Used car guide

2007 Mercedes-Benz R-Class petrol: common problems and MOT failures

What MOT testers find on the petrol Mercedes-Benz R-Class first registered in 2007 (petrol cars only): we looked at the 150 MOTs these cars had during 2023–2025. Plus known faults and what to look at before you buy one.

Small sample: there were only 150 MOTs of these cars during 2023–2025, so treat the percentages as rough. The known faults below don't depend on it.

150MOTs of 2007 petrol cars, done in 2023–2025
74%pass first time (all 2007 cars: 57%)
6,000typical miles a year
2×the usual rate for engine oil leaks

What goes wrong more than usual on a 2007 Mercedes-Benz R-Class petrol?

Parts flagged at MOT more often on the 2007 Mercedes-Benz R-Class petrol than on all cars registered in 2007.

  • Engine oil leaks2× usual
    Mercedes-Benz R-Class
    24.7% All 2007 cars
    12.2%

    Failed outright at MOT: 0%, against 0.4% of all 2007 cars. The rest were advisories or minor defects.

    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.

Common 2007 Mercedes-Benz R-Class petrol MOT failures and advisories

The share of 2007 Mercedes-Benz R-Class petrol MOT tests where testers flagged each area, as a fail or an advisory. Rough prices are typical independent-garage costs.

  • Brakes
    31% of testsRough price £150–£350

    At the viewing: Look for a lip on the disc edges and feel for judder or pulling when braking firmly from about 40mph.

  • Oil and fluid leaks
    27% of testsRough price £80–£600

    At the viewing: Look under the engine and on the ground where the car is usually parked for fresh oil or fluid.

  • Suspension
    22% of testsRough price £120–£400

    At the viewing: Listen for knocks over speed bumps, and look behind each front wheel for a snapped coil spring.

  • Tyres
    18% of testsRough price £70–£150

    At the viewing: Check the tread on all four tyres, including the inside edges, and look for cracks or bulges.

  • Lights and electrics
    15% of testsRough price £10–£80

    At the viewing: Ask a friend to check every light, including brake lights and indicators, while you operate them.

  • Driveshafts and joints
    8% of testsRough price £60–£350

    At the viewing: On full steering lock, drive slowly and listen for clicking from the front wheels.

Questions to ask the seller before buying a 2007 Mercedes-Benz R-Class petrol

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

  1. Any recent work on the engine oil leaks? (Flagged at MOT 2× as often on the 2007 Mercedes-Benz R-Class petrol as on other cars the same age.)
  2. 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, mileage and what to ask the seller. Free, no sign-up.

Other years

Every year of the Mercedes-Benz R-Class compared

YearMOT testsMost flagged
2013446Brakes 26%
2012805Tyres 26%
20111,044Brakes 34%
2010648Brakes 35%
2009521Brakes 41%
2008810Brakes 44%
2006900Brakes 40%

Where this comes from: the DVSA's anonymised results for every MOT test done in Great Britain during 2023–2025, counting the MOTs of Mercedes-Benz R-Class cars first registered in 2007. "Flagged" includes advisories, so it isn't the same as a fail rate. How we score