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Van · 1996–2021 cars

Mercedes-Benz Vito reliability

The Mercedes-Benz Vito fails 33.7% of first MOT tests, 3% more MOT fails than the average car its age and mileage, based on 286,460 DVSA MOT tests from 2022 to 2024.

About averageReliability score 47/100#11 of 40 vans

Checking a Mercedes-Benz Vito before you buy?

first-time MOT fail rate (all cars: 28.4%)
33.7%
first-time MOT fail rate (all cars: 28.4%)
fails than cars of the same age and mileage
3% more
fails than cars of the same age and mileage
MOT tests analysed, 2022 to 2024
286,460
MOT tests analysed, 2022 to 2024
typical miles a year, from MOT readings
16,200
typical miles a year, from MOT readings

What this means for buyers

The Mercedes-Benz Vito is a mixed bag on MOT. 33.7% of first tests failed, against 28.4% for all cars. Against cars of the same age and mileage, it has 3% more MOT fails, and it ranks 11 of 40 van models. The year matters. 2009 was the best year, with 8% fewer MOT fails than cars of the same age and mileage. Be extra careful with 2020, which has 37% more.

A Vito can still be a sound buy if you check the right things. Brakes are the weakest area, with 46% more fails than cars of the same age and mileage, so ask for a proper brake test. Then check the top failures: a fractured or broken coil spring, a parking brake below minimum efficiency, a position lamp not working and a dipped beam headlamp not working.

MOT fail rate by age

How the Mercedes-Benz Vito ages

Each point is the share of Mercedes-Benz Vitos of that age that failed their MOT first time, against all cars of the same age.

0%15%30%45%60%3691215182124Age at MOT (years)
Mercedes-Benz VitoAll cars
Mercedes-Benz Vito first-time MOT fail rate by age
Age at MOT (years)Mercedes-Benz VitoAll cars
323.4%12.3%
424.5%14.1%
525.1%16.4%
627.9%19.1%
729.2%22.1%
831.3%25.5%
933.3%28.8%
1036.2%31.8%
1136.3%34.6%
1238.9%37.3%
1339.6%39.5%
1440.7%41.1%
1542.2%42.3%
1644.5%42.9%
1744.2%43.4%
1845.5%43.5%
1948.6%43.4%
2047.6%42.8%
2147.3%41.4%
2245.2%40.6%
2343.8%38.9%
2448.5%37.1%
2550%35.8%

By year

The best and worst Mercedes-Benz Vito years

2009 cars come out best and 2020 cars worst, once age and mileage are taken into account.

Mercedes-Benz Vito MOT results by year of first registration
First registeredTestsFail rateAgainst same-age carsTypical mileage
2021 Vito2,04119%15% more fails49,943
2020 Vito7,30223.8%37% more fails55,603
2019 Vito24,91924.1%24% more fails73,770
2018 Vito22,45124%17% more fails78,206
2017 Vito31,49226.2%11% more fails102,584
2016 Vito21,99329.4%13% more fails103,728
2015 Vito18,18330.6%5% more fails116,236
2014 Vito16,69233.2%4% more fails129,916
2013 Vito17,61134.1%2% fewer fails146,311
2012 Vito16,24336.5%3% fewer fails148,428
2011 Vito12,80737.3%6% fewer fails153,501
2010 Vito15,07039.5%5% fewer fails160,912
2009 Vito14,89839.7%8% fewer fails159,359
2008 Vito15,93941.5%6% fewer fails162,750
2007 Vito16,13743.3%4% fewer fails165,087
2006 Vito13,89044.4%3% fewer fails164,680
2005 Vito8,04946.9%3% more fails149,158
2004 Vito3,90746.9%2% more fails137,556
2003 Vito2,07451.8%15% more fails131,086
2002 Vito1,81048.2%8% more fails132,280
2001 Vito1,00148.9%14% more fails122,222
200050044.8%10% more fails117,046
199966645.8%14% more fails116,263
199866050.9%35% more fails110,343

Common problems

What fails most on a Mercedes-Benz Vito

Its weak spot is brakes: 46% more fails there than cars of the same age and mileage.

Fail rate by area

  • Lights and electrics14.5%0% below avg
  • Brakes12.6%46% above avg
  • Suspension10.7%5% below avg
  • Windscreen, wipers and mirrors6.4%22% above avg
  • Tyres6.4%11% below avg
  • Exhaust, emissions and leaks5%16% above avg
  • Body, chassis and structure4.3%5% below avg
  • Seat belts and airbags2.1%39% above avg
  • Steering1.7%33% below avg

Average for cars of the same age and mileage

Top MOT failures

  1. 1

    Coil spring fractured or broken 3.34% of tests

    A broken coil spring can leave the car sitting low or unstable, so it must be replaced before driving.

  2. 2

    Parking brake efficiency below minimum 3.34% of tests

    The parking brake holds the car less well than required, so it may roll on a slope and needs repair.

  3. 3

    Position lamp not working 2.5% of tests

    A failed position lamp makes the car harder to see in poor light and is illegal, so it must be repaired.

  4. 4

    Dipped beam headlamp not working 2.36% of tests

    A failed dipped beam makes it hard to see and be seen at night, so the lamp needs fixing before driving.

  5. 5

    Stop lamp not working 2.35% of tests

    A failed stop lamp means drivers behind cannot see when you brake, a safety risk that must be fixed.

  6. 6

    Tyre tread below 1.6mm 2.18% of tests

    Tread below 1.6mm is illegal and reduces grip in wet conditions, so the tyre must be replaced.

  7. 7

    Diesel engine warning light faulty 2.11% of tests

    A lit or non-working engine warning light can hide faults, so diagnosis is needed before buying.

  8. 8

    Wiper blade not clearing windscreen 2.03% of tests

    Wipers that do not clear the windscreen reduce visibility in rain, which is a safety risk, so replace them.

Most common advisories

Not a fail yet, but worth pricing in: these show up on a Mercedes-Benz Vito's MOT certificate most often.

  • Tyre worn close to legal limit14.52%
  • Brake pipes corroded and greasy7.45%
  • Brake disc pitted or scored7.42%
  • Engine oil leak, not excessive5.35%
  • Brake pads wearing thin5.11%
  • Tyre slightly damaged or cracking3.29%

Before you buy

What to check on a used Mercedes-Benz Vito

  1. 1

    Coil spring fractured or broken

    A broken coil spring can leave the car sitting low or unstable, so it must be replaced before driving.

  2. 2

    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.

  3. 3

    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.

  4. 4

    Dipped beam headlamp not working

    A failed dipped beam makes it hard to see and be seen at night, so the lamp needs fixing before driving.

  5. 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. 6

    The mileage record

    A typical Mercedes-Benz Vito covers about 16,200 miles a year. A big gap or a drop between MOTs is a warning sign.

  7. 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

  • Diesel99.5%
  • Petrol0.4%
  • Electric0.1%
  • LPG0%
  • Hybrid0%
  • Other0%

Most common colours

White, Silver, Black, Grey, Blue

Average engine size: 2.1 litres.

Compare

How the Mercedes-Benz Vito compares with its rivals

Mercedes-Benz Vito against similar models
ModelFail rateAgainst same-age cars
Fiat Ducato25.8%8% fewer MOT fails than the average car its age
Mercedes-Benz Vito33.7%3% more MOT fails than the average car its age
Ford Transit Custom20.7%14% more MOT fails than the average car its age
Vauxhall Combo41.4%29% more MOT fails than the average car its age
Renault Trafic41.5%30% more MOT fails than the average car its age
Peugeot Partner38.1%32% more MOT fails than the average car its age
Renault Kangoo46.4%39% more MOT fails than the average car its age

Every van ranked in the van reliability index, or all Mercedes-Benz models.

Questions

Mercedes-Benz Vito questions, answered

Is the Mercedes-Benz Vito reliable?

On MOT results, the Mercedes-Benz Vito is about average: it fails 33.7% of first MOT tests, 3% more MOT fails than the average car its age and mileage. It ranks 11 of 40 van models in our index.

What fails most on a Mercedes-Benz Vito MOT?

The most common MOT failures on the Mercedes-Benz Vito are coil spring fractured or broken (3.34% of tests), parking brake efficiency below minimum (3.34% of tests), position lamp not working (2.5% of tests). By area, lights and electrics fails 14.5% of its tests.

Which Mercedes-Benz Vito year is the most reliable?

Among years with 1,000+ tests, 2009 cars do best (8% fewer MOT fails than the average car its age) and 2020 cars do worst (37% more MOT fails than the average car its age).

How many miles does a Mercedes-Benz Vito do a year?

A typical Mercedes-Benz Vito covers about 16,200 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 Vito 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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