fbpx
Newspress Awards 2024 wide

Automotive Website of the Year

The best new cars of this year to be revealed…

We’ll be revealing the winners of The Car Expert Awards 2025, including our overall Car of the Year title, on Tuesday 3 December.
Find an Expert Rating: 
Used Car Expert Rating

Mercedes-Benz SLC (2011 to 2020)

Expert Rating

Used car score:

53
%
D

This model is no longer on sale or in production, so it doesn't have a New Car Expert Rating score.

Expert Rating report card

Media Rating:

59
%
E

Safety Rating:

-

Eco Rating:

55
%
C

Reliability Rating:

-

Running Costs:

33
%
E

How are our Expert Rating scores calculated?

Expert Rating

Used car score:

53
%
D

This model is no longer on sale or in production, so it doesn't have a New Car Expert Rating score.

Expert Rating report card

Media Rating:

59
%
E

Safety Rating:

-

Eco Rating:

55
%
C

Reliability Rating:

-

Running Costs:

33
%
E

Summary


The Mercedes-Benz SLC (originally known as the SLK) was a two-door retractable hard-top roadster that rivalled the likes of the Audi TT and BMW Z4.

The third-generation SLK was launched in 2011, before being renamed as the SLC as part of its mid-life facelift in 2016. The car ended production in 2020 and has not been replaced in the Mercedes-Benz range.

As part of the mid-lift update and name change, the SLC gained some exterior styling tweaks, a new nine-speed automatic transmission, updated interior tech and a few mechanical additions.

“The standard nine-speed automatic gearbox ensures smooth and effortless acceleration”, Carwow explained, while also pointing out that the SLC had sharper steering than the outgoing SLK “thanks to adaptive dampers with selectable settings.”

While the majority of reviewers agreed that the SLC was an improvement over its predecessor, several outlets found it hard to recommend the Mercedes-Benz over its rivals. “The SLC doesn’t have the levels of fun offered by the likes of the Audi TT and BMW Z4 or even, for that matter, smaller and cheaper roadsters including the Mazda MX-5“, What Car said.

While the interior was well-built – a hallmark of Mercedes-Benz models – many reviewers also commented that the design and tech was quite dated inside, even at launch.

It might have not been all that engaging on the road, nor all that practical day-to-day, but as Top Gear concluded, “the SLC works well as an easy-going 24/7 roadster.”

As of May 2024, the Mercedes-Benz SLC and SLK hold a Used Car Expert Rating of D, with a score of 53%. Its CO2 emissions are average, but high running costs and poor media review scores drag the overall rating down.

SLC highlights

  • Attractive exterior looks
  • Well-built inside and out
  • Efficient diesel engine
  • Capable long-distance cruiser

SLC lowlights

  • Rivals are more engaging on the road
  • Small boot
  • Dated interior
  • SLK’s top-spec V8 engine not available

Key specifications


Body style: Two-seat roadster
Engines:
petrol, diesel
Price when new:
From £31,170 on-road

Launched: Summer 2011
Last updated: Winter 2019/2020
Replaced: Spring 2020


Media reviews


Reviews, road tests and comparisons from across the UK automotive media. Click any of the boxes to view.

Auto Express

+

Auto Trader

+

Autocar

+

Business Car

+

Car

+

Car Keys

+

Carbuyer

+

Carwow

+

Daily Mirror

+

Fleetworld

+

Green Car Guide

+

Heycar

+

Honest John

+

Motoring Research

+

Parkers

+

The Sun

+

The Sunday Times

+

The Telegraph

+

Top Gear

+

What Car?

+

Safety rating


No safety rating

The Mercedes-Benz SLC was not crash tested by Euro NCAP during its production life.

Eco rating


No eco rating

The Mercedes-Benz SLC was not lab tested by Green NCAP during its production life.

Reliability rating

MotorEasy logo 600x167

Reliability data provided exclusively for The Car Expert by MotorEasy

No reliability rating

As of May 2024, we don’t have enough reliability data on the Mercedes-Benz SLC and SLK to generate a reliability rating.

The Car Expert’s reliability information is provided exclusively to us using workshop and extended warranty data from our partner, MotorEasy, sourced from both official dealerships and independent workshops. 

As soon as MotorEasy has sufficient data on the SLC and SLK, we’ll publish the results here.

Similar cars


If you’re looking at the Mercedes-Benz SLC or SLK, you might also be interested in these alternatives

Alpine A110 | Audi TTBMW Z4 | Mazda MX-5Porsche 718 Boxster | Porsche 718 Cayman | Subaru BRZ | Toyota GT86

Buy a used Mercedes-Benz SLC


If you’re looking to buy a Mercedes-Benz SLC or SLK, The Car Expert’s partners can help you find the right car

Motors 600x300

Search less, live more. We make finding the right car simple. Find out more

Auto Trader logo 600x300

Find your next new or used car with Auto Trader. Find out more

Carwow logo 600x300

Find your next new or used car with Carwow. Find out more

Car subscriptions


If you’re interested in a car subscription, The Car Expert’s partners can help (PS: What’s a car subscription?)

Mycardirect subscriptions – 600x300

Car subscriptions from Mycardirect.
Find out more

Wagonex logo 2023 600x300

Car subscriptions from Wagonex.
Find out more

Cocoon Vehicles logo 600x300

Car subscriptions from Cocoon.
Find out more

Used car finance

Looking for an alternative to dealer finance? The Car Expert's partners can help
We Finance Any Car 400x200

Used car finance from We Finance Any Car.
Find out more

Blue Motor Finance

Used car finance from Blue Motor Finance.
Find out more

Happy Motor Finance 600x300

Used car finance from Happy Motor Finance.
Find out more

Sell your car

Do you have a car to sell? The Car Expert's partners can offer you a great price
Motorway 600x300

Get a free valuation in seconds from Motorway.
Find out more

Auto Trader logo 600x300

Get a cash offer for your car in minutes from Auto Trader.
Find out more

Carwow logo 600x300

The free, easy way to get 3,000+ dealers all over the UK bidding on your car.
Find out more

Best car rankings

The top cars in every category

The Car Expert has the ultimate ranking of the best and worst new cars on sale, analysing scores from 35 of the top UK motoring websites to give you a definitive rating. We're adding more cars and more lists all the time, so keep checking back for the latest results.

This page last updated:

This page contains links to some of our commercial partners. If you click on any of those links, we may receive a commission.

The Mercedes-Benz SLC was a capable everyday roadster, but it could not match the performance, fun or interior tech of its rivals.Mercedes-Benz SLC (2011 to 2020)