.3 (a))”.
HG54 LWL Mileage History
- 29/10/20078,683 mi
- 11/11/200813,386 mi+4,703 mi
- 03/11/200917,478 mi+4,092 mi
- 18/10/201020,702 mi+3,224 mi
- 05/11/201123,471 mi+2,769 mi
- 05/11/201123,471 mi
- 30/10/201226,012 mi+2,541 mi
- 01/11/201328,071 mi+2,059 mi
- 13/11/201328,071 mi
- 30/10/201430,296 mi+2,225 mi
- 03/11/201532,859 mi+2,563 mi
- 04/11/201635,281 mi+2,422 mi
- 09/10/201738,063 mi+2,782 mi
- 17/12/201841,208 mi+3,145 mi
- 05/12/201941,559 mi+351 mi
- 08/12/202041,690 mi+131 mi
- 16/12/202141,922 mi+232 mi
- 17/12/202141,922 mi
- 21/12/202242,260 mi+338 mi
- 22/12/202242,260 mi
Average of roughly 2,216 miles per year across 20 recorded odometer readings.
Technical Specifications
Core Specifications
Identification & Status
Dimensions & Weights
Diagnostic & Valuation Intelligence
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Known faults for Mercedes-Benz Mercedes-Benz SLK (R171)
Our database tracks 6 specific mechanical faults and recurring failure patterns identified across UK MOT testing stations for this generation.
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.
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MERCEDES-BENZ SLK Model Intelligence & Reliability
Verified MOT failure trends, buying advice, and technical directory specifications.
Owner-reported defects, recurring MOT failure points, and estimated repair costs.
Browse production generations, registration statistics, and trim variants.
Historical MOT pass rates and DVLA records for 2004 model year cars.
- M272 V6 Balance Shaft WearSerious
Early 3.0L and 3.5L V6 engines used soft metal gears on the balance shaft. The gears wear down, altering engine timing and requiring a massive engine-out repair.
- Vario-Roof Hydraulic LeaksModerate
The complex folding hardtop uses multiple hydraulic cylinders that can leak as the seals age.
- Rear Subframe Corrosion and PerforationSerious
The pressed-steel multi-link rear subframe on the R171 SLK is highly prone to severe internal corrosion, aggravated by decades of wet UK winter roads and road salt. Moisture and grime accumulate inside the hollow box sections, rusting the subframe from the inside out until structural perforation occurs around the suspension control arm mounting points. In severe cases, an arm mount shears off entirely, causing sudden dangerous rear-wheel steering and an immediate MOT failure. Mercedes-Benz UK has historically assessed replacements under goodwill on a case-by-case basis.
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