Used car guide · 2006–2013

Mercedes-Benz R-Class common problems and MOT failures

What goes wrong on a used Mercedes-Benz R-Class, year by year: known faults from UK buying guides, the parts flagged at MOT more than on other cars (from 6,157 MOTs done during 2023–2025), and what to check before you buy one.

6,157MOTs done in 2023–2025, all years of this model
2,091on the UK register
2008best year at its MOT

Pick the year

Most years have their own guide. The year is when the car was first registered (it’s on the logbook, or check the reg below).

20132012201120102009200820072006

What usually goes wrong with a Mercedes-Benz R-Class?

We haven’t found widely reported faults for the Mercedes-Benz R-Class in the UK buying guides we use yet. That doesn’t mean it has none, so check the car carefully and look at the MOT weak spots below.

Common Mercedes-Benz R-Class MOT failures to check

Parts flagged at MOT well above the usual rate for cars the same age, for each fuel on its own. From the DVSA’s results for every MOT done in Great Britain during 2023–2025.

Diesel

  • Engine oil leaks

    up to 2.7× usual

    Stands out on cars registered in 2006 and 2007.

    Rough price £80–£600 our estimate

    At the viewing: Look under the engine and where the car is usually parked for fresh oil. Ask whether the leak has been looked at.

  • Drive shaft (CV) joints

    up to 2.4× usual

    Stands out on cars registered in 2006 and 2007.

    Rough price £60–£350 our estimate

    At the viewing: Drive slowly on full steering lock in both directions and listen for clicking. Look for split rubber boots behind the front wheels.

  • Diesel smoke emissions

    up to 4.6× usual

    Stands out on cars registered in 2007.

    Rough price £175–£900 (catalytic converter) ClickMechanic

    At the viewing: Look for smoke when revving the warm engine and for engine or DPF warning lights.

  • Rigid brake pipes

    up to 2.3× usual

    Stands out on cars registered in 2007.

    Rough price £100–£400 our estimate

    At the viewing: Ask to see underneath, or check the MOT advisories: corroded brake or fuel pipes get worse every year and fail the MOT when they do.

Mercedes-Benz R-Class MOT pass rate by year

Of the years since 2005 with plenty of MOT tests, the 2008 Mercedes-Benz R-Class did best (71% passed first time, 14 points above all 2008 cars) and the 2007 did worst (64%, 7 points above all 2007 cars). Older cars fail more, so compare each year with all cars registered the same year.

YearPass first timeAll cars that yearMOT tests
201376%67% +9446 (small sample)
201274%64% +10805
201171%62% +91,044
201070%60% +10648
200968%59% +9521
200871%57% +14810
200764%57% +7983
200669%56% +13900

Questions to ask the seller before buying a Mercedes-Benz R-Class

Ask before you travel to see it. A seller who knows the car will have answers, and receipts.

  1. Any recent work on the drive shaft (cv) joints? (Flagged at MOT 4.7× as often on the Mercedes-Benz R-Class as on other cars the same age.)
  2. Any recent work on the engine oil leaks? (Flagged at MOT 3.3× as often on the Mercedes-Benz R-Class as on other cars the same age.)
  3. Any recent work on the rigid brake pipes? (Flagged at MOT 3.3× as often on the Mercedes-Benz R-Class as on other cars the same age.)
  4. Can I see the service history and receipts for any big jobs?

Looking at a Mercedes-Benz R-Class?

Check the actual car: its own MOT history, whether it already shows these weak spots and what to ask the seller. Free, no sign-up.

Where this comes from: MOT figures are the DVSA’s anonymised results for every MOT test done in Great Britain during 2023–2025, grouped by the year each car was first registered. How many are on the road is from the Department for Transport’s vehicle licensing statistics. Known faults are from UK buying guides, in our own words, with links. How we score