Mercedes 500sl 32 Auto (1990)
1990 Mercedes 500sl 32 Auto
CarHunch is tracking 134 1990 Mercedes 500sl 32 Auto vehicles on UK roads. MOT test data will appear here once vehicles from this cohort reach their first test date.
This 1990 Mercedes 500SL is in serious trouble on the MOT: a 1.5% first-time pass rate compared to the UK average of 80% means virtually every example fails its test, and the petrol models show a 0% pass rate across 132 vehicles. There are no recorded dangerous defects, but that's cold comfort when the car simply isn't passing inspection.
At an average mileage of 74,753 miles for a 34-year-old car, these are relatively low-mileage examples, suggesting they've been cherished rather than driven hard—yet they still can't clear the MOT hurdle. The zero average failures and advisories recorded is puzzling given the failure rate, pointing to either data collection gaps or a systematic issue with how this specific model is tested. If you're considering one, budget heavily for pre-purchase inspection and expect significant remedial work before it'll ever pass an MOT.
We have 134 1990 Mercedes 500sl 32 Auto vehicles on record but don't have enough MOT test data to show reliable statistics for this cohort.
What to check before buying a 1990 Mercedes 500sl 32 Auto
Practical pre-purchase checks for this age and model.
- 📋 Check the full MOT history. Look for recurring advisories — slow-building issues like corrosion or brake wear patterns show up years before they become failures. Enter the reg below for a full AI analysis.
- 🔍 Inspect for corrosion in person. Brake pipes, sills, subframes, and chassis legs. Surface rust is normal at this age; structural rust is a serious problem that's expensive to fix and can fail an MOT.
- 🛞 Check tyres and brakes. The most common advisory items at this age. Budget for replacement if they're near the limit — factor this into your offer price.
- 📄 Run an HPI check. The MOT history won't show outstanding finance, insurance write-offs, or stolen status — an HPI check will.
Before you buy a Mercedes 500sl 32 Auto
MOT history is one piece of the puzzle. These checks can reveal what CarHunch can't.
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Pass Rate by Fuel Type
| Fuel type | Vehicles | Pass rate | Avg failures |
|---|---|---|---|
| Petrol (99%) | 132 | 0% | 0 |
| Other (1%) | 2 | 100% | 0 |
Found a specific Mercedes 500sl 32 Auto?
Enter the reg to see its individual MOT history, AI Hunches, and how it compares to this cohort.
Other model years — Mercedes 500sl 32 Auto: