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VEHICLE BUYER'S GUIDE

Mercedes-Benz SL1990–2022

Year-by-year buyer intelligence from NHTSA safety data — reliability, value, and which years to target or avoid.

🏎️ SPORTS
Mercedes-Benz SL
1990–2022
B
Defect Risk
Recall intensity
1.9/yr · seg. median 0.0
Safety
Low
0 inj.
✓No open federal investigations
26
Recalls
0
Complaints
2018
Best Yr
0
Injuries
Avoid 2013
33
Years Analyzed
26
Total Recalls
0
Total Complaints
0
Reported Injuries
0
Reported Deaths

Best Years to Buy a Mercedes-Benz SL

Buyer Score combines reliability (65%) and depreciation value (35%) — higher is better.

#1 PICK8yr old
2018
Strong Buy · 80/100
Reliability81/100
Value window77/100
Recalls1
Complaints0
#2 PICK9yr old
2017
Strong Buy · 77/100
Reliability81/100
Value window70/100
Recalls1
Complaints0
#3 PICK10yr old
2016
Strong Buy · 75/100
Reliability81/100
Value window63/100
Recalls1
Complaints0

Mercedes-Benz SL Years to Avoid

#1 WORST
2013

3 recalls · 0 complaints

Top issue: No complaints on record

#2 WORST
2019

3 recalls · 0 complaints

Top issue: No complaints on record

#3 WORST
2020

3 recalls · 0 complaints

Top issue: No complaints on record

Federal Defect Investigations

NHTSA investigations are the stage that precedes a recall. 1 past investigation into the SL became recall.

Source: NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation. Data current as of September 11, 2026.

Mercedes-Benz SL — Year-by-Year Comparison

Every model year ranked by Buyer Score. Click any year for its detailed problem report.

YearRecallsComplaintsInjuriesDeathsReliabilityValueBuyer ScoreVerdict
202200——
81
85
82
Excellent
202100——
81
88
83
Excellent
202030——
65
87
73
Avoid
201930——
65
83
71
Avoid
201810——
81
77
80
Good
201710——
81
70
77
Good
201610——
81
63
75
Good
201520——
74
56
68
Avoid
201420——
74
50
66
Avoid
201330——
65
45
58
Avoid
201200——
81
41
67
Excellent
201100——
81
38
66
Excellent
201000——
81
38
66
Excellent
200900——
81
38
66
Excellent
200800——
81
38
66
Excellent
200710——
81
38
66
Good
200600——
81
38
66
Excellent
200510——
81
38
66
Good
200420——
74
38
61
Avoid
200320——
74
38
61
Avoid
200200——
81
38
66
Excellent
200100——
81
38
66
Excellent
200000——
81
38
66
Excellent
199900——
81
38
66
Excellent
199800——
81
38
66
Excellent
199710——
81
38
66
Good
199630——
65
38
56
Avoid
199500——
81
38
66
Excellent
199400——
81
38
66
Excellent
199300——
81
38
66
Excellent
199200——
81
38
66
Excellent
199100——
81
38
66
Excellent
199000——
81
38
66
Excellent

Buyer Score = Reliability (65%) + Value window (35%). Deaths and injuries sourced from NHTSA complaint filings. Year links open full NHTSA problem reports.

Shopping by Era

How each generation of the SL compares — best year within each era shown.

2018–Present

Modern safety tech, refreshed platforms, updated powertrains. Higher purchase price but lower reliability risk. Best pick in this era: 2021 (Buyer Score 83).

Best: 2021
2021 · 832022 · 822018 · 802020 · 732019 · 71

2013–2017

Mid-decade models in the depreciation sweet spot — typically 35–55% below original MSRP. Inspect carefully for powertrain wear and recall completion. Best: 2017 (Buyer Score 77).

Best: 2017
2017 · 772016 · 752015 · 682014 · 662013 · 58

Pre-2013

Older SL models are deeply depreciated but carry higher wear and repair risk. High mileage is common. Always get a pre-purchase inspection and verify full recall history.

Proceed with Caution
2012 · 671990 · 661991 · 661992 · 661993 · 661994 · 661995 · 661997 · 66

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the best year SL to buy?+

The 2018 Mercedes-Benz SL scores highest on our Buyer Score (80/100) — combining a reliability score of 81/100 with a value score of 77/100. It has 1 recall and 0 NHTSA complaints on record.

Which SL years have the most problems?+

The 2013, 2019, 2020 model years have the highest problem scores in our analysis. The 2013 SL leads with 3 recalls and 0 owner complaints.

What is the Buyer Score?+

The Buyer Score is a composite metric that combines reliability (65% weight) and depreciation value (35% weight). Reliability reflects recall and complaint severity. Value reflects how much of the vehicle's depreciation has already been absorbed by prior owners — a 4–6 year old vehicle typically sits in the sweet spot.

What are the most common SL problems?+

See the complaint chart on this page for a breakdown by component.

Deep-Dive Research

Common Problems

Full year-by-year breakdown of every documented defect for the Mercedes-Benz SL.

Reliability Score

Reliability rating and score breakdown compared to similar sports vehicles.

Years to Avoid

Every SL year ranked by problem score — worst years listed with full reasoning.

Found the right year? Verify the specific car.

A buyer's guide shows model-level risk. A VIN report shows the individual vehicle — accidents, odometer history, open recalls, and auction records.

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