In-depth reviews

Mercedes SLK cabriolet (2011-2015) - Reliability & safety

You get build quality you can depend on and a range of safety equipment as standard on all Mercedes SLK models

Carbuyer Rating

3.2 out of 5

Owners Rating

4.0 out of 5

Read owner reviews
Reliability & safety Rating

3.8 out of 5

The Mercedes SLK is proving to be both reliable and safe, but owners have complained about the cost of maintenance.

Mercedes SLK reliability

The Mercedes brand was ranked ninth out of 33 manufacturers in the 2014 Driver Power customer satisfaction survey, dropping four places from 2013. It scored an impressive seventh for build quality, though, so no matter which model you go for, it should feel solid and well made. The SLK itself didn’t appear in the survey, but here have been no reports of widespread reliability issues with this car.

Safety

Unfortunately, the current SLK hasn’t been crash-tested by Euro NCAP, but Mercedes has a legendary reputation for safety technology and the SLK comes fully equipped with airbags and equipment to help prevent skids and reduce stopping distances. It also features a system to detect drowsiness and alert you to take a break, while there’s even an active bonnet designed to pop up in a crash to help protect pedestrians by softening the impact.

The SLK is available with high-tech features including radar sensors to monitor your over-the-shoulder blind spots and alert you of traffic you may not have seen, as well as warn you about following traffic ahead too closely. Pre-Safe can alert the driver if it detects the risk of a collision and improve braking response, or even brake automatically if the driver does not respond.

Richard is a former editor of Carbuyer, as well as sister site DrivingElectric.com, and he's now Deputy Editor at Auto Express. Having spent a decade working in the automotive industry, he understands exactly what makes new car buyers tick.

Most Popular

Engine management light: top 5 causes of amber engine warning light
Engine warning light
Tips and advice
1 Dec 2023

Engine management light: top 5 causes of amber engine warning light

Tesla Cybertruck finally delivered: specs, prices and UK availability
Tesla Cybertruck side view
News
1 Dec 2023

Tesla Cybertruck finally delivered: specs, prices and UK availability

Best new car deals 2023: this week’s top car offers
Carbuyer best new car deals hero
Deals
8 Dec 2023

Best new car deals 2023: this week’s top car offers

Tips & advice

View All
Car dashboard warning lights: the complete guide
Car dashboard symbols and meanings
Tips and advice
20 Apr 2023

Car dashboard warning lights: the complete guide

Electric car charging stations: a complete guide
Public EV charge point
Tips and advice
11 Jan 2023

Electric car charging stations: a complete guide

PCP vs HP – which type of car finance is right for you?
PCP vs HP
Tips and advice
17 May 2022

PCP vs HP – which type of car finance is right for you?

Average speed cameras: how do they work?
Average speed cameras: how do they work?
Tips and advice
12 Apr 2023

Average speed cameras: how do they work?

Best cars

View All
Top 10 best car interiors 2022
Peugeot 208 hatchback
Best cars
25 Jun 2021

Top 10 best car interiors 2022

Top 10 best electric cars 2023
The best electric cars 2023
Best cars
15 Nov 2023

Top 10 best electric cars 2023

Top 10 best cheap-to-run cars 2023
The best cheap-to-run cars 2023
Best cars
17 May 2023

Top 10 best cheap-to-run cars 2023

The UK's top 10 fastest hot hatchbacks 2023
Fastest hot hatchbacks hero
Best cars
18 Aug 2023

The UK's top 10 fastest hot hatchbacks 2023