2004 Mercedes-Benz Sprinter · 3,373 MOT tests
2004 Mercedes-Benz Sprinter reliability
2004 Mercedes-Benz Sprinters fail 41.1% of first MOT tests, 5% fewer MOT fails than the average car its age and mileage, ranking 19 of 21 Sprinter years (3,373 DVSA tests, 2022 to 2024).
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- first-time fail rate (all Mercedes-Benz Sprinters: 29.2%)
- 41.1%
- first-time fail rate (all Mercedes-Benz Sprinters: 29.2%)
- fails than cars of the same age and mileage
- 5% fewer
- fails than cars of the same age and mileage
- typical miles at its MOT, aged about 18
- 127,950
- typical miles at its MOT, aged about 18
- MOT tests, 2022 to 2024
- 3,373
- MOT tests, 2022 to 2024
Year on year
2004 against the years either side
- 2003 cars: 9% fewer MOT fails than the average car its age (the 2004 car does worse)
- 2005 cars: 13% fewer MOT fails than the average car its age (the 2004 car does worse)
- Weak spot: number plates and vin, 1% of tests fail here (36% above cars of the same age and mileage).
- Strong point: tyres, 50% fewer fails than comparable cars.
- Plates: a 2004 car carries a 53 plate (January–February 2004), or a 04 plate (March–August 2004), or a 54 plate (September–December 2004).
Common problems
What fails on a 2004 Mercedes-Benz Sprinter
Fail rate by area
- Lights and electrics24.6%
- Brakes19.2%
- Suspension13.8%
- Body, chassis and structure9.2%
- Windscreen, wipers and mirrors7.9%
- Exhaust, emissions and leaks3.9%
- Steering3.7%
Average for cars of the same age and mileage
Top failures
Parking brake efficiency below minimum 5.9%
The parking brake holds the car less well than required, so it may roll on a slope and needs repair.
Suspension mounting area seriously corroded 4.33%
Corrosion near suspension mountings can seriously weaken the body structure, so an expert inspection is needed.
Position lamp not working 3.97%
A failed position lamp makes the car harder to see in poor light and is illegal, so it must be repaired.
Wiper blade not clearing windscreen 3.91%
Wipers that do not clear the windscreen reduce visibility in rain, which is a safety risk, so replace them.
Headlamp beam pattern obviously incorrect 3.82%
A wrongly shaped beam can dazzle other drivers and reduce your own view of the road, so the lamps need correcting.
Stop lamp not working 3.65%
A failed stop lamp means drivers behind cannot see when you brake, a safety risk that must be fixed.
Common advisories
Brake pipes corroded and greasy (18.65%) · Brake disc pitted or scored (12.3%) · Suspension ball joint slight play (10.29%) · Tyre worn close to legal limit (7.86%) · Slight play in steering rack joints (7.23%) · Engine oil leak, not excessive (6.43%)
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 2004 Mercedes-Benz Sprinter reliable?
2004 Mercedes-Benz Sprinters fail 41.1% of first MOT tests, 5% fewer MOT fails than the average car its age and mileage, ranking 19 of 21 Sprinter years (3,373 DVSA tests, 2022 to 2024).
What fails on a 2004 Mercedes-Benz Sprinter MOT?
Most often parking brake efficiency below minimum (5.9% of tests), suspension mounting area seriously corroded (4.33% of tests), position lamp not working (3.97% of tests).
How many miles should a 2004 Mercedes-Benz Sprinter have done?
At its MOT aged about 18, a typical 2004 Mercedes-Benz Sprinter shows 127,950 miles. Much higher or lower is worth asking about.
What plate is a 2004 car?
A car first registered in 2004 carries a 53 plate (January–February 2004), or a 04 plate (March–August 2004), or a 54 plate (September–December 2004).
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