2012 · 12 years old at test · Diesel mostly

2012 Mercedes-Benz R-Class MOT pass rate and common faults

273 MOT tests in 2024. 72.9% passed first time, compared with 64.3% for all cars the same age.

113Well above average
Passed first time72.9%
Failed or needed repairs27.1%
Typical mileage at test103,000

Most common reasons for failing

Share of all 273 tests where this item caused a failure.

  1. Joints: constant velocity boot split or insecure, no longer prevents the ingress of dirt7.3%
  2. Position lamp: not working4.4%
  3. Malfunction indicator lamp: inoperative or indicates a malfunction3.3%
  4. Rbt (sp): efficiency below requirements3.3%
  5. Tyres - condition: has a cut in excess of the requirements deep enough to reach the ply or cords1.5%
  6. Coil spring: fractured or broken1.1%
  7. Side repeaters: not working1.1%
  8. Headlamp aim: too low1.1%
  9. Decelerometer (sp): efficiency below requirements1.1%

Problem areas

Failure items found per 100 tests, by part of the car.

  1. Brakes11.7%
  2. Lights & electrics9.9%
  3. Body & chassis8.8%
  4. Emissions & leaks4.8%
  5. Tyres4.0%
  6. Suspension2.6%
  7. Visibility (wipers, screen, mirrors)1.5%
  8. Seat belts & airbags0.7%

Most common advisories

Not failures yet, but things the tester warned about.

  1. Tread depth below requirements of 1.6mm19.8%
  2. Engine oil leaks: leaking excessively from engine11.4%
  3. Rigid brake pipes: excessively corroded9.9%
  4. Brake discs: in such a condition that it is seriously weakened8.8%
  5. Tyres - condition: has a tear, caused by separation or partial failure of its structure5.5%

What this means if you are buying one

This model year does better than most cars its age, so it is a reasonable used buy on MOT record alone. Before buying, check the area that fails most: joints: constant velocity boot split or insecure, no longer prevents the ingress of dirt. Then look up the car's own MOT history on GOV.UK with its number plate, and look for repeat advisories.

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Questions

What is the MOT pass rate for a 2012 Mercedes-Benz R-Class?

In 2024, 72.9% of 2012 Mercedes-Benz R-Class cars passed their MOT first time, across 273 tests. The average for all 12-year-old cars was 64.3%.

What are the most common MOT failures on a 2012 Mercedes-Benz R-Class?

The most common failure reasons were joints: constant velocity boot split or insecure, no longer prevents the ingress of dirt; position lamp: not working; malfunction indicator lamp: inoperative or indicates a malfunction. The biggest problem area was brakes.

Is the 2012 Mercedes-Benz R-Class reliable at MOT time?

Its MOT Rank score is 113, which is well above average for a car of its age (100 means exactly average).