Does the Mercedes-Benz R-Class fail the MOT on lamps, reflectors and electrics more than it should?
The Mercedes-Benz R-Class records 18.62 lamps, reflectors and electrics failure items per 100 initial MOT tests (2019–2024), against 30.22 expected for a car of the same age mix: less than expected for its class and age (−11.60, 95% interval −12.67 to −10.54). It ranks 630 of 729 models on lamps, reflectors and electrics (1 = most failures above expected).
Data release dvsa-2024-v2 (24 Sep 2026) · page updated 30 Sep 2026 · all models on lamps, reflectors and electrics · check a Mercedes-Benz R-Class by registration
What exactly fails on lamps, reflectors and electrics?
The most frequent DVSA defect wording in this group on the Mercedes-Benz R-Class is “A lamp missing, inoperative or in the case of a multiple light source more than 1/2 not functioning”, recorded 335 times in 2019–2024.
| DVSA defect wording | Items | Per 100 tests |
|---|---|---|
| A lamp missing, inoperative or in the case of a multiple light source more than 1/2 not functioning | 335 | 3.28 |
| A rear registration plate lamp or light source missing or inoperative in the case of multiple lamps or light sources | 254 | 2.49 |
| Stop lamp missing, inoperative or in the case of a multiple light source more than 1/2 not functioning | 162 | 1.59 |
| The aim of a headlamp is not within limits laid down in the requirements | 160 | 1.57 |
| A headlamp or light source missing, inoperative or more than ½ not functioning in the case of LED | 117 | 1.15 |
Source: DVSA MOT bulk data (OGL v3.0) · Window: 2019–2024 · n = 10,206 (initial tests) · Method: failure items (major and minor) grouped by DVSA's defect tree; wordings with 30+ items · Updated: 30 Sep 2026 · Release: dvsa-2024-v2 · CSV
Other pages for this model
Mercedes-Benz R-Class 2006 · Mercedes-Benz R-Class 2007 · Mercedes-Benz R-Class 2008 · Mercedes-Benz R-Class 2009 · Mercedes-Benz R-Class 2010 · Mercedes-Benz R-Class 2011 · Mercedes-Benz R-Class by postcode area · Mercedes-Benz R-Class body, chassis and structure failures · Mercedes-Benz R-Class brakes failures · Mercedes-Benz R-Class vehicle identification failures · Mercedes-Benz R-Class noise, emissions and leaks failures · Mercedes-Benz R-Class road wheels failures · Mercedes-Benz R-Class seat belts and airbags failures · Mercedes-Benz R-Class steering failures · Mercedes-Benz R-Class suspension failures · Mercedes-Benz R-Class tyres failures · Mercedes-Benz R-Class visibility failures