← View More MERCEDES Models

MERCEDES VITO Common Problems & Reliability

Based on 3,476 MOT tests from 296 vehicles analysed by VehicleScore. The figures below describe that VehicleScore sample. Recurring issues seen in VehicleScore MOT data are not a claim that every MERCEDES VITO has the same fault.

MERCEDES VITO's have a slightly over average reliability rating of 533/999. The score was calculated from the average of every MERCEDES VITO that has had a registered MOT.

We calculated all of the below figures by getting the score from each vehicle make/model/year/fuel, which are each calculated a score. We then generate the average score, taking into account factors such as mileage and emissions.

MERCEDES logo
MERCEDES logo
MERCEDES VITO side viewMERCEDES VITO (example)
Mercedes logo

Check a Mercedes Vito before you buy

Enter your registration to see available vehicle history information including service records, MOT, mileage, write-off status, outstanding finance and more.

Mercedes Vito side view
  • Service history

    Dealer & service records

  • MOT records

    Past & current MOT data

  • Write-off check

    Check for insurance write-offs

  • Finance check

    Outstanding finance & theft checks

Fuel TypeYearReliability ScoreAvg MileageSample Size
Diesel2020809/999Excellent90,515 miles2,270 vehicles
Diesel2018730/999Very good89,676 miles5,094 vehicles
Diesel2016645/999Good89,704 miles4,771 vehicles
Diesel2015617/999Good89,936 miles5,657 vehicles
Diesel2013558/999Above average93,398 miles4,374 vehicles
Diesel2012471/999Average96,264 miles3,282 vehicles
Diesel2009406/999Average99,087 miles2,951 vehicles
Diesel2003384/999Fair94,140 miles3,365 vehicles
Diesel2002382/999Fair97,281 miles3,251 vehicles
Diesel2001383/999Fair103,712 miles2,973 vehicles
Diesel1997476/999Average119,998 miles539 vehicles

How reliable is the MERCEDES VITO?

Based on 3,476 MOT tests from 296 vehicles analysed by VehicleScore.

Vehicles

296

MOT tests

3,476

Pass rate

73.8%

Median mileage

136,635 mi

Recurring issues seen in VehicleScore MOT data are inspection findings from this sample. They are not a statement that every MERCEDES VITO has the same fault. The median VehicleScore in this sample is 619 out of 999.

Common MERCEDES VITO MOT problems

These groups combine equivalent MOT comments, such as the same tyre note on different corners. Counts are comment occurrences in the sample, not a percentage of cars.

Tyre wear

VehicleScore MOT data includes 544 advisory comments and 29 failure comments in this group. Seen as both an advisory and a failure reason. These are comment occurrences, not a share of all cars.

These MOT comments record tyres that were worn, damaged, or close to the legal tread depth when the car was inspected.

What to inspect

Check the tread depth and look for uneven wear, cracking, or damage on all four tyres.

Example MOT wording: NEARSIDE FRONT TYRE WORN CLOSE TO LEGAL LIMIT/WORN ON EDGE (5.2.3 (E))

Parking brake faults

VehicleScore MOT data includes 152 failure comments in this group. Seen mainly as a failure reason. These are comment occurrences, not a share of all cars.

These MOT comments record a parking brake that did not hold well enough or had a component defect.

What to inspect

Test that the parking brake holds the car on a slope and releases cleanly.

Example MOT wording: PARKING BRAKE EFFICIENCY BELOW REQUIREMENTS (1.4.2 (A) (I))

Brake disc wear

VehicleScore MOT data includes 148 advisory comments in this group. Seen mainly as an advisory. These are comment occurrences, not a share of all cars.

These MOT comments record brake discs that were worn, scored, pitted, or corroded.

What to inspect

Look at the disc faces for deep scoring, a lip at the edge, and corrosion.

Example MOT wording: REAR BRAKE DISC WORN, PITTED OR SCORED, BUT NOT SERIOUSLY WEAKENED (1.1.14 (A) (II))

Brake pad wear

VehicleScore MOT data includes 100 advisory comments and 19 failure comments in this group. Seen as both an advisory and a failure reason. These are comment occurrences, not a share of all cars.

These MOT comments record brake pads that were worn or below the inspection limit.

What to inspect

Ask for recent pad replacement and look at the remaining pad thickness.

Example MOT wording: REAR BRAKE PAD(S) WEARING THIN (1.1.13 (A) (II))

Oil leak

VehicleScore MOT data includes 95 advisory comments in this group. Seen mainly as an advisory. These are comment occurrences, not a share of all cars.

These MOT comments record an oil leak noted by the tester. Shock absorber misting is counted as a damper issue, not as an engine oil leak.

What to inspect

Look under the engine for fresh oil, and check the oil level.

Example MOT wording: OIL LEAK, BUT NOT EXCESSIVE (8.4.1 (A) (I))

Coil spring issues

VehicleScore MOT data includes 61 failure comments in this group. Seen mainly as a failure reason. These are comment occurrences, not a share of all cars.

These MOT comments record coil springs that were corroded, fractured, or otherwise defective. They are counted separately from shock absorbers.

What to inspect

Look for a broken or heavily corroded spring and compare the ride height on both sides.

Example MOT wording: OFFSIDE REAR COIL SPRING FRACTURED OR BROKEN (5.3.1 (B) (I))

Engine warning lamp

VehicleScore MOT data includes 51 failure comments in this group. Seen mainly as a failure reason. These are comment occurrences, not a share of all cars.

These MOT comments record an engine warning lamp that was on, or did not work, during the inspection.

What to inspect

Switch on the ignition and confirm the lamp comes on and then goes out. Ask what was diagnosed if it stayed on.

Example MOT wording: ENGINE MIL INOPERATIVE OR INDICATES A MALFUNCTION (8.2.2.2 (G))

Corrosion

VehicleScore MOT data includes 49 advisory comments in this group. Seen mainly as an advisory. These are comment occurrences, not a share of all cars.

These MOT comments record corrosion the tester could see on the body or structure. Corrosion already named on a spring, brake, or other component is counted with that component.

What to inspect

Inspect the underside, sills, and subframe for heavy corrosion, especially where an advisory mentions it.

Example MOT wording: OFFSIDE FRONT BRAKE PIPE CORRODED, COVERED IN GREASE OR OTHER MATERIAL (1.1.11 (C))

MERCEDES VITO MOT reliability by year

A model year is only commented on when VehicleScore has at least 5 vehicles from that year.

YearVehiclesMOT testsPass rateRecurring issues seen
202511850%Tyre wear, Windscreen damage
202450—No recurring grouped MOT issue in this year sample
20237475%No recurring grouped MOT issue in this year sample
2022113582.9%Tyre wear, Shock absorber issues
202184185.4%Brake disc wear, Tyre wear
20202311979%Shock absorber issues, Tyre wear
20192515377.1%Tyre wear, Brake pad wear
20181611480.7%Tyre wear, Brake pad wear
20172929179.4%Tyre wear, Brake disc wear
20162021376.5%Tyre wear, Brake disc wear
20152122977.7%Tyre wear, Brake pad wear
2014810677.4%Tyre wear, Headlamp faults
20131522171.9%Tyre wear, Parking brake faults
20121015976.1%Tyre wear, Brake disc wear
2011813973.4%Tyre wear, Brake disc wear
20101324172.2%Tyre wear, Oil leak
20091837670.2%Tyre wear, Parking brake faults
20081119778.2%Corrosion, Tyre wear
20071124472.5%Tyre wear, Corrosion
2006819370.5%Corrosion, Tyre wear

What to check when buying a used MERCEDES VITO

This is an inspection checklist based on MOT comments in the VehicleScore sample. It does not mean the car you are looking at has these defects.

  • Tyre wear. Check the tread depth and look for uneven wear, cracking, or damage on all four tyres.

  • Parking brake faults. Test that the parking brake holds the car on a slope and releases cleanly.

  • Brake disc wear. Look at the disc faces for deep scoring, a lip at the edge, and corrosion.

  • Brake pad wear. Ask for recent pad replacement and look at the remaining pad thickness.

  • Oil leak. Look under the engine for fresh oil, and check the oil level.

  • Coil spring issues. Look for a broken or heavily corroded spring and compare the ride height on both sides.

  • Engine warning lamp. Switch on the ignition and confirm the lamp comes on and then goes out. Ask what was diagnosed if it stayed on.

  • Corrosion. Inspect the underside, sills, and subframe for heavy corrosion, especially where an advisory mentions it.

Buying a MERCEDES VITO?

Common problems tell you what can affect MERCEDES VITOs generally. VehicleScore can check the history of the actual car you're considering.

Where does this data come from?

VehicleScore analyses MOT histories from vehicles in its own dataset. Sample sizes vary by model, and a small sample is labelled as such. MOT data records roadworthiness and inspection defects. It does not capture every mechanical or electronic problem a car can have, and a comment on one test is not proof that the model has an inherent fault.

Browse Other MERCEDES Models