Should I check the MOT history before buying a 2013 Mercedes Benz Slk?

Yes. Look for recurring advisories — slow-building issues like corrosion or brake wear patterns show up years before they become failures. A full MOT history analysis will highlight patterns that a single test result won't reveal.

What corrosion should I look for when inspecting a 2013 Mercedes Benz Slk?

Check brake pipes, sills, subframes, and chassis legs. Surface rust is normal at this age; structural rust is a serious problem that is expensive to fix and can fail an MOT.

How are tyres and brakes typically on a 2013 Mercedes Benz Slk?

Tyres and brakes are the most common advisory items on vehicles of this age. Budget for replacement if they are near the limit, and factor this into your offer price.

How many 2013 Mercedes Benz Slk vehicles have had dangerous defects recorded?

43% of these vehicles have had a dangerous defect recorded. Search the registration on CarHunch — the full MOT history will show exactly what was flagged and whether it was resolved.

Is the 2013 Mercedes Benz Slk reliable?

Based on MOT data from 4,945 vehicles, the 2013 Mercedes Benz Slk has a first-time MOT pass rate of 85.6%, indicating generally reliable for its class. Always check the full MOT history of any specific vehicle before buying.

What are common problems with the 2013 Mercedes Benz Slk?

The most frequently recorded MOT issues on the 2013 Mercedes Benz Slk are: Nearside Rear Tyre worn close to legal limit/worn on edge (45.8% of vehicles), Offside Rear Tyre worn close to legal limit/worn on edge (45.3% of vehicles), Offside Front Tyre worn close to legal limit/worn on edge (24.4% of vehicles). These figures are based on actual MOT test records — search a specific registration on CarHunch to see its individual history.

Do I need an HPI check when buying a 2013 Mercedes Benz Slk?

Yes. The MOT history will not show outstanding finance, insurance write-offs, or stolen status. An HPI check covers these areas and should be part of any used car purchase.

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Mercedes Benz Slk (2013)

4,945 real MOT outcomes analysed • 85.6% first-time pass rate

2013 Mercedes Benz Slk

CarHunch analysed 4,945 real MOT records for the 2013 Mercedes Benz Slk. Real test outcomes — pass rates, defect profiles, mileage data — from verified DVLA records. Updated as new MOTs are recorded.
Which year to buy? →

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AI Analysis Reliability Overview Common Issues Check a Specific Reg Petrol vs Diesel Buyer's Checklist Pass Rate by Fuel Mileage Distribution Still on the Road MOT Averages Colour Breakdown Compare Models

The 2013 Mercedes-Benz SLK passes its MOT first time at 85.5%, which is above the UK average of 80%, suggesting better-than-average reliability—though the 42.7% dangerous defect rate is a serious concern and well above typical for the market, signalling potential structural or safety issues that buyers must investigate carefully. Petrol models perform notably better at 88.1% pass rate versus diesel at 84.5%, so fuel choice matters here.

At 46,366 miles median, these cars are well-used for their age, yet they're still averaging 1.78 failures per MOT and 10.1 advisories, which points to cumulative wear on electrical systems and trim rather than fundamental mechanical problems. Before committing to one, get a full independent inspection focusing on convertible roof mechanisms, suspension components, and any history of electrical faults—the high dangerous defect prevalence suggests this isn't a car to buy sight-unseen.

The 2013 Mercedes Benz Slk has a decent first-time pass rate (85.6%), but a higher-than-average share of vehicles have had serious defects recorded — the individual vehicle's history matters a lot here.

⚠️ Over 1 in 5 of these vehicles have had a dangerous MOT failure at some point — usually tyres or brakes, and often a one-off issue rather than a persistent problem. The group stats won't tell you which one you're looking at.

First-time pass

85.6%

UK average ~80%

Around average

Dangerous (ever)

42.7%

At least once in MOT history

Check this vehicle

Avg failures / car

1.78

Over 11.3 tests on record

High

Typical mileage

46k

Middle half: 36k–59k

For context

✅ Good baseline reliability. A 85.6% first-time pass rate puts this well above the UK average — it's a well-sorted vehicle in this age bracket.

🔧 Expect consumable spend. An average of 10.1 advisories per vehicle tells you wear items (tyres, brakes) get flagged regularly. Budget for them — they're not surprises.

🔍 The dangerous defect figure is real. Most are one-off tyre failures or brake issues — not structural problems. But it's exactly why checking the individual vehicle's history is essential, not optional.

These stats describe 4,945 vehicles as a group. The specific vehicle you're looking at could be the one good example or the one outlier. Run its registration to find out.

Watch for defects — worth knowing

What tends to go wrong

Across 4,945 vehicles — figures show how many had each issue flagged at least once in their MOT history.

Tyre wear 45.8%

Nearside Rear Tyre worn close to legal limit/worn on edge · Offside Rear Tyre worn close to legal limit/worn on edge · Offside Front Tyre worn close to legal limit/worn on edge · …

Budget for a full set — on a vehicle this age, tyres are expected consumables. An inspection will confirm how much is left.

Suspension & steering 16.9%

Nearside Front Wheel bearing has slight play · Offside Front Wheel bearing has slight play · Offside Rear Coil spring fractured or broken

Harder to spot without a ramp — this is a good reason to book a pre-purchase inspection.

Brake wear 14.3%

Rear Brake disc worn, pitted or scored, but not seriously weakened · Front Brake disc worn, pitted or scored, but not seriously weakened · Front Brake pad(s) wearing thin · …

Ask the seller when brakes were last serviced. If they don't know, factor in the cost.

Other issues 9.1%

Windscreen damaged but not adversely affecting driver's view

Data covers a 3-year window centred on 2013.

See this vehicle's full MOT history & AI hunches

Spot recurring advisories, hidden issues, and how it compares to 4,945 Mercedes Benz Slk cars.

Petrol vs Diesel

Pass rate difference of 3.6 percentage points — worth knowing if you're choosing between the two.

88.2%

Petrol

1,362 vehicles

84.6%

Diesel

3,583 vehicles

Before you buy a 2013 Mercedes Benz Slk

Based on MOT data from 4,945 vehicles — here's what to check.

📋 Check the full MOT history. 42.7% of these vehicles have had a dangerous defect recorded - recurring advisories often signal problems years before they become failures.
Search the reg on CarHunch for the full MOT history, reliability stats and a free AI-powered analysis of that exact vehicle.
🔍 Brake pipes, sills and subframes are the key areas on a vehicle this age — structural rust is hard to spot without getting underneath. A mechanic will check all of this before you commit, and give you a concrete basis to negotiate on price. Inspection →
📄 Outstanding finance, insurance write-offs and clocking won't appear in the MOT records — a dedicated history check covers all of this. Our link gets you 20% off automatically. History Get 20% off via CarHunch

Pass Rate by Fuel Type

Fuel type	Vehicles	Pass rate	Avg failures
Diesel (72%)	3,583	84.6%	1.92
Petrol (28%)	1,362	88.2%	1.42

Colour Breakdown

Based on 79,588 Mercedes Benz Slk vehicles registered in the UK — across all years. From DVLA registration records.

Silver 41.3%

32,850

Black 25%

19,862

Blue 11.5%

9,149

White 8.4%

6,655

Red 7.6%

6,078

Grey 4.3%

3,444

Green 1%

796

Yellow 0.6%

510

Orange 0.1%

Beige 0.1%

Purple 0.1%

Gold 0.1%

Mileage Distribution

Most 2013 Mercedes Benz Slk vehicles sit in the blue band. If the vehicle you're looking at is outside it, it's either unusually low or high mileage for its age.

46,366

typical

35,501

low mileage

59,432

high mileage

Half of all 2013 Mercedes Benz Slk vehicles fall between 35,501 and 59,432 miles.

Is the mileage you're seeing normal?

✓ Under 35,501 miles — lower than most. Could be great, or could be a vehicle that rarely moved. Check test frequency and mileage progression in the MOT history.

✓ 35,501–59,432 miles — normal for age. This is where most 2013 Mercedes Benz Slks sit.

⚠ Over 80,233 miles — higher than typical. Not necessarily a problem, but check service history and look out for advisory build-up on tyres and brakes.

2013 Mercedes Benz Slk — Still on the Road

Almost all 2013 Mercedes Benz Slks are still on the road.

Strong survival — 4,309 vehicles still getting MOTs in 2025, 92% of the peak.

Based on vehicles from this manufacture year that had at least one MOT test in each calendar year. Data from 2015–2025.
* The 2020 dip reflects the government's COVID-19 MOT exemption, which allowed certificates to be extended by six months — fewer tests were conducted that year.

MOT History Averages

11.3

Avg MOT tests per vehicle

1.78

Avg failures per vehicle

10.1

Avg advisories per vehicle

Other model years — Mercedes Benz Slk: All Slk years → Which year to buy? →

1996 1997 1998 1999 2000 2001 2002 2003 2004 2005 2006 2007 2008 2009 2010 2011 2012 2014 2015 2016

Or browse all models: Mercedes Benz →

Compare with another model

See how the 2013 Mercedes Benz Slk stacks up against a rival.

Watch for defects — worth knowing