Large SUV · 2005–2013 cars
Mercedes-Benz R-Class reliability
The Mercedes-Benz R-Class fails 27.2% of first MOT tests, 34% fewer MOT fails than the average car its age and mileage, based on 9,353 DVSA MOT tests from 2022 to 2024.
Checking a Mercedes-Benz R-Class before you buy?
- first-time MOT fail rate (all cars: 28.4%)
- 27.2%
- first-time MOT fail rate (all cars: 28.4%)
- fails than cars of the same age and mileage
- 34% fewer
- fails than cars of the same age and mileage
- MOT tests analysed, 2022 to 2024
- 9,353
- MOT tests analysed, 2022 to 2024
- typical miles a year, from MOT readings
- 9,500
- typical miles a year, from MOT readings
MOT fail rate by age
How the Mercedes-Benz R-Class ages
Each point is the share of Mercedes-Benz R-Classs of that age that failed their MOT first time, against all cars of the same age.
| Age at MOT (years) | Mercedes-Benz R-Class | All cars |
|---|---|---|
| 9 | 22.8% | 28.8% |
| 10 | 23.9% | 31.8% |
| 11 | 27% | 34.6% |
| 12 | 29.5% | 37.3% |
| 13 | 15.4% | 39.5% |
| 14 | 32.8% | 41.1% |
| 15 | 31.5% | 42.3% |
| 16 | 31.4% | 42.9% |
| 17 | 37.2% | 43.4% |
By year
The best and worst Mercedes-Benz R-Class years
2011 cars come out best and 2007 cars worst, once age and mileage are taken into account.
| First registered | Tests | Fail rate | Against same-age cars | Typical mileage |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2013 | 610 | 23.9% | 28% fewer fails | 96,294 |
| 2012 R-Class | 1,024 | 22.8% | 37% fewer fails | 98,697 |
| 2011 R-Class | 2,184 | 16.9% | 57% fewer fails | 91,803 |
| 2010 | 842 | 31.2% | 23% fewer fails | 117,123 |
| 2009 | 764 | 32.3% | 24% fewer fails | 114,453 |
| 2008 R-Class | 1,165 | 28.9% | 33% fewer fails | 119,889 |
| 2007 R-Class | 1,412 | 35.6% | 20% fewer fails | 126,491 |
| 2006 R-Class | 1,340 | 32.7% | 27% fewer fails | 124,108 |
Common problems
What fails most on a Mercedes-Benz R-Class
Failures by area, against cars of the same age and mileage.
Fail rate by area
- Lights and electrics11%43% below avg
- Brakes10.1%8% below avg
- Exhaust, emissions and leaks5%11% below avg
- Body, chassis and structure5%25% below avg
- Tyres4.4%44% below avg
- Suspension4.1%75% below avg
- Windscreen, wipers and mirrors2.2%65% below avg
- Seat belts and airbags1.7%10% below avg
- Steering0.9%74% below avg
Average for cars of the same age and mileage
Top MOT failures
- 1
CV joint boot split or insecure 3.22% of tests
A split CV boot lets dirt in and grease out, so the joint wears and may need full replacement.
- 2
Position lamp not working 3.14% of tests
A failed position lamp makes the car harder to see in poor light and is illegal, so it must be repaired.
- 3
Rigid brake pipe excessively corroded 1.88% of tests
Badly corroded brake pipes can leak or fail, which can cause a loss of braking, so repair is urgent.
- 4
Stop lamp not working 1.7% of tests
A failed stop lamp means drivers behind cannot see when you brake, a safety risk that must be fixed.
- 5
Parking brake efficiency below minimum 1.69% of tests
The parking brake holds the car less well than required, so it may roll on a slope and needs repair.
- 6
Tyre tread below 1.6mm 1.44% of tests
Tread below 1.6mm is illegal and reduces grip in wet conditions, so the tyre must be replaced.
- 7
Shock absorber serious fluid leak 1.29% of tests
A shock absorber leaking heavily has likely lost its damping, so the car will handle and brake less safely.
- 8
Diesel engine warning light faulty 1.12% of tests
A lit or non-working engine warning light can hide faults, so diagnosis is needed before buying.
Most common advisories
Not a fail yet, but worth pricing in: these show up on a Mercedes-Benz R-Class's MOT certificate most often.
- Engine oil leak, not excessive16.33%
- Tyre worn close to legal limit13.08%
- Brake pipes corroded and greasy12.48%
- Brake disc pitted or scored5.63%
- Brake pads wearing thin4.51%
- Shock absorber light oil misting4.36%
Before you buy
What to check on a used Mercedes-Benz R-Class
- 1
CV joint boot split or insecure
A split CV boot lets dirt in and grease out, so the joint wears and may need full replacement.
- 2
Position lamp not working
A failed position lamp makes the car harder to see in poor light and is illegal, so it must be repaired.
- 3
Rigid brake pipe excessively corroded
Badly corroded brake pipes can leak or fail, which can cause a loss of braking, so repair is urgent.
- 4
Stop lamp not working
A failed stop lamp means drivers behind cannot see when you brake, a safety risk that must be fixed.
- 5
Every MOT since new
Look for the faults above coming back year after year: it shows how the car has been looked after.
- 6
The mileage record
A typical Mercedes-Benz R-Class covers about 9,500 miles a year. A big gap or a drop between MOTs is a warning sign.
- 7
Finance, stolen and write-off
The records the MOT can't show. A Full Check (£9.99) covers all three before you hand over any money.
Fuel types tested
- Diesel93.2%
- Petrol6.6%
- LPG0.1%
Most common colours
Silver, Black, White, Blue, Grey
Average engine size: 3.2 litres.
Compare
How the Mercedes-Benz R-Class compares with its rivals
| Model | Fail rate | Against same-age cars |
|---|---|---|
| Bentley Bentayga | 4.2% | 73% fewer MOT fails than the average car its age |
| Audi Q8 | 7.5% | 51% fewer MOT fails than the average car its age |
| Mercedes-Benz GL-Class | 17.8% | 46% fewer MOT fails than the average car its age |
| Mercedes-Benz G-Class | 13.7% | 39% fewer MOT fails than the average car its age |
| Mercedes-Benz GLS | 11.1% | 36% fewer MOT fails than the average car its age |
| Mercedes-Benz R-Class | 27.2% | 34% fewer MOT fails than the average car its age |
| SsangYong Rexton | 35.6% | 36% more MOT fails than the average car its age |
Every large suv ranked in the large suv reliability index, or all Mercedes-Benz models.
Questions
Mercedes-Benz R-Class questions, answered
Is the Mercedes-Benz R-Class reliable?
On MOT results, the Mercedes-Benz R-Class is better than average: it fails 27.2% of first MOT tests, 34% fewer MOT fails than the average car its age and mileage. It ranks 14 of 30 large suv models in our index.
What fails most on a Mercedes-Benz R-Class MOT?
The most common MOT failures on the Mercedes-Benz R-Class are cv joint boot split or insecure (3.22% of tests), position lamp not working (3.14% of tests), rigid brake pipe excessively corroded (1.88% of tests). By area, lights and electrics fails 11% of its tests.
Which Mercedes-Benz R-Class year is the most reliable?
Among years with 1,000+ tests, 2011 cars do best (57% fewer MOT fails than the average car its age) and 2007 cars do worst (20% fewer MOT fails than the average car its age).
How many miles does a Mercedes-Benz R-Class do a year?
A typical Mercedes-Benz R-Class covers about 9,500 miles a year, from the mileage recorded at its MOTs. Check the car you're looking at against that with a free mileage check.
How do I check a Mercedes-Benz R-Class before I buy it?
Enter its registration for a free check of its MOT history, mileage, ULEZ status and tax. Before you pay, a Full Check (£9.99) shows outstanding finance, stolen and write-off records.
Source: DVSA anonymised MOT test results, 2022 to 2024, class 4 vehicles aged 3 to 25, normal tests only. How we compare like with like: our methodology.
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