Second Hand Mercedes-Benz SLK Headlight

The SLK ran across three distinct generations: the R170 (1996–2004), the R171 (2004–2011), and the R172 (2011–2016). Headlights are generation-specific, so a headlight from any year within the same generation will generally be the right starting point for your search. Each generation had its own front-end design, so parts do not cross between them. Always confirm the exact unit with your breaker against your registration to be sure.

The R171 received a facelift in 2008, which updated the front-end styling including the headlights. Because this is a known facelift boundary, a headlight from a pre-2008 R171 may not be a straightforward swap onto a post-2008 car. You should confirm with the breaker whether the specific unit they have will interchange across that 2008 boundary before purchasing.

Both of those years fall within the R172 generation (2011–2016), which received a facelift in 2016, so a 2013 and a 2015 car are both pre-facelift R172 models. Within that pre-facelift R172 range, headlights are generally shared, making a 2013 unit a strong candidate for a 2015 car. Confirm the exact part with your breaker against both registrations to be certain.

For the SLK, trim level does not affect headlight fitment — the generation and facelift period are what matter. An AMG Line car uses the same headlight housing as a standard-spec car from the same generation. You may find cosmetic differences such as chrome detailing depending on the donor car, but the fitment itself is trim-independent. What you should check with the breaker is whether the unit is halogen or xenon, as those variants differ mechanically.

Engine choice has no bearing on which headlight fits an R172 SLK, so you don't need to match the donor car's engine to yours. The nearside (passenger side, UK left-hand drive equivalent is driver side on a right-hand-drive car — so NS is the left as you face forward) unit is determined by generation and facelift period only. Focus your search on R172 pre- or post-facelift to match your car, and confirm halogen versus xenon specification with the breaker.

UK SLKs are right-hand drive, which affects headlight beam pattern — a headlight from a left-hand-drive European car will dip in the wrong direction and could dazzle oncoming traffic, making it unsuitable for UK road use without conversion. Always confirm with the breaker that the unit came from a right-hand-drive vehicle to match your car. Beyond the RHD requirement, fitment still depends on matching the correct generation and facelift period.