2005 Mercedes-Benz Sprinter · 3,179 MOT tests
2005 Mercedes-Benz Sprinter reliability
2005 Mercedes-Benz Sprinters fail 37.2% of first MOT tests, 13% fewer MOT fails than the average car its age and mileage, ranking 12 of 21 Sprinter years (3,179 DVSA tests, 2022 to 2024).
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- first-time fail rate (all Mercedes-Benz Sprinters: 29.2%)
- 37.2%
- first-time fail rate (all Mercedes-Benz Sprinters: 29.2%)
- fails than cars of the same age and mileage
- 13% fewer
- fails than cars of the same age and mileage
- typical miles at its MOT, aged about 18
- 124,925
- typical miles at its MOT, aged about 18
- MOT tests, 2022 to 2024
- 3,179
- MOT tests, 2022 to 2024
Year on year
2005 against the years either side
- 2004 cars: 5% fewer MOT fails than the average car its age (the 2005 car does better)
- 2006 cars: 14% fewer MOT fails than the average car its age (the 2005 car does worse)
- Weak spot: brakes, 17.4% of tests fail here (27% above cars of the same age and mileage).
- Strong point: tyres, 58% fewer fails than comparable cars.
- Plates: a 2005 car carries a 54 plate (January–February 2005), or a 05 plate (March–August 2005), or a 55 plate (September–December 2005).
Common problems
What fails on a 2005 Mercedes-Benz Sprinter
Fail rate by area
- Lights and electrics23.1%
- Brakes17.4%
- Suspension11.5%
- Body, chassis and structure8%
- Windscreen, wipers and mirrors7.4%
- Exhaust, emissions and leaks3.8%
- Steering3.7%
Average for cars of the same age and mileage
Top failures
Parking brake efficiency below minimum 4.97%
The parking brake holds the car less well than required, so it may roll on a slope and needs repair.
Position lamp not working 4.59%
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 3.74%
Wipers that do not clear the windscreen reduce visibility in rain, which is a safety risk, so replace them.
Headlamp beam pattern obviously incorrect 3.46%
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 3.3%
A failed stop lamp means drivers behind cannot see when you brake, a safety risk that must be fixed.
Rigid brake pipe excessively corroded 3.18%
Badly corroded brake pipes can leak or fail, which can cause a loss of braking, so repair is urgent.
Common advisories
Brake pipes corroded and greasy (17.49%) · Brake disc pitted or scored (12.83%) · Suspension ball joint slight play (10.35%) · Tyre worn close to legal limit (6.98%) · Anti-roll bar pin/bush showing wear (6.51%) · Wheel bearing slight play (6.45%)
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 2005 Mercedes-Benz Sprinter reliable?
2005 Mercedes-Benz Sprinters fail 37.2% of first MOT tests, 13% fewer MOT fails than the average car its age and mileage, ranking 12 of 21 Sprinter years (3,179 DVSA tests, 2022 to 2024).
What fails on a 2005 Mercedes-Benz Sprinter MOT?
Most often parking brake efficiency below minimum (4.97% of tests), position lamp not working (4.59% of tests), wiper blade not clearing windscreen (3.74% of tests).
How many miles should a 2005 Mercedes-Benz Sprinter have done?
At its MOT aged about 18, a typical 2005 Mercedes-Benz Sprinter shows 124,925 miles. Much higher or lower is worth asking about.
What plate is a 2005 car?
A car first registered in 2005 carries a 54 plate (January–February 2005), or a 05 plate (March–August 2005), or a 55 plate (September–December 2005).
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