2012 Mercedes-Benz SLK: petrol or diesel?
Petrol, diesel and hybrid versions go wrong in different ways, so each has its own figures from the MOTs these cars had during 2023–2025. Pick the one you’re looking at: the fuel is on the logbook and in the car’s MOT history.
Hybrid versions had too few MOTs for figures of their own, or weren’t sold.
Known faults on every 2012 Mercedes-Benz SLK
Reported by owners, mechanics and buying guides for this model and age. Check which engine the car has, as some apply to one engine only.
- Early SLK 200 and 350
Balancer shaft and timing chain failures (early engines)
Early 350 V6s can suffer balancer shaft gear failure, showing as misfires and an engine light before timing chain failure. Early 200s can wear their timing chain and cam sprocket early.
At the viewing: Listen for rattles from cold, and check for misfires and warning lights.
Source: What Car?: used Mercedes SLK (2011-2016) reliability
- All engines
Folding roof faults
Many owners report problems with the folding hard-top: microswitches stick from lack of use, and the boot divider can jam the roof.
At the viewing: Open and close the roof several times.
Source: What Car?: used Mercedes SLK (2011-2016) reliability
- All engines
Water reaching the door modules
Seals at the A-pillar and windscreen can let water reach the door control modules, affecting the locking and windows.
At the viewing: Test the windows and locking, and look for damp.
Source: What Car?: used Mercedes SLK (2011-2016) reliability
- All engines
Suspension bushes, broken springs and exhaust cracks
Thrust arm and anti-roll bushes are weak, broken springs are increasingly common, and the exhaust Y-section cracks.
At the viewing: Listen over bumps and look underneath.
Source: What Car?: used Mercedes SLK (2011-2016) reliability
- Older cars
Rear subframe corrosion (older cars)
Older cars can rust on the rear subframe, which can fail an MOT.
At the viewing: Look at the rear subframe.
Source: What Car?: used Mercedes SLK (2011-2016) reliability
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Other years
Every year of the Mercedes-Benz SLK compared
| Year | MOT tests | Most flagged |
|---|---|---|
| 2016 | 3,703 | Tyres 29% |
| 2015 | 14,370 | Tyres 30% |
| 2014 | 14,346 | Tyres 30% |
| 2013 | 13,488 | Tyres 30% |
| 2011 | 7,412 | Brakes 28% |
| 2010 | 6,152 | Brakes 30% |
| 2009 | 7,372 | Brakes 30% |
| 2008 | 9,477 | Suspension 34% |
| 2007 | 10,385 | Suspension 35% |
| 2006 | 10,875 | Suspension 34% |
| 2005 | 14,101 | Suspension 34% |
| 2004 | 8,995 | Suspension 36% |
| 2003 | 5,108 | Lights and electrics 35% |
| 2002 | 5,561 | Brakes 34% |
| 2001 | 6,267 | Brakes 33% |
| 2000 | 5,296 | Brakes 34% |
| 1999 | 4,124 | Brakes 34% |
| 1998 | 3,041 | Lights and electrics 34% |
| 1997 | 2,013 | Lights and electrics 36% |
| 1996 | 112 | Brakes 37% |