MPV and people carrier · 2001–2021 cars
Mercedes-Benz Viano reliability
The Mercedes-Benz Viano fails 33.6% of first MOT tests, 14% fewer MOT fails than the average car its age and mileage, based on 20,348 DVSA MOT tests from 2022 to 2024.
Checking a Mercedes-Benz Viano before you buy?
- first-time MOT fail rate (all cars: 28.4%)
- 33.6%
- first-time MOT fail rate (all cars: 28.4%)
- fails than cars of the same age and mileage
- 14% fewer
- fails than cars of the same age and mileage
- MOT tests analysed, 2022 to 2024
- 20,348
- MOT tests analysed, 2022 to 2024
- typical miles a year, from MOT readings
- 13,200
- typical miles a year, from MOT readings
MOT fail rate by age
How the Mercedes-Benz Viano ages
Each point is the share of Mercedes-Benz Vianos of that age that failed their MOT first time, against all cars of the same age.
| Age at MOT (years) | Mercedes-Benz Viano | All cars |
|---|---|---|
| 7 | 29.6% | 22.1% |
| 8 | 28.2% | 25.5% |
| 9 | 29.5% | 28.8% |
| 10 | 29.2% | 31.8% |
| 11 | 33.1% | 34.6% |
| 12 | 32.1% | 37.3% |
| 13 | 34.7% | 39.5% |
| 14 | 34.3% | 41.1% |
| 15 | 37.2% | 42.3% |
| 16 | 37.4% | 42.9% |
| 17 | 39.9% | 43.4% |
| 18 | 37.9% | 43.5% |
| 19 | 36% | 43.4% |
By year
The best and worst Mercedes-Benz Viano years
2010 cars come out best and 2006 cars worst, once age and mileage are taken into account.
| First registered | Tests | Fail rate | Against same-age cars | Typical mileage |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2015 | 536 | 27.1% | 6% fewer fails | 119,208 |
| 2014 Viano | 2,486 | 27.6% | 11% fewer fails | 117,425 |
| 2013 Viano | 2,439 | 29.8% | 11% fewer fails | 123,298 |
| 2012 Viano | 2,151 | 31.3% | 14% fewer fails | 137,643 |
| 2011 Viano | 1,870 | 32% | 18% fewer fails | 143,359 |
| 2010 Viano | 1,586 | 32% | 21% fewer fails | 144,708 |
| 2009 Viano | 1,639 | 36.1% | 14% fewer fails | 148,193 |
| 2008 Viano | 1,834 | 37.4% | 13% fewer fails | 143,338 |
| 2007 Viano | 1,696 | 36.5% | 16% fewer fails | 150,016 |
| 2006 Viano | 1,409 | 41.2% | 6% fewer fails | 141,011 |
| 2005 Viano | 1,548 | 40.2% | 10% fewer fails | 135,730 |
| 2004 Viano | 1,092 | 34.8% | 19% fewer fails | 98,989 |
Common problems
What fails most on a Mercedes-Benz Viano
Its weak spot is seat belts and airbags: 104% more fails there than cars of the same age and mileage.
Fail rate by area
- Lights and electrics16.7%9% below avg
- Brakes11.4%6% above avg
- Suspension8.3%45% below avg
- Tyres6.6%13% below avg
- Windscreen, wipers and mirrors5.3%13% below avg
- Body, chassis and structure4.6%26% below avg
- Exhaust, emissions and leaks4.2%22% below avg
- Seat belts and airbags4%104% above avg
- Steering2.4%30% below avg
Average for cars of the same age and mileage
Top MOT failures
- 1
Parking brake efficiency below minimum 3.01% of tests
The parking brake holds the car less well than required, so it may roll on a slope and needs repair.
- 2
Position lamp not working 2.99% of tests
A failed position lamp makes the car harder to see in poor light and is illegal, so it must be repaired.
- 3
Airbag warning lamp shows fault 2.78% of tests
A lit airbag warning means the airbag system may not deploy in a crash, so it needs diagnosing and repairing.
- 4
Side repeater not working 2.55% of tests
A failed side repeater means other road users cannot see your intended direction change, which is dangerous and must be fixed.
- 5
Tyre tread below 1.6mm 2.13% of tests
Tread below 1.6mm is illegal and reduces grip in wet conditions, so the tyre must be replaced.
- 6
Stop lamp not working 2.07% of tests
A failed stop lamp means drivers behind cannot see when you brake, a safety risk that must be fixed.
- 7
Tyre ply or cords exposed 1.8% of tests
Exposed ply or cords can let the tyre fail suddenly, so the tyre must be replaced before the car is driven.
- 8
Parking brake efficiency under half required 1.78% of tests
The parking brake is well below required strength and is unlikely to hold the car on a slope.
Most common advisories
Not a fail yet, but worth pricing in: these show up on a Mercedes-Benz Viano's MOT certificate most often.
- Tyre worn close to legal limit15.65%
- Brake pipes corroded and greasy7.9%
- Brake disc pitted or scored7%
- Engine oil leak, not excessive6.92%
- Brake pads wearing thin4.1%
- Slight play in steering rack joints3.19%
Before you buy
What to check on a used Mercedes-Benz Viano
- 1
Parking brake efficiency below minimum
The parking brake holds the car less well than required, so it may roll on a slope and needs repair.
- 2
Position lamp not working
A failed position lamp makes the car harder to see in poor light and is illegal, so it must be repaired.
- 3
Airbag warning lamp shows fault
A lit airbag warning means the airbag system may not deploy in a crash, so it needs diagnosing and repairing.
- 4
Side repeater not working
A failed side repeater means other road users cannot see your intended direction change, which is dangerous and must be fixed.
- 5
Every MOT since new
Look for the faults above coming back year after year: it shows how the car has been looked after.
- 6
The mileage record
A typical Mercedes-Benz Viano covers about 13,200 miles a year. A big gap or a drop between MOTs is a warning sign.
- 7
Finance, stolen and write-off
The records the MOT can't show. A Full Check (£9.99) covers all three before you hand over any money.
Fuel types tested
- Diesel90%
- Petrol9.9%
- LPG0.1%
- Other0%
Most common colours
Silver, Black, Grey, Blue, White
Average engine size: 2.5 litres.
Compare
How the Mercedes-Benz Viano compares with its rivals
| Model | Fail rate | Against same-age cars |
|---|---|---|
| Mercedes-Benz Viano | 33.6% | 14% fewer MOT fails than the average car its age |
| Toyota Previa | 44% | about average for its age |
| Chrysler Grand Voyager | 41.7% | about average for its age |
| Kia Sedona | 45.5% | 12% more MOT fails than the average car its age |
| Citroën C4 Picasso | 23.9% | 25% more MOT fails than the average car its age |
| Citroën Grand C4 Picasso | 50.5% | 29% more MOT fails than the average car its age |
| Hyundai i800 | 37% | 46% more MOT fails than the average car its age |
Every mpv and people carrier ranked in the mpv and people carrier reliability index, or all Mercedes-Benz models.
Questions
Mercedes-Benz Viano questions, answered
Is the Mercedes-Benz Viano reliable?
On MOT results, the Mercedes-Benz Viano is about average: it fails 33.6% of first MOT tests, 14% fewer MOT fails than the average car its age and mileage. It ranks 10 of 49 mpv and people carrier models in our index.
What fails most on a Mercedes-Benz Viano MOT?
The most common MOT failures on the Mercedes-Benz Viano are parking brake efficiency below minimum (3.01% of tests), position lamp not working (2.99% of tests), airbag warning lamp shows fault (2.78% of tests). By area, lights and electrics fails 16.7% of its tests.
Which Mercedes-Benz Viano year is the most reliable?
Among years with 1,000+ tests, 2010 cars do best (21% fewer MOT fails than the average car its age) and 2006 cars do worst (6% fewer MOT fails than the average car its age).
How many miles does a Mercedes-Benz Viano do a year?
A typical Mercedes-Benz Viano covers about 13,200 miles a year, from the mileage recorded at its MOTs. Check the car you're looking at against that with a free mileage check.
How do I check a Mercedes-Benz Viano before I buy it?
Enter its registration for a free check of its MOT history, mileage, ULEZ status and tax. Before you pay, a Full Check (£9.99) shows outstanding finance, stolen and write-off records.
Source: DVSA anonymised MOT test results, 2022 to 2024, class 4 vehicles aged 3 to 25, normal tests only. How we compare like with like: our methodology.
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