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2013 Mercedes-benz Sl-class
Solid pick. The public record on this car is clean for its age. Inspect it, then negotiate with confidence.
18 owner complaints · 0 recalls · data verified July 14, 2026 · source: NHTSA
Why buy?
Very few owner complaints for its age and sales volume.
Zero recalls, rare for a car this age.
The math, shown
Full methodology →Complaints filed per year
Fading = early teething worked out. Climbing = problems aging in.
How it crashes
NHTSA’s own crash tests, separate from the reliability score above.
NHTSA crash-tested this model year but didn’t publish an overall star rating for it.
1 open NHTSA defect investigation on file for this model year, separate from the recalls above.
Source: nhtsa.gov/ratings. Star ratings compare vehicles within the same class and size, not across every car on the road.
The road ahead
What breaks on a 2013 Mercedes-benz Sl-class, plotted where owners report it happening.
Also reported (mileage varies): Steering (5)
Mileage medians come from owners who mentioned an odometer reading in their NHTSA complaint, a rough guide, not a schedule.
Steering
28%5 complaints · 1 in the last 2 years
“Our power steering went out all of a sudden. We took this to our mechanic who said it was a recall for the power steering. Fletcher Jones Mercedes' looked at the vehic…”
Engine
22%4 complaints · 1 in the last 2 years
“Cam sensor seals failed which leaked oil into the wire harness, O2 sensors, and ECM. This happens to be a common problem with M278 engine. The repair was $10,217 to fi…”
Transmission & drivetrain
22%4 complaints
“THE CAR SUDDENLY SLOW DOWN IN HIGHWAY GOES TO LIMP MODE FOR EXAMPLE FROM 69 TO 35 MILES IS VERY DANGEROUS I HAVE TO GET OFF THE HIGHWAY”
Wheels
17%3 complaints
“TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2013 MERCEDES BENZ SL550. WHILE DRIVING AT 10 MPH, THE INSTRUMENT PANEL INDICATED THAT THE FRONT DRIVER SIDE TIRE NEEDED AIR. THE VEHICLE WAS TA…”
Recalls (0)
No recall campaigns on file for this model year.
Before you hand over money
Check the VIN for open recalls
NHTSA’s free lookup shows whether this exact car had its recall remedies completed.
Free NHTSA VIN check ↗Get a pre-purchase inspection
A $150 to $250 independent inspection of this exact 2013 Mercedes-benz SL-CLASS beats every score on the internet, including ours.
What to ask forNot set on the 2013? See how every Sl-class model year scores →
Cross-shopping? Compare the 2013 Mercedes-benz Sl-class against another car →
What owners say
Real owners of this exact model-year, shown separately from the NHTSA score. If they disagree, that’s worth knowing.