Complaints by model year
Each bar is one model year. The most recent years are still collecting complaints.
NHTSA ODI complaints (public domain) · updated 23 Oct 2026
Year by year
| Model year | Complaints | Recalls |
|---|---|---|
| 2012 SLK | 0 | 0 |
| 2010 SLK | 0 | 0 |
| 2009 SLK | 2 | 1 |
| 2008 SLK | 0 | 1 |
| 2007 SLK | 0 | 1 |
| 2006 SLK | 2 | 1 |
| 2005 SLK | 6 | 1 |
| 2004 SLK | 0 | 1 |
| 2003 SLK | 9 | 1 |
| 2002 SLK | 25 | 2 |
| 2001 SLK | 19 | 2 |
| 2000 SLK | 3 | 2 |
| 1999 SLK | 6 | 1 |
| 1998 SLK | 2 | 1 |
A model year gets its own page when it has enough data for at least three sections
Most common problems
- Visibility16
- Electrical system13
- Exterior lighting12
- Power train9
- Vehicle speed control7
- Engine and engine cooling7
- Electronic stability control (esc)6
- Steering4
NHTSA ODI complaints, all model years
Fuel consumption by year
Official Canadian test results for 19 model years, best variant per year. Combined consumption ranges from 8.5–14.4 L/100 km.
| Year | Variant | City | Highway | Combined |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2016 | SLK 300 · Two-seater · Premium gasoline | 9.6 | 7.3 | 8.5 |
| 2015 | SLK 250 · Two-seater · Premium gasoline | 10.4 | 7.2 | 9.0 |
| 2014 | SLK 250 · Two-seater · Premium gasoline | 10.3 | 7.2 | 8.9 |
| 2013 | SLK 250 · Two-seater · Premium gasoline | 10.3 | 7.2 | 8.9 |
| 2012 | SLK 250 · Two-seater · Premium gasoline | 10.3 | 7.2 | 8.9 |
| 2011 | SLK 300 · Two-seater · Premium gasoline | 12.7 | 9.0 | 11.0 |
| 2010 | SLK 300 · Two-seater · Premium gasoline | 12.5 | 8.8 | 10.8 |
| 2009 | SLK 300 · Two-seater · Premium gasoline | 12.7 | 9.0 | 11.0 |
| 2008 | SLK 280 · Two-seater · Premium gasoline | 13.4 | 9.6 | 11.7 |
| 2007 | SLK 280 · Two-seater · Premium gasoline | 13.4 | 9.6 | 11.7 |
| 2006 | SLK 280 # · Two-seater · Premium gasoline | 13.1 | 9.5 | 11.5 |
| 2005 | SLK 55 AMG · Two-seater · Premium gasoline | 16.7 | 11.5 | 14.4 |
| 2004 | SLK 230 · Two-seater · Premium gasoline | 12.2 | 9.3 | 10.9 |
| 2003 | SLK 230 Kompressor · Two-seater · Premium gasoline | 12.2 | 9.3 | 10.9 |
| 2002 | SLK 230 Kompressor # · Two-seater · Premium gasoline | 11.7 | 8.7 | 10.3 |
| 2001 | SLK 230 Kompressor · Two-seater · Premium gasoline | 11.8 | 8.7 | 10.4 |
| 2000 | SLK 230 Kompressor # · Subcompact · Premium gasoline | 12.0 | 8.7 | 10.5 |
| 1999 | SLK 230 Kompressor # · Two-seater · Premium gasoline | 12.3 | 8.7 | 10.7 |
| 1998 | SLK 230 # · Two-seater · Premium gasoline | 12.2 | 8.5 | 10.5 |
Litres per 100 km. Natural Resources Canada, Fuel consumption ratings (open.canada.ca) · Open Government Licence – Canada
In New Zealand
1,508 SLK cars are on the New Zealand register; 67% arrived as used imports.
| Model year | Registered | Sold new in NZ | Used imports |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2016 | 11 | 7 | 4 |
| 2015 | 24 | 18 | 6 |
| 2014 | 44 | 16 | 27 |
| 2013 | 49 | 20 | 28 |
| 2012 | 111 | 26 | 85 |
| 2011 | 80 | 27 | 52 |
| 2010 | 32 | 12 | 18 |
| 2009 | 38 | 10 | 26 |
| 2008 | 73 | 17 | 52 |
| 2007 | 114 | 30 | 83 |
| 2006 | 176 | 40 | 134 |
| 2005 | 315 | 65 | 239 |
| 2004 | 140 | 31 | 103 |
| 2003 | 26 | 14 | 11 |
| 2002 | 39 | 28 | 10 |
| 2001 | 54 | 24 | 28 |
| 2000 | 41 | 15 | 23 |
| 1999 | 38 | 8 | 27 |
| 1998 | 44 | 25 | 17 |
| 1997 | 57 | 12 | 42 |
| 1996 | 2 | 0 | 2 |
NZ Transport Agency Waka Kotahi, Motor Vehicle Register (March 2026) · CC BY 4.0
In the Netherlands
9,739 SLK cars are on Dutch roads; 66% arrived later as imports, and 219 still have a recall open. Open a year for APK defects, odometer checks and colours.
| First registered | On the road | Median list price |
|---|---|---|
| 2016 | 43 | €65,505 |
| 2015 | 121 | €61,864 |
| 2014 | 147 | €62,318 |
| 2013 | 214 | €61,479 |
| 2012 | 355 | €60,377 |
| 2011 | 532 | €62,294 |
| 2010 | 137 | €59,897 |
| 2009 | 221 | €61,836 |
| 2008 | 409 | €63,983 |
| 2007 | 446 | €66,477 |
| 2006 | 637 | €65,916 |
| 2005 | 843 | €63,777 |
| 2004 | 1,249 | €56,944 |
| 2003 | 253 | €48,654 |
| 2002 | 367 | €51,328 |
| 2001 | 602 | €46,324 |
| 2000 | 720 | — |
| 1999 | 812 | €41,806 |
| 1998 | 895 | €37,645 |
| 1997 | 736 | €38,850 |
RDW Open Data: registered vehicles (CC0) · list price is the manufacturer's catalogue price when new
In Finland
2,180 SLK cars were in use in Finland on 30 Jun 2026: 99% petrol, 1% diesel. Mileage is the odometer reading at the last inspection.
| First registered | In use | Average mileage |
|---|---|---|
| 2015 | 15 | 84,000 km |
| 2014 | 19 | 96,000 km |
| 2013 | 37 | 119,000 km |
| 2012 | 74 | 111,000 km |
| 2011 | 148 | 122,000 km |
| 2010 | 15 | 132,000 km |
| 2009 | 22 | 130,000 km |
| 2008 | 81 | 142,000 km |
| 2007 | 80 | 152,000 km |
| 2006 | 143 | 156,000 km |
| 2005 | 226 | 163,000 km |
| 2004 | 306 | 178,000 km |
| 2003 | 38 | 162,000 km |
| 2002 | 64 | 195,000 km |
| 2001 | 127 | 193,000 km |
| 2000 | 250 | 204,000 km |
| 1999 | 174 | 205,000 km |
| 1998 | 182 | 206,000 km |
| 1997 | 165 | 217,000 km |
| 1996 | 14 | 173,000 km |
Traficom (Finnish Transport and Communications Agency), open data on vehicles in use, 30 Jun 2026 · CC BY 4.0
Road collisions in Great Britain
From 2021 to 2025, 442 SLK cars were involved in road collisions in Great Britain that injured someone and were reported to the police. 10 of those collisions were fatal and 94 caused serious injuries. As with any count, models with more cars on British roads appear more often.
| Year | Cars in injury collisions | Fatal | Serious |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2025 | 84 | 1 | 23 |
| 2024 | 64 | 2 | 17 |
| 2023 | 112 | 3 | 22 |
| 2022 | 95 | 2 | 18 |
| 2021 | 87 | 2 | 14 |
Department for Transport, STATS19 road safety data 2021–2025 · Open Government Licence v3.0 · how we count
In the United Kingdom
47,128 SLK cars were licensed for the road at the end of 2025, by year of manufacture.
| Built | Licensed | Off the road (SORN) |
|---|---|---|
| 2017 | 1 | — |
| 2016 | 1,214 | 25 |
| 2015 | 4,616 | 171 |
| 2014 | 4,592 | 236 |
| 2013 | 4,286 | 296 |
| 2012 | 5,142 | 418 |
| 2011 | 2,347 | 207 |
| 2010 | 1,842 | 226 |
| 2009 | 2,177 | 327 |
| 2008 | 2,759 | 473 |
| 2007 | 2,793 | 747 |
| 2006 | 2,845 | 962 |
| 2005 | 3,591 | 1,352 |
| 2004 | 2,199 | 994 |
| 2003 | 1,195 | 761 |
| 2002 | 1,251 | 972 |
| 2001 | 1,356 | 1,267 |
| 2000 | 1,069 | 1,169 |
| 1999 | 807 | 936 |
| 1998 | 624 | 846 |
| 1997 | 402 | 613 |
| 1996 | 19 | 40 |
| 1995 | 0 | 1 |
| 1991 | 1 | — |
Department for Transport and DVLA, vehicle licensing statistics (table VEH0124) · Open Government Licence v3.0
MOT test results in Great Britain
59,321 SLK cars took their annual MOT test in 2023; 73% passed first time, against 63% for all cars of the same ages. Older cars fail more often, so compare a year with the same year of other cars.
| First registered | Tests | Passed first time |
|---|---|---|
| 2016 | 1,265 | 87% |
| 2015 | 4,858 | 83% |
| 2014 | 4,920 | 80% |
| 2013 | 4,645 | 77% |
| 2012 | 5,581 | 77% |
| 2011 | 2,555 | 77% |
| 2010 | 2,099 | 71% |
| 2009 | 2,516 | 68% |
| 2008 | 3,265 | 69% |
| 2007 | 3,570 | 68% |
| 2006 | 3,832 | 68% |
| 2005 | 5,012 | 67% |
| 2004 | 3,231 | 65% |
| 2003 | 1,894 | 65% |
| 2002 | 2,078 | 70% |
| 2001 | 2,379 | 69% |
| 2000 | 2,049 | 69% |
| 1999 | 1,614 | 68% |
| 1998 | 1,164 | 69% |
| 1997 | 794 | 68% |
Why they fail
Share of all first tests that ended in a fail because of each part of the car (one test can fail on several).
| Area | SLK | All cars, same ages |
|---|---|---|
| Suspension | 11.0% | 13.6% |
| Lamps, reflectors and electrical equipment | 8.6% | 16.5% |
| Tyres | 6.3% | 6.7% |
| Brakes | 6.0% | 10.1% |
| Visibility | 3.3% | 6.1% |
| Noise, emissions and leaks | 2.5% | 5.1% |
| Body, chassis, structure | 1.5% | 6.2% |
| Seat belts and supplementary restraint systems | 1.2% | 1.9% |
DVSA anonymised MOT tests and results, 2023 (Department for Transport) · Open Government Licence v3.0 · first tests of cars only; a fix made at the test station within the hour still counts as a fail
New registrations in Europe
75,551 new Mercedes-Benz SLK cars registered in the EU, Norway and Iceland between 2010 and 2020, from the European Environment Agency's CO₂ monitoring of every new car. In 2020 the largest markets were Italy (1), United Kingdom (1).
| Year | New cars | CO₂ g/km |
|---|---|---|
| 2020 | 2 | 153 (WLTP) |
| 2019 | 4 | 183 (NEDC) |
| 2017 | 13 | 159 (NEDC) |
| 2016 | 2,690 | — |
| 2015 | 9,979 | — |
| 2014 | 10,769 | — |
| 2013 | 12,057 | — |
| 2012 | 15,835 | — |
| 2011 | 16,070 | — |
| 2010 | 8,132 | — |
Averages are weighted by registrations; CO₂ is the type-approval value (NEDC until the WLTP switch). European Environment Agency, CO₂ emissions from new passenger cars · re-use permitted with acknowledgement
EU safety alerts
Safety Gate, the European Union's rapid alert system, names the SLK in 7 alerts. European versions can differ from the North American car.
Faulty configurations of the control units (traction systems, signal recording triggering modules, engine control units and headlights) could cause one or more control units to malfunction, which could increase the risk of an accident. The exhaust emissions ex…
The driver and passenger airbags of the company Takata in vehicles with ammonium nitrate gas generators without drying agents could, under certain climate conditions, lead over time to a chemical change in the fuel.In the event of an accident triggering the re…
The back-up cable supplying current to the ignition switch might not be connected properly. If this additional power supply is not available, it means that, in the event of failure of the main battery after the engine is switched off, neither the electronic pa…
Defective nuts may have been fitted to the track rod joint on the wheel bearing of the rear axle and might not maintain the requisite pre-tensioning force. Loosening of the joint may result in reduced control of the vehicle and an increased accident risk.
Cracks may form in the high-pressure fuel pipes leading to a fuel leak and a vehicle fire.
The gasket seal for the engine's chain tensioner may display incorrect settling behaviour. Over time, this may result in the chain tensioner detaching from the threaded hole on the cylinder head and the leakage of engine oil. The loss of large amounts of engin…
The passenger front airbag module was not fitted properly and parts of it may come loose in the event that it is deployed.
Safety Gate (European Commission) · CC0
Recalls
3 campaigns cover the SLK.
MERCEDES-BENZ IS RECALLING MY 2006-2008 M-CLASS, R-CLASS, MY 2005-2009 SLK-CLASS, MY 2005-2008 C-CLASS, MY 2003-2004 AND 2006-2008 CLK-CLASS, MY 2003-2008 E-CLASS, MY 2004 AND 2008 CL-CLASS, MY 2008 CLS-CLASS, MY 2004 AND 2007-2008 S-CLASS, MY 2003 G-CLASS, AND MY 2003-2004, 2006 AND 2009 SL-CLASS VEHICLES. A SOFTWARE CALIBRATION NUMBER (SCN) CODING RECEIVED ON THE AFFECTED VEHICLES DURING A RECENT WORKSHOP VISIT WAS INCORRECT. DEPENDING ON THE MODEL YEAR AND MODEL AFFECTED, THE RESULTS OF AN INCORRECT SCN CODING CAN AFFECT A NUMBER OF VEHICLE SAFETY AND EMISSION FUNCTIONS INCLUDING THE FOLLOWING TYPES OF FUNCTIONS: (1) THE FUEL GAUGE READINGS MAY BE INCORRECT; (2) A STUCK FUEL-LEVEL SENSOR MAY NOT BE DISPLAYED IN THE INSTRUMENT CLUSTER; (3) THE OBD SYSTEM MAY CAUSE THE CHECK ENGINE LIGHT TO ILLUMINATE INCORRECTLY; AND, (4) THE SPEEDOMETER MAY BE OUT OF TOLERANCE.
ON CERTAIN PASSENGER VEHICLES, FAILURE OF ONE OF THE SIDE BRAKE LIGHTS CAN OCCUR. THE BASE OF THE SOCKET CAN BE SUBJECT TO THERMAL DEFORMATION OVER TIME.
CERTAIN PASSENGER VEHICLES FAIL TO COMPLY WITH THE REQUIREMENTS OF FEDERAL MOTOR VEHICLE SAFETY STANDARD NO. 108, "LAMPS, REFLECTIVE DEVICES, AND ASSOCIATED EQUIPMENT." THE OWNER'S MANUAL DOES NOT CONTAIN THE PROPER HEADLAMP AIMING INSTRUCTIONS.
NHTSA recalls