SLC Diesel Engines
from £2,647 to £4,500
Rebuilt units from £3,125 · Common codes: OM651.901, OM651.911, OM651.921
Get quotes from trusted UK Mercedes SLC engine specialists. Compare reconditioned & used engines for SLC 180 to SLC 43 AMG - M274/OM651 covered. Get a quote before it's too late.
SLC Diesel Engines
from £2,647 to £4,500
Rebuilt units from £3,125 · Common codes: OM651.901, OM651.911, OM651.921
SLC Petrol Engines
from £2,800 to £5,200
Rebuilt units from £3,450 · Common codes: M274.920, M274.910, M274.930
SLC AMG Engines
from £5,500 to £9,250
Rebuilt units from £5,500 · Common codes: M276.9xx, M177.9xx

Most replacements completed within 3-5 days.
This table outlines typical UK rebuilt engine replacement costs across Mercedes Benz SLC variants, covering documented failure causes, chassis codes, factory engine codes and fuel types.


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Not sure which variant your Mercedes Benz SLC is- Enter your registration number above - we'll identify the exact sub-model, engine code and compatible replacement options instantly.

Every engine code fitted to the Mercedes Benz SLC across all generations, with technical specs, compatible variants and trims, known failure points, and average rebuilt prices from UK specialists. Select any engine code to compare quotes.
Extracted from detailed diesel engine families across Mercedes Benz SLC variants.

OM651.911 - 2.1L Diesel
Main replacement triggers are timing chain wear, EGR / cooling faults and turbo-control issues.
Compatible variants
Avg. rebuilt price
£2,400 - £4,100
Supply only
Technical specifications
Common failures
Not sure which engine code?
Can’t find your engine code- Enter your registration number above - we’ll instantly identify the exact unit, its technical specifications, and live replacement prices from UK Mercedes Benz SLC engine specialists. Every rebuilt engine comes with a minimum 12-month unlimited mileage warranty.

While the R172 Mercedes Benz SLC offers refined driving dynamics, its OM651 diesel and M274 petrol powertrains carry well-documented susceptibility to timing chain and ancillary component degradation that can escalate to terminal failure. Every rebuilt Mercedes Benz SLC engine supplied through our network features upgraded internal tensioners, reinforced...
Mercedes Benz SLC M274 Timing Chain Failure
Most affected vehicles
Mercedes Benz SLC 200, SLC 250, SLC 300 (2016-2020, M274.910, M274.920, M274.930)
Failure mileage range
45,000 - 80,000 miles
Typical failure window
Root cause
Early M274 variants utilised a guide rail and tensioner design prone to premature wear under high thermal cycling, allowing the primary timing chain to stretch and skip teeth before catastrophic valve train collision occurs.
Repair options & estimated costs (UK ranges)
| Repair tier | Dealer price | Specialist price | What it involves | Longevity / suitability |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Minor - Preventative Timing Chain Kit Upgrade | £1,400 - £1,800 (Dealer) | £950 - £1,250 (Specialist) | Full tensioner, guide rail, chain and oil pump replacement before catastrophic stretch | Extends engine life 40k-60k miles if performed before rattle worsens; viable only if valves remain undamaged |
| Intermediate - Cylinder Head Repair & Timing Refresh | £3,200 - £4,500 (Dealer) | £2,100 - £2,800 (Specialist) | Machine shop valve inspection/replacement, timing assembly overhaul, carbon deposit cleaning | Suitable for early-stage skipping; does not address long-term block wear or future turbo/HPFP risks |
| Full Replacement - Mercedes Benz SLC M274 Rebuilt Engine | £6,500 - £8,200 (Dealer) | £2,900 - £5,000 (Specialist) | Bench-tested rebuilt unit with reinforced tensioner, upgraded seals, ECU calibration and 12-month unlimited mileage warranty | Restores factory specification with resolved weak points; highest long-term reliability and value retention |
Our recommendation
If you hear the characteristic M274 cold-start rattle, act immediately. A preventative timing kit at specialist rates is the most cost-effective intervention if caught early. However, if the engine has already suffered loss of compression or valve contact, investing in a rebuilt M274 with upgraded tensioner geometry is financially safer than repeated cylinder head repairs on a premium convertible.
Compare Mercedes Benz SLC M274 rebuilt engine prices now
Every engine type is available through our UK network with typical price ranges based on variant, engine code and budget.
Compare Mercedes Benz SLC engine prices with vetted UK suppliers
All engine types include a minimum 12-month unlimited mileage warranty when sourced through EngineMarket. Prices are typical UK market ranges based on historical quote data from our network and depend on exact engine code, variant, mileage and supplier. Use our free comparison tool above - enter your registration to get tailored quotes for your specific Mercedes Benz SLC within hours.

Every official engine displacement fitted to the R172 SLC is listed below with matching factory codes, production years and documented mechanical weak points for accurate identification.
The 2.1-litre OM651 turbo diesel served as the sole compression-ignition powerplant across the entire R172 SLC lineup from its 2016 launch until production ceased. Engineered with common-rail injection and twin-scroll turbocharging in higher outputs, this unit prioritised strong low-end torque and refined motorway cruising for UK roadster owners. Despite its reputation for efficiency, early production models require careful monitoring of internal lubrication pathways and exhaust gas recirculation components.
Engine Code(s)
OM651.901, OM651.911, OM651.921, OM651.931
Compatible Models (UK)
SLC 180d, SLC 200d, SLC 220d, SLC 250d
Power output
Verified by registration
Common Failure Points
Rear-mounted timing chain tensioner wear, EGR cooler coolant leakage at higher mileage
Production Years: R172, 2016-2020
Get quotes for Mercedes Benz SLC 2.1L diesel engines
Choose your Mercedes Benz SLC engine by fuel type to compare realistic replacement prices, known issues, and compatible UK supply options - from the efficient OM651 diesel to the high-performance M276 biturbo V6.
The 2.1-litre OM651 turbo diesel powered every SLC diesel variant across the R172 generation (2016-2020), dominating UK replacement enquiries due to strong fleet presence and motorway-focused ownership.
Common Mercedes Benz SLC Diesel Engine Families
Found In
Known For
Typical Diesel Models
The 2.1-litre OM651 turbo diesel powered every SLC diesel variant across the R172 generation (2016-2020), dominating UK replacement enquiries due to strong fleet presence and motorway-focused ownership.
Common Mercedes Benz SLC Diesel Engine Families
Found In
Known For
Typical Diesel Models
Petrol SLC models feature the versatile M274 2.0L turbo four-cylinder as standard, with the M276/M177 biturbo V6/V8 reserved exclusively for the flagship SLC 43 AMG performance variant.
Common Mercedes Benz SLC Petrol Engine Families
Found In
Known For
Typical Petrol Models
Not sure which fuel type your Mercedes Benz SLC has- Enter your registration number above to instantly identify your engine code, fuel system and compatible replacement options - all backed by a minimum 12-month unlimited mileage warranty from UK Mercedes Benz SLC specialists.

This timeline covers every major engine update across the single-generation R172 SLC (2016-2020), helping UK owners quickly identify their specific powertrain and compare accurate rebuilt engine prices from vetted specialists.
⚙Key Changes
▣Main Engines
OM651.911/921- 2.1L diesel (SLC 180d / 220d / 250d)
M274.910/920- 2.0L petrol (SLC 200 / 250)
M276.823- 3.0L V6 biturbo (SLC 43 AMG)
▰Popular Models
🔧Known For
Engine Codes Covered:
OM651.911OM651.921M274.910M274.920M276.823