Mercedes-Benz R-Class
Registered from 2004 to 2016.
About this model
The Mercedes-Benz R-Class is a mid-size luxury MPV introduced by Mercedes-Benz in 2005 for the 2006 model year. Following the success of the smaller A- and B-Class MPVs, Mercedes in collaboration with coachbuilder Stola presented a concept vehicle, Vision GST, at the 2002 Detroit Auto Show and a second one, Vision R presented at the 2004 Detroit Auto Show, subsequently introducing the production version at 2005 New York International Auto Show. The R-Class was manufactured in Vance, Alabama until 2015 when its production was shifted to Mishawaka, Indiana for a smaller volume production until 2017.
From the Wikipedia article Mercedes-Benz R-Class, licensed under CC BY-SA 4.0.
What fails its inspection
Great Britain's MOT record for the 2007 3.0 diesel. 107 of 443 tests failed, 24%.
Better than 64% of 2007 cars. The typical one fails 27%, across 935 models with enough tests behind them to say.
| Where | Share of failures | Failed tests |
|---|---|---|
| Brakes | 50% | 54 |
| Lights and electrics | 37% | 40 |
| Suspension | 29% | 31 |
| Tyres and wheels | 26% | 28 |
| Body and structure | 21% | 22 |
| Exhaust and emissions | 19% | 20 |
The defects inspectors cite
- A transmission shaft constant velocity joint boot missing or no longer prevents the ingress of dirt etc
- Parking brake efficiency below minimum requirement
- A lamp missing, inoperative or in the case of a multiple light source more than 1/2 not functioning
- A shock absorber damaged to the extent that it does not function or showing signs of severe leakage
- The aim of a headlamp is not within limits laid down in the requirements
- A suspension pin, bush or joint excessively worn
Before you buy one
Built from what this car fails on, not from general knowledge of the model.
- Brakes — 50% of its failures
- Parking brake efficiency below minimum requirement
- Suspension — 29% of its failures
- A shock absorber damaged to the extent that it does not function or showing signs of severe leakage
- A suspension pin, bush or joint excessively worn
- Tyres and wheels — 26% of its failures
- A tyre seriously damaged
- Exhaust and emissions — 19% of its failures
- Lights and electrics — 37% of its failures
- A lamp missing, inoperative or in the case of a multiple light source more than 1/2 not functioning
- A direction indicator lamp missing, inoperative or in the case of a multiple light source more than 1/2 not functioning
- Body and structure — 21% of its failures
When it starts failing
At 180–200k miles this one fails 17% of its inspections, against the 30% an ordinary car of the same age fails.
| Odometer | Failure rate | Rate | Its age | Tests |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 80–100k miles | 18% | 27% | 49 | |
| 100–120k miles | 23% | 29% | 82 | |
| 120–140k miles | 28% | 30% | 101 | |
| 140–160k miles | 22% | 30% | 76 | |
| 160–180k miles | 31% | 30% | 42 | |
| 180–200k miles | 17% | 30% | 36 |
386 British inspections, grouped by the odometer reading recorded at the test.
Half of these have more than 120k miles on them. That is how far people drive this car, not how long it lasts.
Specification
| Year | Measured |
|---|---|
| 2012 | 3.0 diesel · 261 hp · 2306 kg · 3139 mm wheelbase · 8.4 L/100km (NEDC) |
| 2011 | 3.0 diesel · 261 hp · 2299 kg · 3106 mm wheelbase · 8.5 L/100km (NEDC) |
| 2010 | 3.0 diesel · 2294 kg · 3104 mm wheelbase · 8.8 L/100km (NEDC) |
Recalls
Filed by the manufacturer with a regulator. A recall is repaired free of charge, whoever owns the car now.
A12/00830/22
Severe corrosion may lead to a leakage of the brake booster, thus reducing the braking force, leading to an increase in brake pedal force required to decelerate the vehicle, resulting in a possible increase in stopping distance. Moreover, due to severe corrosion, a particularly strong or severe braking manoeuvre may cause mechanical damage to the brake booster, preventing the vehicle from decelerating through the service brake and thus increasing the risk of an accident. The product does not comply with the requirements laid down in the Regulation on the approval and market surveillance of motor vehicles and their trailers, and of systems, components and separate technical units intended for such vehicles.
Recall of the product from end users
A12/01236/20
The driver and passenger airbags of the company Takata in vehicles with ammonium nitrate gas generators without drying agents could, under certain climate conditions, lead over time to a chemical change in the fuel.In the event of an accident triggering the release of the driver or passenger airbag, this change could cause the gas generators to burst. If a gas generator ruptures, the airbag would then have no restraining function and loose parts from the gas generator could reach the vehicle interior. This would increase the risk of injury for passengers.
Recall of the product from end users