Problems owners report
Complaints filed with NHTSA about the 1998 Mercedes-Benz SLK, by the system named in each complaint. One complaint can name several.
- Electronic stability control (esc)1
- Electrical system1
- Tires1
NHTSA ODI complaints (public domain) · updated 23 Oct 2026 · 1 injuries and 0 deaths reported
Compared with other years
NHTSA ODI complaints by model year
Engines
The most common engines in 1998 Mercedes-Benz SLK cars on Dutch roads are the 2.3 petrol (142 kW, 190 hp) and 2.0 petrol (100 kW, 134 hp).
| Engine | Power | Cars |
|---|---|---|
| 2.3 petrol | 142 kW 190 hp | 307 |
| 2.0 petrol | 100 kW 134 hp | 185 |
RDW Open Data (CC0): registered passenger cars and their fuel data · engine size rounded to 0.1 litre, net maximum power · versions with at least 20 cars
In the Netherlands
895 first registered in 1998 are on Dutch roads; 59% arrived later as imports. Median list price when new: €37,645.
Most common APK defects
- Bandenspanning niet op juiste waarde490
- Stuur- of fuseekogel met slijtage kleiner of gelijk 1,0 mm281
- Overmatige vloeistoflekkage overige vloeistoffen232
- Dimlicht onjuist afgesteld206
- Band(en) aanwezig met een profieldiepte van 1,6 t/m 2,5 mm164
- Waarschuwingsinrichting airbag- / gordelsysteem geeft defect128
- Band onvoldoende profiel125
- Richtingaanwijzers kleur wijkt af/niet toegestaan102
Colours
RDW Open Data: registered vehicles and APK defects (CC0) · defect descriptions in the RDW's Dutch wording
In the United Kingdom
624 cars built in 1998 were licensed for the road at the end of 2025, and 846 more were declared off the road (SORN).
Department for Transport and DVLA, vehicle licensing statistics (table VEH0124, year of manufacture) · Open Government Licence v3.0
MOT test results in Great Britain
In 2023, 1,164 of these cars first registered in 1998 took their annual MOT test. 69% passed first time; among all cars first registered in 1998 the figure was 64%.
| Failed on | These cars | All cars from 1998 |
|---|---|---|
| Lamps, reflectors and electrical equipment | 18.6% | 16.0% |
| Brakes | 8.4% | 11.8% |
| Suspension | 5.8% | 12.4% |
| Visibility | 5.0% | 6.7% |
| Noise, emissions and leaks | 3.5% | 7.2% |
| Tyres | 3.3% | 3.9% |
DVSA anonymised MOT tests and results, 2023 (Department for Transport) · Open Government Licence v3.0 · first tests only; a fix made at the test station within the hour still counts as a fail
In Finland
182 of these cars first registered in 1998 were in use in Finland on 30 Jun 2026, with an average of 206,000 km on the odometer at their last inspection.
Traficom (Finnish Transport and Communications Agency), open data on vehicles in use · CC BY 4.0
In New Zealand
44 1998 cars are on the New Zealand register; 39% arrived as used imports, 57% were sold new in New Zealand.
NZ Transport Agency Waka Kotahi, Motor Vehicle Register (March 2026) · CC BY 4.0
Fuel consumption
Official Canadian test results for 1 variant: combined 10.5 L/100 km (about 22 mpg US), CO₂ 242 g/km.
| Variant | City | Highway | Combined |
|---|---|---|---|
| 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
Recalls
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.
Whether a recall was fixed on a particular car is known only to the manufacturer: check the VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls.
NHTSA recalls · summaries in NHTSA's own words
Service bulletins
What Mercedes-Benz told its dealers about the 1998 Mercedes-Benz SLK: known faults, fixes and updates.
| Bulletin | Summary |
|---|---|
| 10030929 | MERCEDES: CORROSION PROTECTION COATINGS FOR BRAKE COMPONENTS AND HARDWARE MAY BE DAMAGED AND OR STRIPPED AWAY IF HIGHLY CONCENTRATED ACID BASED CLEANERS ARE USED. ONCE THE CORROSION PROTECTION IS DAMAGED OR REMOVED THE BRAKE COMPONENTS AND OR HARDWARE CAN BEGIN TO CORRODE. INCLUDE ALL MODELS AND MODEL YEARS. *PE |
| 10022893 | CHECK ENGINE LIGHT ON / FAULT CODES FC1200 / FC1208 STORED IN ME-SFI CONTROL UNIT. MERCEDES-BENZ MODEL C230, C280, C350, SLK280, SLK350, CLK350, CLK550, E350, E550, CLS550, S600, AND SL550. EQUIPPED WITH M272 ENGINE OR M273 ENGINE. *NJ UPDATED 8/28/08. *PE |
NHTSA manufacturer communications (public domain)