2012–2020
Enter your VIN and mileage and get a plan built for your exact engine and gearbox.
The Mercedes-Benz SL (R231) was built from 2012 to 2020.
For this generation we cover 1 engines and 4 known faults, each with the mileage range where it usually appears.
The most expensive known risk is Timing chain tensioners / oil check valves — cold-start rattle: it usually appears at 60,000–160,000 km and costs €400–2,500 to fix.
In UK roadworthiness tests in 2024, at 50–100 thousand km this model most often failed on: tyres and wheels (6.3 %), suspension (3.1 %), lights, wipers and visibility (2.9 %). It fails less often than average on: brakes, suspension, lights, wipers and visibility.
| Engine | Fuel | Timing drive | Oil |
|---|---|---|---|
| 3.0 / 3.5 V6 petrol (Mercedes M276) | Petrol | Chain | 5W-30 / 0W-40 · MB 229.5 · ~6.5 L · every 15,000 km |
Signs: Rattle for a few seconds after a cold start
Fix: Fit the updated tensioners and check valves; replace the chain if it has stretched
Signs: Oil in the wiring plug, check-engine light
Fix: Replace solenoids, check the harness
Signs: Slow warm-up, coolant loss
Fix: Replace thermostat
Signs: Stuck in gear, limp mode, harsh shifts
Fix: Replace the conductor plate; fluid every 60–100,000 km
Intervals and typical prices for the 3.0 / 3.5 V6 petrol (Mercedes M276) engine. Other engines differ in oil, timing drive and some filters; the app gives the exact plan.
| Item | Interval | Typical price |
|---|---|---|
| Engine oil + oil filterEngine | every 15,000 km or every 12 months | €70–150 |
| Cabin (pollen) filterClimate | every 15,000 km or every 12 months | €15–40 |
| Brake fluidBrakes | every 24 months | €50–95 |
| A/C service (regas + desiccant)Climate | every 24 months | €70–150 |
| Air filterEngine | every 30,000 km or every 24 months | €15–45 |
| Spark plugsIgnition | every 60,000 km or every 48 months | €50–160 |
| Automatic transmission fluidTransmission | every 90,000 km | €200–450 |
| Auxiliary (serpentine) beltEngine | every 120,000 km | €70–180 |
| Coolant replacementCooling | every 150,000 km or every 96 months | €70–150 |
| Timing chain inspection (listen on cold start)Engine | every 150,000 km | €0–120 |
| Front brake padsBrakes | usually at 30,000–60,000 km | €60–150 |
| Front brake discs + padsBrakes | usually at 60,000–120,000 km | €150–320 |
| Rear brake padsBrakes | usually at 50,000–90,000 km | €50–130 |
| Tyres (set of 4)Wheels | usually at 40,000–60,000 km | €320–700 |
| Wiper bladesBody | checked at service | €20–50 |
| 12V batteryElectrical | checked at service | €100–220 |
Share of tests in the United Kingdom (DVSA MOT, 2024) that this model failed because of each system. Bold red means more often and green less often than an average car of the same age and mileage. Sample: 5,904 tests.
| thousand km | 0–50 | 50–100 | 100–150 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Brakes | 0.4 % | 1.9 % | 3.5 % |
| Suspension | 0.6 % | 3.1 % | 7.1 % |
| Steering | 0.0 % | 0.0 % | 0.1 % |
| Tyres and wheels | 5.0 % | 6.3 % | 9.8 % |
| Lights, wipers and visibility | 1.8 % | 2.9 % | 4.9 % |
| Body and corrosion | 0.1 % | 0.1 % | 0.3 % |
| Exhaust, emissions and leaks | 0.9 % | 2.0 % | 4.5 % |
New cars of this generation registered in the EU, Iceland and Norway 2010–2025: 14,402, of which 0 in Croatia. The share shows how common each version is.
| Version | Share | Years | CO₂ | Fuel use |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.0 / 3.5 V6 petrol (Mercedes M276)3.5 (3,498 cm³) · 225 kW (306 hp) · Petrol | 20.0 % | 2012–2016 | — | — |
| 3.0 / 3.5 V6 petrol (Mercedes M276)3.0 (2,996 cm³) · Petrol | 18.0 % | 2012–2019 | 192 g/km | — |
| 4.7 Petrol4.7 (4,663 cm³) · 320 kW (435 hp) · Petrol | 16.7 % | 2012–2020 | 214 g/km | — |
| 3.0 / 3.5 V6 petrol (Mercedes M276)3.5 (3,498 cm³) · Petrol | 14.3 % | 2012–2015 | — | — |
| 3.0 / 3.5 V6 petrol (Mercedes M276)3.0 (2,996 cm³) · 270 kW (367 hp) · Petrol | 9.1 % | 2016–2020 | 200 g/km | — |
| 4.7 Petrol4.7 (4,663 cm³) · Petrol | 7.1 % | 2012–2019 | 227 g/km | — |
| 4.7 Petrol4.7 (4,663 cm³) · 335 kW (455 hp) · Petrol | 7.0 % | 2015–2020 | 228 g/km | — |
| 3.0 / 3.5 V6 petrol (Mercedes M276)3.0 (2,996 cm³) · 245 kW (333 hp) · Petrol | 4.2 % | 2014–2016 | — | — |
Source: European Environment Agency (EEA), monitoring of CO₂ emissions from new passenger cars, CC BY 4.0. CO₂ and fuel use are official type-approval values (WLTP from 2021), not real-world consumption.
3.0 / 3.5 V6 petrol (Mercedes M276): chain.
The faults with the highest risk: timing chain tensioners / oil check valves — cold-start rattle (60,000–160,000 km, €400–2,500); conductor plate / speed sensor (5G / 7G-Tronic) (100,000–220,000 km, €500–1,500); camshaft adjuster solenoid oil leak (60,000–140,000 km, €200–500). The full list by engine is on this page.
In UK roadworthiness tests in 2024, at 50–100 thousand km this model most often failed on: tyres and wheels (6.3 %), suspension (3.1 %), lights, wipers and visibility (2.9 %). It fails less often than average on: brakes, suspension, lights, wipers and visibility.
Before you buy, ask an authorised dealer to check by VIN whether the car has any open recalls. On the test drive, watch for these signs: rattle for a few seconds after a cold start; stuck in gear, limp mode, harsh shifts. The full checklist is in the guide to buying a used car.
These models share engines with this car, so they share some of its faults too.
Mercedes-Benz E-Class (W212) 2009–2016Mercedes-Benz E-Class (W213) 2016–2023Mercedes-Benz ML / GLE (W166) 2011–2019Mercedes-Benz SLK / SLC (R172) 2011–2020Mercedes-Benz CLS (C218) 2011–2018Mercedes-Benz S-Class (W222) 2013–2020Mercedes-Benz S-Class (W221) 2005–2013Mercedes-Benz GL / GLS (X166) 2012–2019
Mercedes-Benz A-Class (W176) 2012–2018Mercedes-Benz Citan (W415) 2012–2021Mercedes-Benz B-Class (W246) 2011–2018Mercedes-Benz CLA (C117) 2013–2019Mercedes-Benz GLA (X156) 2013–2020Mercedes-Benz C-Class (W205) 2014–2021Mercedes-Benz Vito (W447) 2014–Mercedes-Benz GLC (X253) 2015–2022Mercedes-Benz GLK (X204) 2008–2015Mercedes-Benz C-Class (W204) 2007–2014
Faults, intervals and prices are indicative and collected from public sources and owner experience; always rely on the service book and a qualified workshop. Test statistics: DVSA – Anonymised MOT tests and results, Open Government Licence v3.0. Dutch tests: RDW Open Data (CC0). Engine versions: EEA, monitoring of CO₂ emissions from new passenger cars (CC BY 4.0, DG CLIMA). Owner complaints: NHTSA ODI (public domain). Recalls: DVSA Vehicle Safety Branch Recalls Database, OGL v3.0. Brand and model names are trademarks of their owners and are used only to describe the vehicles.
Updated 08/10/2026