Used car guide

2012 Mercedes-Benz R-Class: common problems and what to check

What gets flagged at MOT on 2012 Mercedes-Benz R-Classs, from 254 tests in 2025, plus known faults and what to look at before you buy one.

Small sample: only 254 of these were MOT tested in 2025, so treat the percentages as rough. The known faults below don't depend on it.

254MOT tests in 2025
70%pass first time (all 2012 cars: 63%)
8,400typical miles a year
4.2×the usual rate for drive shaft (cv) joints

What stands out

Parts flagged at MOT more often on 2012 Mercedes-Benz R-Classs than on all cars registered in 2012.

  • Drive shaft (CV) joints4.2× usual
    Mercedes-Benz R-Class
    18.5% All 2012 cars
    4.4%

    Failed outright at MOT: 6.7%, against 2.1% of all 2012 cars. The rest were advisories or minor defects.

    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.

  • Engine oil leaks2.2× usual
    Mercedes-Benz R-Class
    16.1% All 2012 cars
    7.3%

    Failed outright at MOT: 0.4%, against 0.2% of all 2012 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 pipes2.3× usual
    Mercedes-Benz R-Class
    12.6% All 2012 cars
    5.5%

    Failed outright at MOT: 2.8%, against 0.8% of all 2012 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 2012 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
    25% 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.

  • Tyres
    25% 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.

  • Driveshafts and joints
    19% of testsRough price £60–£350

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

  • Suspension
    18% 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.

  • Oil and fluid leaks
    18% 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
    12% of testsRough price £10–£80

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

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Other years

YearMOT testsMost flagged
2013148Brakes 29%
2011322Brakes 37%
2010187Brakes 33%
2009132Brakes 45%
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 2012 Mercedes-Benz R-Classs registered in 2012. "Flagged" includes advisories, so it isn't the same as a fail rate. How we score