Does the Mercedes-Benz R-Class fail the MOT on suspension more than it should?
The Mercedes-Benz R-Class records 6.39 suspension failure items per 100 initial MOT tests (2019–2024), against 26.40 expected for a car of the same age mix: less than expected for its class and age (−20.01, 95% interval −21.01 to −19.01). It ranks 682 of 701 models on suspension (1 = most failures above expected).
Data release dvsa-2024-v2 (24 Sep 2026) · page updated 30 Sep 2026 · all models on suspension · check a Mercedes-Benz R-Class by registration
What exactly fails on suspension?
The most frequent DVSA defect wording in this group on the Mercedes-Benz R-Class is “A shock absorber damaged to the extent that it does not function or showing signs of severe leakage”, recorded 191 times in 2019–2024.
| DVSA defect wording | Items | Per 100 tests |
|---|---|---|
| A shock absorber damaged to the extent that it does not function or showing signs of severe leakage | 191 | 1.87 |
| A suspension pin, bush or joint excessively worn | 157 | 1.54 |
| A spring or spring component fractured or seriously weakened | 102 | 1.00 |
| A suspension joint dust cover severely deteriorated | 56 | 0.55 |
| A suspension joint dust cover missing or no longer prevents the ingress of dirt etc | 32 | 0.31 |
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
If a Mercedes-Benz R-Class gets a suspension advisory, how often does it fail next time?
7.6% of Mercedes-Benz R-Class MOTs with a suspension advisory were followed by a fail in the same group at the next MOT, typically 12 months and 5,586 miles later (898 advisories followed).
Source: DVSA MOT bulk data (OGL v3.0) · Window: 2019–2024 · n = 898 (advisories followed) · Method: the same vehicles followed to their next ordinary MOT · 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 lamps, reflectors and electrics 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 tyres failures · Mercedes-Benz R-Class visibility failures