Second Hand Mercedes-Benz SLK Clutch Master Cylinder

Only manual-gearbox SLK variants have a clutch master cylinder — and the SLK was overwhelmingly sold in the UK with automatic transmission, so many examples simply do not have this part at all. If your SLK has a manual gearbox, it will have a clutch master cylinder; if it has an automatic, there is no clutch pedal or master cylinder to replace. Check your V5 or a VIN check to confirm your gearbox type before searching for this part.

The SLK ran across three generations: R170 (1996–2004), R171 (2004–2011), and R172 (2011–2016). Manual gearbox availability varied by engine and market, and in the UK the automatic was by far the more common choice across all three generations. If you have a manual SLK, confirm your exact engine code from the V5 or a VIN check, as this is the most reliable information to give a breaker when sourcing a clutch master cylinder.

The R170 (1996–2004) and R171 (2004–2011) are distinct generations with different engine families, so a direct swap across that boundary is unlikely without careful checking. The engine code is the key detail here — even within a generation, different engines can use different clutch hydraulic components. Give your engine code and registration to the breaker and ask them to confirm fitment against their donor vehicle before buying.

No — trim level (such as SLK 200, SLK 250, or AMG Sport badging) does not determine clutch master cylinder fitment; what matters is the engine code and gearbox type. Two SLKs with the same engine code and manual gearbox should use the same clutch master cylinder regardless of interior or cosmetic specification. Do bear in mind that a used part may come without ancillary brackets or fittings, so confirm exactly what is included with the breaker.

The R171 received a facelift in 2008, but for a mechanical component like the clutch master cylinder, the facelift itself is less important than your engine code. Your engine code, which you can find on your V5 or via a VIN check, will tell the breaker far more than the model year alone. If your 2007 car sits just before the facelift boundary, ask the breaker to confirm fitment against your registration to rule out any mid-production ancillary changes.

Give the breaker your engine code (found on your V5 logbook or a VIN check), your registration, the gearbox type confirmed as manual, and the generation of your car — R170, R171, or R172. The engine code is the single most useful piece of information and will allow the breaker to match the part accurately from their donor vehicle. Never rely on year alone, as production changes can mean parts differ even within the same model year.