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Mercedes-Benz R-Class reliability by build year

Coverage 2006-20131 named generationMPVDIESEL

We've only got 387 MOT tests for Mercedes-Benz R-Class models built around 2012 (13 years old). Treat these numbers as a rough guide.

Not enough data

Mercedes-Benz R-Class built around 2012: not enough MOT data yet

We've only seen a handful of Mercedes-Benz R-Class models built around 2012 so far. Too few to spot a pattern yet.

Check a Mercedes-Benz R-Class by number plate

Key figure

Check a car’s number plate to see its own MOT record, or come back when there’s more MOT history.

Before you view it

What to check before viewing

The Mercedes-Benz R-Class's most common MOT issues, turned into things to ask about or look for.

Brake pipes and hoses

High priority

Look under the car for corrosion or chafing on the rigid brake pipes near the rear axle.

Tyres

Worth checking

Check tread depth across the full width on all four; uneven wear suggests alignment or suspension issues.

Leaks

Worth checking

Inspect the leaks carefully and ask the seller for repair history.

Drivetrain

Worth checking

Inspect the drivetrain carefully and ask the seller for repair history.

Suspension bushes and joints

Worth checking

Listen for knocks over speed bumps and ask about recent control-arm or anti-roll-bar work.

Vehicle-specific check

Worth checking

Check the car’s number plate on MOT Wise to see its own MOT history and any recalls for its build years.

By build year

How build years differ

Fail rates have been steady over the last three years. Use the build-year guide below to separate newer build years from older ones.

Find your R-Class's generation

Each card below is a different generation. Select your year and we'll highlight the match.

R-Class W251

W251 (2006-2013)

Not enough tests to rate
DIESELPETROL

19.0% fail rate, built around 2013 (12 years old)

Likely between 14.7% and 24.2%

Fails less often than the average car this age (about 1 in 4 MOTs, 26.3%)

From 258 MOT tests at this ageView details →

Not sure which one you're looking at?

Match your build year to its generation, then see the fail rates for those build years of the Mercedes-Benz R-Class.

See every build year for the Mercedes-Benz R-Class

By age

Mercedes-Benz R-Class fail rate by age

This chart combines every Mercedes-Benz R-Class ever sold. It's good for the big picture. For one generation, scroll up to the build-year cards.

Below typicalAbove typicalHigh (28% or more)Highest fail rate
Age / builtFail rateMOT tests
12 yearsbuilt around 2013
25819.0%
13 yearsbuilt around 2012
38724.6%
14 yearsbuilt around 2011
33619.9%
15 yearsbuilt around 2010
17923.5%
16 yearsbuilt around 2009
20426.5%
17 yearsbuilt around 2008
26024.2%
18 yearsbuilt around 2007
31725.2%
19 yearsbuilt around 2006
7720.8%

Fail rate is the share of MOT tests that ended in a fail. Retests count as tests. How we count fail rates Build years are worked out from age, so they are approximate. Tests counted are 2025 MOTs. Highest fail rate at 16 years old.

All generations of this model

What goes wrong most often on 13-year-old Mercedes-Benz R-Class models

These issues come from 13-year-old Mercedes-Benz R-Class models, every generation combined.

All generations of this modelNot enough data

Most common advisories and fails

In order of the share of MOT tests that recorded each one

  1. 1
    Advisory

    Tyre worn close to the legal limit or worn on the edge

    21.7%
    Advisory: 137Fail: 5 (4% of the times it was found)
  2. 2
    Advisory

    Oil leak, but not excessive

    19.9%
    Advisory: 77Fail: 3 (4% of the times it was found)
  3. 3
    Advisory

    Brake pipe corroded or covered in grease

    16.8%
    Advisory: 83Fail: 7 (8% of the times it was found)
  4. 4
    Minor

    Drive shaft joint cover badly deteriorated

    12.1%
    Advisory: 0Fail: 0 (0% of the times it was found)
  5. 5
    Advisory

    Suspension arm pin or bush worn, but not moving too much

    8.8%
    Advisory: 48Fail: 4 (8% of the times it was found)

Based on 387 MOT tests on 13-year-old Mercedes-Benz R-Class models, every generation combined.

All generations of this model

Issues that often appear together

The pairs seen most often when an MOT on 13-year-old Mercedes-Benz R-Class models notes problems with more than one part of the car.

Issues that often appear together on this model

All generations of this modelNot much data
  1. Brakes + Tyres28%
  2. Brakes + Fuel & oil25%
  3. Brakes + Suspension21%
  4. Brakes + Drivetrain20%

Both were noted at the same test. That doesn't mean one caused the other.

Across 178 MOT tests on Mercedes-Benz R-Class cars built around 2012 (13 years old) where more than one part of the car was noted.

Still registered

How many are still registered, and recalls

How many of these are still registered in the UK, and what's been recalled across the model.

How many are still registered

Not enough registration data to show this for the Mercedes-Benz R-Class.

The share still registered can reflect demand, the cost of repairs, exports, write-offs and how owners use the car. It isn't proof of how long the car lasts mechanically.

Recall context

12 recalls in all

5 of the 12 Mercedes-Benz R-Class recalls cover cars built in these years.

  • 5 recalls

Top concerns

  • The function of the brake booster might be affected due to advanced corrosion in the joint area of its housing.
  • The driver's air bag may have a chemical change to its propellant over time
  • Fuel may leak

For the exact car, check GOV.UK's recall checker with the number plate.

Like-for-like

Other people carriers to compare

Other people carriers to compare

  1. 1

    Toyota Estima

    Same body type, tested at the same age

    Fail rate
    17.5%
    Fail, no pass in 3 days
    3.6%
    Dangerous
    3.7%

    Lower fail rate: 17.5%, against 24.5% for the Mercedes-Benz R-Class, both built around 2012.

    2,086 MOT tests on cars built around 2012

  2. 2

    Toyota Verso

    Same body type, tested at the same age

    Fail rate
    26.4%
    Fail, no pass in 3 days
    4.8%
    Dangerous
    5.2%
    Still registered at 10 years
    90%

    Fewer fails still not passed 3 days later: 4.8%, against 10.3% for the Mercedes-Benz R-Class.

    2 critical recall campaigns matching this model/build period.

    4,281 MOT tests on cars built around 2012

  3. 3

    Volkswagen Touran

    Same body type, tested at the same age

    Fail rate
    24.8%
    Fail, no pass in 3 days
    4.8%
    Dangerous
    7.2%
    Still registered at 10 years
    92.6%

    Fewer fails still not passed 3 days later: 4.8%, against 10.3% for the Mercedes-Benz R-Class.

    3 critical recall campaigns matching this model/build period.

    7,615 MOT tests on cars built around 2012

  4. 4

    Skoda Roomster

    Same body type, tested at the same age

    Fail rate
    25.7%
    Fail, no pass in 3 days
    4.7%
    Dangerous
    5.8%
    Still registered at 10 years
    96.4%

    Fewer fails still not passed 3 days later: 4.7%, against 10.3% for the Mercedes-Benz R-Class.

    2,761 MOT tests on cars built around 2012

Fail rate
= the share of MOT tests that ended in a fail. Retests count as tests.
Fail, no pass in 3 days
= the share of MOT tests that failed and still hadn't passed 3 days later. A fail that passed a retest within 3 days, even the same day, isn't counted.
Dangerous
= the share of MOT tests where the tester marked a fault as dangerous. It is against the law to drive the car until it is fixed.
Still registered at 10 years
= the share of cars still registered (taxed or declared off the road) 10 years after they were first registered.

Common questions

Frequently asked questions

Built around 2012 (13 years old), the Mercedes-Benz R-Class across all generations combined fails MOTs noticeably less often than typical for this age. This is based on 387 13-year-old MOT tests from DVSA data. Each retest counts as a test.

These figures come from DVSA's MOT records. Across every Mercedes-Benz R-Class ever sold: 2,018 tests. The main figures are for cars built around 2012 (13 years old): 387 tests. They are a guide, not a guarantee. Always inspect the car or have a mechanic check it.