FORD EXPLORER · MERCEDES SL CLASS
FORD EXPLORER vs MERCEDES SL CLASS
Both the FORD EXPLORER and the MERCEDES SL CLASS are tracked here from official DVLA licensing data, and as of 2026 Q2 there are 22,998 FORD EXPLORERs versus 21,815 MERCEDES SL CLASSs still on UK roads. The MERCEDES SL CLASS is marginally rarer, but the two are closely matched on survivor numbers. Year on year their fortunes diverge: the FORD EXPLORER is rising (+105.2%) while the MERCEDES SL CLASS is falling (-1.0%).
Survivors over time
FORD EXPLORER MERCEDES SL CLASS
FORD EXPLORER
Common
22,998
left · 2026 Q2
▲ 11,792 (+105.2%) yr/yr
Peak 22,998 (2026 Q2)
22,219 licensed · 779 SORN
MERCEDES SL CLASS
Common
21,815
left · 2026 Q2
▼ 219 (-1.0%) yr/yr
Peak 23,220 (2020 Q3)
15,697 licensed · 6,118 SORN
Head to head
| FORD EXPLORER | MERCEDES SL CLASS | |
|---|---|---|
| Left in the UK (2026 Q2) | 22,998 | 21,815 |
| Rarity tier | Common | Common |
| Licensed | 22,219 | 15,697 |
| SORN (off-road) | 779 | 6,118 |
| Peak | 22,998 (2026 Q2) | 23,220 (2020 Q3) |
| Year-on-year | ▲ 11,792 (+105.2%) yr/yr | ▼ 219 (-1.0%) yr/yr |
FORD EXPLORER vs MERCEDES SL CLASS — questions & answers
Which is rarer, the FORD EXPLORER or the MERCEDES SL CLASS?
The MERCEDES SL CLASS is rarer: 21,815 are left in the UK as of 2026 Q2, compared with 22,998 of the FORD EXPLORER.
How many FORD EXPLORER are left compared to the MERCEDES SL CLASS?
As of 2026 Q2 there are 22,998 FORD EXPLORER and 21,815 MERCEDES SL CLASS still registered (taxed or SORN) in the UK, according to DVLA data.