Mercedes Slk 230 Kompressor Auto (1998)
1998 Mercedes Slk 230 Kompressor Auto
CarHunch analysed 132 real MOT records for the 1998 Mercedes Slk 230 Kompressor Auto. Real test outcomes — pass rates, defect profiles, mileage data — from verified DVLA records. Updated as new MOTs are recorded.
This 1998 Mercedes SLK 230 is a serious reliability gamble: only 23.7% pass their MOT first time, less than a third of the UK average of 80%. The good news is that dangerous defects are virtually non-existent at 0%, so when failures do occur, they're typically fixable rather than catastrophic.
The median mileage of 79,000 suggests these cars aren't being thrashed, yet the low pass rate indicates age-related wear is catching up fast—at 26 years old, that's inevitable. With almost no advisories being recorded, any problems tend to be already-present failures rather than emerging concerns, which means you're buying either a well-maintained example or one with hidden issues waiting to surface. Have a full pre-purchase inspection done by a Mercedes specialist before committing.
We have limited data for the 1998 Mercedes Slk 230 Kompressor Auto — treat the figures below as indicative rather than definitive.
These stats describe 132 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.
See this vehicle's full MOT history & AI hunches
Spot recurring advisories, hidden issues, and how it compares to 132 Mercedes Slk 230 Kompressor Auto cars.
Before you buy a 1998 Mercedes Slk 230 Kompressor Auto
Based on MOT data from 132 vehicles — here's what to check.
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Check the full MOT history.
0% 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. -
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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
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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
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Pass Rate by Fuel Type
| Fuel type | Vehicles | Pass rate | Avg failures |
|---|---|---|---|
| Petrol (74%) | 98 | 1% | 0 |
1998 Mercedes Slk 230 Kompressor Auto — Still on the Road
Numbers are thinning — 48% of 1998 Mercedes Slk 230 Kompressor Autos are still active.
Numbers are declining — 12 vehicles still getting MOTs in 2025 (48% of peak).
Based on vehicles from this manufacture year that had at least one MOT test in each calendar year. Data from 2018–2025.
* 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
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