2007 Mercedes-Benz R-Class — MOT failures & pass rate
The 2007 Mercedes-Benz R-Class passed 77.1% of its 2,545 recorded MOT tests. Against MPVs of a similar age (29.0% fail rate), the 2007 R-Class comes out 6.2pp better. Failures cluster in lighting & signalling, brakes and suspension.
What the MOT record shows
No single area dominates — lighting & signalling (12.7%) and brakes (12.3%) are close, so failures are spread across several systems rather than one weak point.
At component level the recurring items are position lamp, rigid brake pipes and headlamp aim — position lamp alone was recorded 135 times.
Mileage matters less than usual here: the 2007 R-Class fails 20.8% of the time in the 30-60k band and 22.6% at 150k+, a spread of only 1.8 points.
Brakes is the most common advisory, noted on 36.2% of tests — work that passed today but is likely due soon.
How it compares
Top failure categories
| # | Category | % of tests affected | Tests |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Lighting & signalling | 12.7% | 322 |
| 2 | Brakes | 12.3% | 314 |
| 3 | Suspension | 5.6% | 143 |
| 4 | Emissions & environmental | 5.5% | 140 |
| 5 | Tyres | 4.8% | 122 |
| 6 | Body, structure & corrosion | 4.4% | 111 |
Most common specific failures
The exact components most often recorded as failures — more specific than the categories above.
| # | Failure item | Times recorded |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Position lamp | 135 |
| 2 | Rigid brake pipes | 111 |
| 3 | Headlamp aim | 101 |
| 4 | Joints | 96 |
| 5 | Flexible brake hoses | 95 |
| 6 | Rbt (sp) | 92 |
Top advisory categories
Advisories aren't failures, but they flag work likely needed soon — useful when budgeting.
| # | Category | % of tests with advisory | Tests |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Brakes | 36.2% | 921 |
| 2 | Emissions & environmental | 31.6% | 805 |
| 3 | Tyres | 23.8% | 606 |
| 4 | Suspension | 19.5% | 496 |
| 5 | Body, structure & corrosion | 13.2% | 335 |
| 6 | Lighting & signalling | 9.9% | 253 |
Failure rate by mileage
Higher-mileage cars tend to fail more — often the most useful guide to real condition.
| Mileage band | Tests | Fail rate |
|---|---|---|
| 30-60k | 77 | 20.8% |
| 60-90k | 327 | 21.4% |
| 90-120k | 716 | 22.2% |
| 120-150k | 770 | 23.8% |
| 150k+ | 637 | 22.6% |
Failure rate by age
By fuel type
| Fuel | Tests | Fail rate |
|---|---|---|
| Diesel | 2,233 | 23.6% |
| Petrol | 312 | 17.6% |
Trend over time
| Dataset year | Tests | Fail rate |
|---|---|---|
| 2021 | 719 | 22.1% |
| 2022 | 627 | 22.8% |
| 2023 | 514 | 23.4% |
| 2024 | 382 | 23.6% |
| 2025 | 303 | 23.1% |
What to check before buying a 2007 R-Class
The failure pattern for this year is specific enough to inspect against: lighting & signalling accounted for 12.7% of tests. Start there.
- Lighting & signalling (12.7% of tests): Often a cheap bulb, but persistent issues can mean wiring or corrosion in the units. Typical repair: £10–£150.
- Brakes (12.3% of tests): Pads/discs are routine wear; binding, imbalance or corroded pipes are more serious — test for pulling under braking. Typical repair: £100–£350 per axle.
- Suspension (5.6% of tests): Worn drop links, bushes, springs or shocks — listen for knocks over bumps and check for uneven tyre wear. Typical repair: £150–£450 per corner.
Repair costs are rough UK ballpark ranges to set expectations, not quotes — actual prices vary widely by car, parts and garage.
Frequently asked questions
How many 2007 Mercedes-Benz R-Classs pass their MOT?
77.1% of the 2,545 2007 Mercedes-Benz R-Class MOT tests in this dataset passed — a 22.9% fail rate.
What is the most common MOT failure on a 2007 Mercedes-Benz R-Class?
Lighting & signalling, recorded in 12.7% of tests, followed by brakes (12.3%).
Does the 2007 R-Class get worse with mileage?
Its MOT fail rate rises from 20.8% in the 30-60k band to 22.6% in the 150k+ band.
Methodology & source. Based on 2,545 MOT tests. Dataset: DVSA MOT testing data (2021,2022,2023,2024,2025). Data last updated 2026-07-27. Figures reflect MOT-testable defects only — read the methodology for how these are calculated and what they don't measure.