2003 Mercedes-Benz Sprinter · 3,044 MOT tests
2003 Mercedes-Benz Sprinter reliability
2003 Mercedes-Benz Sprinters fail 39.4% of first MOT tests, 9% fewer MOT fails than the average car its age and mileage, ranking 15 of 21 Sprinter years (3,044 DVSA tests, 2022 to 2024).
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- first-time fail rate (all Mercedes-Benz Sprinters: 29.2%)
- 39.4%
- first-time fail rate (all Mercedes-Benz Sprinters: 29.2%)
- fails than cars of the same age and mileage
- 9% fewer
- fails than cars of the same age and mileage
- typical miles at its MOT, aged about 20
- 131,624
- typical miles at its MOT, aged about 20
- MOT tests, 2022 to 2024
- 3,044
- MOT tests, 2022 to 2024
Year on year
2003 against the years either side
- 2002 cars: 6% fewer MOT fails than the average car its age (the 2003 car does better)
- 2004 cars: 5% fewer MOT fails than the average car its age (the 2003 car does better)
- Weak spot: number plates and vin, 1.2% of tests fail here (60% above cars of the same age and mileage).
- Strong point: tyres, 44% fewer fails than comparable cars.
- Plates: a 2003 car carries a 52 plate (January–February 2003), or a 03 plate (March–August 2003), or a 53 plate (September–December 2003).
Common problems
What fails on a 2003 Mercedes-Benz Sprinter
Fail rate by area
- Lights and electrics24.6%
- Brakes18.3%
- Suspension11.9%
- Body, chassis and structure9.6%
- Windscreen, wipers and mirrors8.1%
- Exhaust, emissions and leaks4.2%
- Tyres3.6%
Average for cars of the same age and mileage
Top failures
Parking brake efficiency below minimum 5.26%
The parking brake holds the car less well than required, so it may roll on a slope and needs repair.
Wiper blade not clearing windscreen 4.7%
Wipers that do not clear the windscreen reduce visibility in rain, which is a safety risk, so replace them.
Position lamp not working 4.63%
A failed position lamp makes the car harder to see in poor light and is illegal, so it must be repaired.
Stop lamp not working 4.04%
A failed stop lamp means drivers behind cannot see when you brake, a safety risk that must be fixed.
Suspension mounting area seriously corroded 3.91%
Corrosion near suspension mountings can seriously weaken the body structure, so an expert inspection is needed.
Headlamp beam pattern obviously incorrect 3.81%
A wrongly shaped beam can dazzle other drivers and reduce your own view of the road, so the lamps need correcting.
Common advisories
Brake pipes corroded and greasy (18.99%) · Brake disc pitted or scored (12.84%) · Suspension ball joint slight play (10.48%) · Tyre worn close to legal limit (7.75%) · Anti-roll bar pin/bush showing wear (6.31%) · Anti-roll bar linkage pin/bush worn (6.18%)
Other years
Every Mercedes-Benz Sprinter year
The full picture: Mercedes-Benz Sprinter reliability. Before you pay for any Mercedes-Benz Sprinter, a Full Check (£9.99) shows finance, stolen and write-off records the MOT can't.
Source: DVSA anonymised MOT results, 2022 to 2024, class 4 normal tests.
Is a 2003 Mercedes-Benz Sprinter reliable?
2003 Mercedes-Benz Sprinters fail 39.4% of first MOT tests, 9% fewer MOT fails than the average car its age and mileage, ranking 15 of 21 Sprinter years (3,044 DVSA tests, 2022 to 2024).
What fails on a 2003 Mercedes-Benz Sprinter MOT?
Most often parking brake efficiency below minimum (5.26% of tests), wiper blade not clearing windscreen (4.7% of tests), position lamp not working (4.63% of tests).
How many miles should a 2003 Mercedes-Benz Sprinter have done?
At its MOT aged about 20, a typical 2003 Mercedes-Benz Sprinter shows 131,624 miles. Much higher or lower is worth asking about.
What plate is a 2003 car?
A car first registered in 2003 carries a 52 plate (January–February 2003), or a 03 plate (March–August 2003), or a 53 plate (September–December 2003).
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