The Mercedes-Benz SLR McLaren spans 2004–2009 with 0 recorded NHTSA recalls. It delivers up to 24 mpg combined and NHTSA-rated safety.
We're still compiling NHTSA safety, recall and owner-complaint data for the Mercedes-Benz SLR McLaren — its ForCar Reliability Score will appear once that data is in.
Overview
The Mercedes-Benz SLR McLaren is one of the most popular vehicles in its class, produced from 2004 to 2009 across multiple generations.
How to read a Mercedes-Benz SLR McLaren VIN — every digit explained
Every Mercedes-Benz SLR McLaren carries a unique 17-character VIN stamped at the factory. Each position is a code — together they spell out where, when and how your car was built. Here's exactly what every digit means.
- WMI (1–3) — country & manufacturer. Tells you it's a Mercedes-Benz and the country it was built in (real Mercedes-Benz codes below).
- VDS (4–8) — model, body style, engine, trim & restraints. The 8th digit is the engine code.
- Check digit (9) — a math check that proves the VIN is genuine.
- Model year (10) — the year it was built (e.g. R = 2024, S = 2025).
- Plant (11) — which factory assembled this SLR McLaren.
- Serial (12–17) — the unique sequential production number.
- GermanyW1H · W1K · W1N · W1W · W1Y · W1Z
- USA1MB · 4JG · 55S · WD0 · WD8 · WDW
- Argentina8BR · 8BT · 8BU
- Brazil9DB
Digits 4–17 — the engine code (8th), model-year letter (10th) and plant — follow the universal SAE standard, identical on every car. For the full year-code table (2001–2026), country codes and where the VIN is stamped on your SLR McLaren, see the complete guide to reading a VIN.
How many recalls does the Mercedes-Benz SLR McLaren have?
The Mercedes-Benz SLR McLaren has 0 recorded NHTSA recalls across 2004–2009. Pick a year below to see its recalls — then verify open recalls against your specific VIN.
Best and worst years for the Mercedes-Benz SLR McLaren
We're still compiling NHTSA owner-complaint history for the Mercedes-Benz SLR McLaren — best- and worst-year trends will appear here once that data is in.
What are the most common Mercedes-Benz SLR McLaren problems?
We're still compiling NHTSA owner-complaint data for the Mercedes-Benz SLR McLaren — the most-reported problems will appear here once that data is in.
Source: NHTSA owner complaints, all model years. Bar = share of total complaints. Full reports searchable on NHTSA.gov.
Mercedes-Benz SLR McLaren specifications & dimensions
The 2006–2009 Mercedes-Benz SLR McLaren measures 183″ long on a 106″ wheelbase, with a curb weight near 4,023 lb. Full dimensions below — engine, horsepower and trim decode from your VIN. For the original factory build — MSRP, trim and standard equipment — rebuild the Mercedes-Benz SLR McLaren window sticker.
| Years | Length | Width | Height | Wheelbase | Curb weight |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2006–2009 | 183″ | 75″ | 50″ | 106″ | 3,898 lb |
| 2004 | 183″ | 75″ | 50″ | — | 3,898 lb |
Source: NHTSA vPIC / Transport Canada vehicle specifications. Metric values converted to imperial; generation ranges approximate.
Mercedes-Benz SLR McLaren cargo space, seating & interior room
How much the SLR McLaren holds — passengers and cargo. EPA measures its interior at 89 cu ft of passenger volume and 12 cu ft of cargo. Seating capacity and legroom vary by trim.
Exact seating capacity, third-row availability, legroom and headroom decode from your VIN or vary by trim — the original factory equipment & options list shows what each trim included.
Passenger & cargo volume from EPA fueleconomy.gov (largest configuration). Seats, legroom and headroom from NHTSA vPIC on VIN decode.
Mercedes-Benz SLR McLaren tire size, oil type & owner specs
The fitment owners look up most — tires, wheels, oil and batteries. Exact wheel and tire sizes decode from your VIN or the driver's door-jamb placard; the universal items are listed below.
Exact tire, wheel, oil grade, capacity and battery group are added per trim and model year — decode your VIN above for the factory fitment. Universal items shown as-is.
What MPG does the Mercedes-Benz SLR McLaren get?
The Mercedes-Benz SLR McLaren returns up to 24 combined MPG (EPA), which works out to roughly $3,200/yr in fuel. Pick an engine to see MPG, annual running cost and CO₂ by year:
The 2009 Mercedes-Benz SLR McLaren (3L 6-cyl) gets 21 mpg combined and costs about $3,650/yr to fuel, emitting 423 g/mi CO₂ — about $7,250 more than the average new vehicle over 5 years.
| Year | City | Hwy | Comb | Fuel/yr | CO₂ g/mi | Smog | Engine |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2009 SLR McLaren | 18 | 25 | $3,650 | 423 | — | 3L 6-cyl | |
| 2008 SLR McLaren | 18 | 25 | $3,650 | 423 | — | 3L 6-cyl | |
| 2007 SLR McLaren | 17 | 23 | $4,050 | 468 | 6/10 | 2.5L 6-cyl | |
| 2006 SLR McLaren | 19 | 27 | $3,500 | 404 | 5/10 | 2.5L 6-cyl |
The 2005 Mercedes-Benz SLR McLaren (1.8L 4-cyl) gets 24 mpg combined and costs about $3,200/yr to fuel, emitting 370 g/mi CO₂ (smog 5/10) — about $5,000 more than the average new vehicle over 5 years.
| Year | City | Hwy | Comb | Fuel/yr | CO₂ g/mi | Smog | Engine |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2005 SLR McLaren | 21 | 29 | $3,200 | 370 | 5/10 | 1.8L 4-cyl | |
| 2004 SLR McLaren | 20 | 28 | $3,350 | 386 | — | 1.8L 4-cyl |
Source: EPA fuel-economy database (ForCar-hosted, 1986–2027) — best combined rating per engine & year, with EPA annual fuel cost and tailpipe CO₂. Trim & drivetrain vary slightly; decode your VIN for the exact figure.
See how the SLR McLaren stacks up against the most fuel-efficient sedans, or calculate this SLR McLaren's real yearly fuel cost.
What engines does the Mercedes-Benz SLR McLaren have? Power & range
The Mercedes-Benz SLR McLaren is offered with 2 powertrains — 3L 6-cyl, 1.8L 4-cyl. Here's the lineup by engine, transmission and drivetrain.
| Engine | Displacement | Transmission | Drive | Fuel |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| V6 | 3.0L · 6-cyl | Automatic 7-spd | RWD | Premium or E85 |
| 4-cyl | 1.8L · 4-cyl | Automatic 5-spd | RWD | Premium |
Horsepower, torque and fuel-tank size decode from your VIN — exact figures vary by engine and trim.
Source: EPA fueleconomy.gov (engines, drivetrain, range, charge time). Horsepower & torque from NHTSA vPIC on VIN decode.
How much does a Mercedes-Benz SLR McLaren cost to own?
A Mercedes-Benz SLR McLaren tends to depreciate faster than average. A typical example keeps roughly 37% of its value after five years — losing about 63% to depreciation. Check what a used SLR McLaren is worth today or browse current used-market prices before you buy or sell. Fuel, maintenance and insurance add to the total cost to own.
| Age | Value retained | Est. resale value | Lost to depreciation |
|---|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | 75% | $22,500 | −$7,500 |
| Year 2 | 63% | $18,900 | −$11,100 |
| Year 3 | 53% | $15,900 | −$14,100 |
| Year 4 | 44% | $13,200 | −$16,800 |
| Year 5 | 37% | $11,100 | −$18,900 |
What goes into the five-year cost to own:
- Depreciation — the biggest cost: this SLR McLaren loses about 63% of its value over five years. See the full depreciation curve by age.
- Fuel — ≈ $16,000 over five years at roughly 15,000 miles a year.
- Maintenance & repairs — routine service, tires and wear items as the SLR McLaren ages.
- Insurance — varies by driver, state and trim; get a quote for your exact figure.
Resale & depreciation are ForCar estimates from typical segment value-retention curves — not a live market quote. Fuel from EPA fueleconomy.gov at ~15k mi/yr.
Is the Mercedes-Benz SLR McLaren safe?
NHTSA crash-test ratings aren't published for the SLR McLaren yet — see the top-rated safest cars instead.
Tired of ads? Go Pro.
- Zero ads — clean, fast pages
- Exact mileage-adjusted car values
- Full research reports + PDF
- Market charts & price-drop alerts
- …and much more
How many miles does a Mercedes-Benz SLR McLaren last?
A well-maintained Mercedes-Benz SLR McLaren typically lasts 250,000–300,000+ miles. It's exceptionally durable — with routine maintenance many owners report 250k+ on the original powertrain.
Check your Mercedes-Benz SLR McLaren’s VIN — history, recalls & specs
Title records, open recalls, build details and paint code — straight from the VIN. Free.
Check this SLR McLaren’s VIN free →All Mercedes-Benz SLR McLaren model years
A year-by-year snapshot of the Mercedes-Benz SLR McLaren — recalls, best EPA fuel economy and NHTSA safety. Tap a year for full details.
| Year | Recalls | Best MPG | Safety |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2009 SLR McLaren | 0 | — | |
| 2008 SLR McLaren | 0 | — | |
| 2007 SLR McLaren | 0 | — | |
| 2006 SLR McLaren | 0 | — | |
| 2005 SLR McLaren | 0 | — | |
| 2004 SLR McLaren | 0 | — |
Recalls = NHTSA campaigns that year · MPG = best EPA combined · Safety = NHTSA overall stars (tested years).
Frequently asked questions
What are the worst years for the SLR McLaren?
We're still compiling NHTSA owner-complaint history for the Mercedes-Benz SLR McLaren.
How many recalls does the SLR McLaren have?
0 recorded NHTSA recalls across 2004–2009. Always check open recalls by your VIN. See all Mercedes-Benz recalls and reliability across every model.
What MPG does the SLR McLaren get?
Up to 24 combined MPG (EPA), depending on engine — from the base 4-cylinder to the hybrid.
How many miles does a SLR McLaren last?
A well-maintained SLR McLaren typically reaches 200,000–300,000 miles with regular maintenance.
Is the SLR McLaren reliable?
We're still compiling NHTSA data for the Mercedes-Benz SLR McLaren — its ForCar Reliability Score will appear once that data is in.
What's the Mercedes-Benz SLR McLaren warranty?
New Mercedes-Benz models carry a 4 years / 50,000 miles basic (bumper-to-bumper) warranty and a 4 years / 50,000 miles powertrain warranty. Coverage can vary by model year and market — confirm with a Mercedes-Benz dealer.
Where is the Mercedes-Benz SLR McLaren made?
The assembly plant is encoded in the VIN — the 11th character. Decode your SLR McLaren's VIN above to see exactly where it was built; Mercedes-Benz may build it at more than one plant depending on the year.
How much does a SLR McLaren weigh?
The SLR McLaren's curb weight is around 4,023 lb. Its GVWR — the maximum loaded weight — decodes from the VIN.
How much ground clearance does the SLR McLaren have?
Ground clearance varies by trim and drivetrain — AWD/4WD versions often sit higher. Decode your VIN or check the specific trim for the exact figure.