Used car guide

2009 Mercedes-Benz R-Class: common problems and what to check

What gets flagged at MOT on 2009 Mercedes-Benz R-Classs, from 132 tests in 2025, plus known faults and what to look at before you buy one.

Small sample: only 132 of these were MOT tested in 2025, so treat the percentages as rough. The known faults below don't depend on it.

132MOT tests in 2025
65%pass first time (all 2009 cars: 58%)
7,800typical miles a year
3.2×the usual rate for engine oil leaks

What stands out

Parts flagged at MOT more often on 2009 Mercedes-Benz R-Classs than on all cars registered in 2009.

  • Engine oil leaks3.2× usual
    Mercedes-Benz R-Class
    33.3% All 2009 cars
    10.4%

    Failed outright at MOT: 0%, against 0.3% of all 2009 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.

  • Rigid brake pipes3.4× usual
    Mercedes-Benz R-Class
    25.8% All 2009 cars
    7.5%

    Failed outright at MOT: 2.3%, against 1.2% of all 2009 cars. The rest were advisories or minor defects.

    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.

By area

The share of 2009 Mercedes-Benz R-Class MOT tests where testers flagged each area, as a fail or an advisory. Rough prices are typical independent-garage costs.

  • Brakes
    45% 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
    38% 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.

  • Lights and electrics
    30% of testsRough price £10–£80

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

  • Tyres
    29% 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.

  • Suspension
    24% 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.

  • Driveshafts and joints
    20% of testsRough price £60–£350

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

Looking at a Mercedes-Benz R-Class?

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Other years

YearMOT testsMost flagged
2013148Brakes 29%
2012254Brakes 25%
2011322Brakes 37%
2010187Brakes 33%
2008225Brakes 44%
2007248Brakes 42%
2006218Brakes 39%

Where this comes from: the DVSA's anonymised results for every MOT test in Great Britain in 2025, counting tests of 2009 Mercedes-Benz R-Classs registered in 2009. "Flagged" includes advisories, so it isn't the same as a fail rate. How we score