2004 Mercedes-Benz SL 3.7L Petrol · SHZ 5032
2004 Mercedes-Benz SL (3.7L, petrol). First registered 09 Jan 2004. Recorded mileage 81,252 miles. MOT expired on 04 Nov 2026.
- Make & Model
- MERCEDES-BENZ SL
- Year / Origin
- 2004 · Glasgow
- Safety Recall
- Unknown
- MOT Status
- Expired on 04 Nov 2026
- Road Tax
- —
- Recorded Mileage
- 81,252 mi
- ULEZ Compliance
- Check Required (Pre-Euro 4 Petrol)
- Fuel & Engine
- Petrol · 3.7L
- 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.
SHZ 5032 Key Findings
- 5 MOT tests recorded
- Latest MOT passed on 21/10/2025
- 81,252 miles recorded at latest MOT
- 2 historical MOT failures
- 1 defect noted at the latest MOT
- Recurring lighting items (4 mentions)
Derived directly from the recorded DVSA and DVLA data shown on this page.
SHZ 5032 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 (SHZ 5032) between May 2023 and October 2025.
The record contains 3 passes and 2 failures.
The most recent test on 21 October 2025 was a pass, although the earlier record includes 2 failures that buyers may want to investigate.
Across all tests, the most frequently flagged areas are: Lighting (4 issues), Brakes (3 issues), Suspension (2 issues), Steering (1 issue). Repeated mentions in one area can indicate an ongoing pattern worth checking in person.
In total 5 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: “Offside Front Suspension arm ball joint dust cover no longer prevents the ingress of dirt Rubber holed. (5.3.4 (b) (ii))”; “Registration plate does not conform to the specified requirements Characters incorrectly spaced (0.1 (d))”; “Offside Front Brake pipe excessively corroded (1.1.11 (c))”.
SHZ 5032 Mileage History
- 02/05/202380,481 mi
- 03/05/202380,481 mi
- 05/11/202481,153 mi+672 mi
- 20/10/202581,241 mi+88 mi
- 21/10/202581,252 mi+11 mi
Average of roughly 312 miles per year across 5 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.
Vehicle & Plate History
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MERCEDES-BENZ SL 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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