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Mercedes-Benz R-Class statistics

How many Mercedes-Benz R-Classes are still on the road in Great Britain, how many are declared off the road, how new registrations have changed and which fuels they use. Built from DVLA licensing records and 1,766 DVSA MOT tests.

Last updated
Records analysed
2,033 R-Class records (licensed and SORN)
Methodology
View methodology
  • Licensed in Great Britain 1,366 −14.8% on a year earlier
  • Declared SORN 667 Off the road, not taxed
  • MOT first-time pass rate, 2025 72.3% Cars of the same ages 61.2%
  • Rank by number licensed No. 624 of 1,159 models we cover
  • Peak year 2013 3,826 licensed
  • Average annual mileage 6,834 miles a year

How many Mercedes-Benz R-Classes are left in Great Britain?

There were 1,366 Mercedes-Benz R-Classes licensed in Great Britain at the end of March 2026, and a further 667 declared off the road (SORN). That is 64.3% fewer than the peak of 3,826 in 2013.

Mercedes-Benz R-Classes licensed in Great Britain

Numbers peaked in 2013 and have fallen every year since, as older cars are scrapped faster than new ones are registered.

Mercedes-Benz R-Classes licensed in Great Britain at the end of each year
Year Licensed
2006 1,062
2007 1,969
2008 2,456
2009 2,733
2010 2,984
2011 3,361
2012 3,689
2013 3,826
2014 3,721
2015 3,675
2016 3,589
2017 3,440
2018 3,275
2019 2,994
2020 2,747
2021 2,530
2022 2,268
2023 1,935
2024 1,641
2025 1,417
2026 1,366

Source:DfT / DVLA End of March 2026 Updated

Fuel type

Source:DfT / DVLA End of March 2026 Updated

Mercedes-Benz R-Class MOT reliability

In 2025, 72.3% of Mercedes-Benz R-Class MOT tests were passed first time, against 72.8% for all cars. Cars of the same ages as the Mercedes-Benz R-Classes tested pass 61.2% of the time, so the Mercedes-Benz R-Class does better than average for its age, by 11.1 points. In 2024 its pass rate was 68.4%.

MOT first-time pass rate by age: Mercedes-Benz R-Class vs all cars

Comparing like with like: each bar pair covers cars of the same age, so an older average age does not count against a model.

MOT first-time pass rate by vehicle age, Mercedes-Benz R-Class compared with all cars
Vehicle age Mercedes-Benz R-ClassAll cars
11–14 years 74.6%65.5%
15–19 years 70.0%58.0%

Source:DVSA,UK Motoring analysis 2025 Updated

Mercedes-Benz R-Class MOT failures

Lamps, reflectors and electrical equipment is the most common reason a Mercedes-Benz R-Class fails its MOT, appearing on 41.8% of failed tests. A failed test can have defects in more than one category, so shares add up to more than 100%. 6.5% of Mercedes-Benz R-Class tests found at least one dangerous defect, against 7.3% for all cars.

Most common MOT failure categories

Share of failed Mercedes-Benz R-Class MOT tests with at least one defect in each category
Defect category Share of failed tests
Lamps, reflectors and electrical equipment 41.8%
Brakes 39.0%
Body, chassis, structure 20.4%
Noise, emissions and leaks 18.4%
Tyres 17.1%
Suspension 13.5%
Visibility 8.8%
Seat belts and supplementary restraint systems 7.1%

Source:DVSA,UK Motoring analysis 2025 Updated

Most common Mercedes-Benz R-Class MOT defects and advisories

The single most common reason a Mercedes-Benz R-Class failed its MOT in 2025 was “Parking brake efficiency below requirements”, on 16.9% of 490 failed tests. 60.9% of tests ended with at least one advisory, a problem to watch that did not fail the test; the most common was “Engine oil leak, but not excessive”. The same fault on any wheel or side counts once.

Most common reasons for failure

Share of failed tests with each defect. A test can fail for more than one.

Most common specific MOT defects on failed Mercedes-Benz R-Class tests, 2025
Defect Share of failed tests
Parking brake efficiency below requirements Brakes 16.9%
Drive shafts: constant velocity boot split or insecure, no longer prevents the ingress of dirt Body, chassis, structure 15.5%
Position lamp: not working Lamps, reflectors and electrical equipment 13.9%
Malfunction indicator lamp: inoperative or indicates a malfunction Noise, emissions and leaks 9.6%
Rigid brake pipes: excessively corroded Brakes 8.2%
Diesel engine: emissions exceed manufacturer's specified limit Noise, emissions and leaks 6.3%
Tyres: cut in excess of the requirements deep enough to reach the ply or cords Tyres 5.3%
Headlamp: not working on dipped beam Lamps, reflectors and electrical equipment 5.1%
Stop lamp: not working Lamps, reflectors and electrical equipment 5.1%
Tyres: ply or cords exposed Tyres 4.7%

Source:DVSA,UK Motoring analysis 2025 Updated

Most common advisories

Share of all tests with each advisory: worth checking on a car you are buying.

Most common MOT advisories on Mercedes-Benz R-Class tests, 2025
Advisory Share of tests
Engine oil leak, but not excessive Noise, emissions and leaks 23.3%
Tread depth: worn close to legal limit or worn on edge Tyres 18.9%
Rigid brake pipes: corroded, covered in grease or other material Brakes 18.5%
Suspension arms: pin or bush worn but not resulting in excessive movement Suspension 7.1%
Brake discs: worn, pitted or scored, but not seriously weakened Brakes 6.7%
Shock absorbers: light misting of oil Suspension 6.4%
Brake pads: wearing thin Brakes 5.8%
Tyres: slightly damaged or cracking or perishing Tyres 5.2%
Registration plates: deteriorated but not likely to be misread Identification of the vehicle 3.6%
Brake discs: worn, but not excessively Brakes 3.5%

Source:DVSA,UK Motoring analysis 2025 Updated

Mercedes-Benz R-Class annual mileage

The average Mercedes-Benz R-Class covers 6,834 miles a year, worked out from odometer readings at consecutive MOT tests.

Average annual mileage by age

Average annual mileage of a Mercedes-Benz R-Class by vehicle age
Vehicle age Miles a year
11–14 years 7,515
15–19 years 6,323

Source:DVSA,UK Motoring analysis 2025 Updated

Mercedes-Benz R-Class registrations over time

Registrations of Mercedes-Benz R-Classes for the first time in Great Britain peaked at 1,127 in 2006. In 2025, 1 were registered. With almost none registered new, the number on the road is likely to keep falling.

Registered for the first time, by year

Mercedes-Benz R-Classes registered for the first time in Great Britain, by year
Year First registrations
’01 0
’02 0
’03 0
’04 0
’05 0
’06 1,127
’07 992
’08 543
’09 320
’10 322
’11 473
’12 360
’13 175
’14 0
’15 5
’16 1
’17 1
’18 0
’19 0
’20 2
’21 2
’22 1
’23 0
’24 1
’25 1

Source:DfT / DVLA 2001 to 2025 Updated

Mercedes-Benz R-Class engine sizes and fuel types

Of the 1,456 Mercedes-Benz R-Classes licensed in the UK at the end of 2025, 92.0% have an engine of 2,901cc to 3,000cc, and 4.1% have an engine of 3,401cc to 3,500cc.

Engine sizes, end of 2025

DVLA records engine size in 100cc bands.

Mercedes-Benz R-Classes licensed in the UK at the end of 2025, by engine size
Engine size Share of those licensed
2,901cc to 3,000cc 1,340 licensed 92.0%
3,401cc to 3,500cc 60 licensed 4.1%
4,901cc to 5,000cc 40 licensed 2.7%
Other sizes 16 licensed 1.1%

Source:DfT / DVLA End of 2014 to end of 2025 Updated

Engine size and fuel together, end of 2025
Engine size Fuel Licensed Share
2,901–3,000cc Diesel 1,339 92.0%
3,401–3,500cc Petrol 57 3.9%
4,901–5,000cc Petrol 39 2.7%

Fuel type, 2014 to 2025

Share of those licensed at the end of each year.

Mercedes-Benz R-Classes licensed in the UK by fuel type, share of each year’s total
Year DieselPetrol
2014 93.8%6.1%
2015 93.8%6.1%
2016 93.9%6.0%
2017 93.5%6.3%
2018 93.8%6.0%
2019 93.8%6.0%
2020 93.8%6.0%
2021 93.8%6.0%
2022 93.4%6.4%
2023 92.9%6.9%
2024 92.7%7.1%
2025 92.2%7.5%

Source:DfT / DVLA End of 2014 to end of 2025 Updated

United Kingdom figures from DfT table VEH0220 (licensed cars at the end of each year, SORN excluded), so they differ slightly from the Great Britain counts elsewhere on this page. How we use engine sizes.

Mercedes-Benz R-Class fuel economy and CO2

The Vehicle Certification Agency’s new car data lists the Mercedes-Benz R-Class from 2007 to 2013. On the NEDC test (listings 2007 to 2013), official combined fuel economy for its petrol and diesel versions ranges from 17.3 to 36.7 mpg, with CO2 of 201 to 387 g/km.

Official NEDC figures by engine and fuel, listed 2007 to 2013
Engine and fuel Combined mpg CO2 g/km Listed Euro standard Versions
3.5 petrol 24.1–25.4 265–279 2007–2010 Euro 4 16
5.0 petrol 20.3–21.2 317–331 2007–2008 Euro 4 6
5.5 petrol 21.6–21.9 306–311 2009–2010 Euro 4 6
6.2 petrol 17.3 387 2007–2010 Euro 4 3
3.0 diesel 29.7–36.7 201–253 2007–2013 Euro 4 to Euro 5 43
4.0 diesel 33.2 223 2013 Euro 5 1

Source:VCA July 2000 to 15 September 2026 Updated

  • Official figures from laboratory type-approval tests. VCA says they may not be achieved in real-world driving, and should not be used to rank cars with similar figures.
  • Engine sizes are rounded to the nearest 0.1 litre. A version is one line in VCA’s data (description, gearbox, engine and fuel), counted once however many years it was listed. Matched from VCA’s model names “R-Class (251)”, “R-Class (251) Model Year 2009”, “R-Class Model Year 2010”, “R Class, Model Year 2011”. How we use VCA’s figures.

Mercedes-Benz R-Class safety recalls

DVSA lists 12 safety recalls for the Mercedes-Benz R-Class since 1992, the first in 2006. The most recent was launched on 30 September 2022.

The function of the brake booster might be affected due to advanced corrosion in the joint area of its housing.

Launched 30 September 2022 DVSA recall R/2022/279 Manufacturer ref. SRPC2241 / MBAG: Ref 4290008

Defect
The function of the brake booster might be affected due to advanced corrosion in the joint area of its housing.
Remedy
Replace brake booster in vehicles that have not passed XENTRY test and require part replacement.
Vehicles affected
218 across everything the recall covers
Built
1 Mar 2005 to 4 Feb 2013

All 12 Mercedes-Benz R-Class recalls, with defects, remedies and build dates

A recall applies to cars built on particular dates or with particular VINs, not to every Mercedes-Benz R-Class. The details come from manufacturers through DVSA, which says they may be delayed or incomplete. To check a specific car, use GOV.UK’s vehicle recall check or ask the manufacturer or a dealer. How we match recalls to models.

Source:DVSA,UK Motoring analysis January 1992 to September 2026 Updated

Compare the Mercedes-Benz R-Class with other Mercedes-Benz models

Mercedes-Benz R-Class compared with other Mercedes-Benz models
Model Licensed Change on a year SORN Rank Main fuel
Mercedes-Benz R-Class 1,366 −14.8% 667 624 Diesel
Mercedes-Benz A-Class 378,826 +0.7% 13,892 16 Diesel
Mercedes-Benz C-Class 326,200 −4.5% 46,533 20 Diesel
Mercedes-Benz E-Class 203,182 −4.2% 40,576 39 Diesel
Mercedes-Benz CLA-Class 112,497 +14.1% 2,288 84 Petrol

More Mercedes-Benz models

Data sources and methodology

Datasets used on this page
Figures Source Period Records Updated
Licensed and SORN counts Vehicle licensing statistics Department for Transport End of March 2026 2,033 R-Class records (licensed and SORN) 15 September 2026
Registered for the first time Vehicle licensing statistics Department for Transport 2001 to 2025 – 15 September 2026
MOT results and mileage Anonymised MOT tests and results Driver and Vehicle Standards Agency
Derived statistics UK Motoring 		2025 1,766 MOT tests 15 September 2026
  • Figures cover Great Britain (England, Scotland and Wales). Northern Ireland is not included.
  • Licensed counts are vehicles with a current tax or exemption at the end of each year (or the latest quarter). SORN counts are shown separately.
  • First registrations count vehicles registered in Great Britain for the first time, including used imports.
  • Models are grouped by DVLA’s generic model name, so every generation and trim counts together.
  • MOT figures cover normal tests of cars aged three and over in 2025; retests are excluded. Age is rounded to the nearest year.
  • DVSA records the model name typed in at the test. We match those names to DVLA’s generic models, so a handful of tests may be counted under a close relative.
How we calculate these figures All data sources

Contains public sector information licensed under the Open Government Licence v3.0.