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The Vito serves dual duty as a commercial panel van and luxury people carrier (Tourer) in the UK. Used W447 (2015+) panel vans start from £12,000-£16,000, while Tourer models command £18,000-£30,000. It competes with the VW Transporter, Ford Transit Custom, and Toyota Proace. The Vito consistently ranks in the top 10 of the FN50 UK van reliability survey.
We track 5 known issues across the Mercedes-Benz VITO range, including 2 rated as safety-critical. Knowing which variants and configurations to approach with caution can save you from expensive surprises after purchase.
Found a Mercedes-Benz VITO? Enter the reg to see which of our 5 known issues apply to that exact car, plus full MOT history and mileage checks.
W638 (1996–2003) — Petrol options included the 2.0 M111, with 2.2 CDI OM611, 2.3 D OM601 on the diesel side.
W639 (2003–2014) — Engine options included the 2.1 CDI OM646, 2.1 CDI OM651, 2.1 CDI OM646, 2.2 CDI OM646, 3.0 CDI OM642, 3.0 CDI OM642. Our database flags 4 known issues on this generation, 2 of which are rated as safety-critical. The most significant concern is Subframe and suspension mounting point corrosion (£1,500–£4,000 to address).
W447 (2014–2024) — Engine options included the 1.6 CDI OM622, 1.9 CDI OM622, 2.1 CDI OM651. Our database flags 5 known issues on this generation, 2 of which are rated as safety-critical. The most significant concern is Subframe and suspension mounting point corrosion (£1,500–£4,000 to address).
The Vito suffers from severe structural corrosion around subframe and suspension component mounting points, particularly affecting the load-bearing structure within 30cm of mounting brackets. This is the most critical failure mode documented in MOT data, with failure rates up to 188 times the fleet average. The corrosion compromises the vehicle's structural integrity and can render the vehicle unsafe to drive. Commercial use with heavy loading accelerates the problem through stress concentration at already weakened areas.
Structural failure of suspension mounting points creates an immediate safety hazard with potential for suspension collapse or loss of vehicle control. Repair typically requires extensive welding work or replacement of structural sections, often costing £2,000-£5,000 depending on the extent of damage. Severe cases may be beyond economical repair.
Inspect the wheel arches, sills, jacking points and door bottoms carefully. Press gently on sills to check for soft spots. Look underneath for corrosion on structural components. Check the MOT history for corrosion-related advisories or failures.
Flexible brake hoses show excessive deterioration rates on the Vito, failing at 53.9 times the fleet average according to MOT data. The commercial duty cycle with frequent heavy braking, combined with exposure to road debris and salt, accelerates rubber deterioration. Brake hose failure can result in complete loss of braking ability, making this a critical safety issue.
Brake hose failure can cause complete loss of braking ability, creating an immediate safety hazard. Even partial failure reduces braking efficiency and can cause the vehicle to pull under braking. Replacement of individual hoses costs £50-£150 per hose, but all hoses should be inspected when one fails as they typically age at similar rates.
Check brake disc condition for lipping or scoring. Test braking at moderate speed for pulling to one side or vibration through the steering wheel. Review MOT advisories for brake-related items.
Widespread body corrosion affects the Vito's structural rigidity, with MOT data showing failure rates 80 times the fleet average for vehicle structure corroded to the extent that rigidity is seriously reduced. The commercial duty cycle, frequent loading, and exposure to varied environmental conditions accelerate corrosion. Areas particularly affected include the rear load compartment, door pillars, and areas around mounting points.
Severe structural corrosion compromises vehicle safety and can lead to MOT failure. Extensive bodywork repairs may cost £1,000-£3,000 depending on affected areas. In severe cases, the vehicle may be beyond economical repair, particularly on older high-mileage examples.
Inspect the wheel arches, sills, jacking points and door bottoms carefully. Press gently on sills to check for soft spots. Look underneath for corrosion on structural components. Check the MOT history for corrosion-related advisories or failures.
Third-generation Vito diesel models show excessive exhaust smoke at rates 92.6 times the fleet average, primarily affecting newer vehicles with DPF-equipped engines. The issue typically relates to DPF regeneration problems, EGR valve carbon build-up, or turbocharger oil seal failure. Commercial stop-start duty cycles prevent proper DPF regeneration, leading to system blockage and visible smoke emission.
Excessive smoke emission causes MOT failure and may indicate expensive repairs. DPF replacement costs £1,500-£3,000, turbocharger replacement £1,000-£2,500, and EGR valve cleaning or replacement £300-£800. Continued driving with excessive smoke can cause further engine damage and increased repair costs.
Ask about the car's typical usage — short urban journeys prevent DPF regeneration. Check for DPF warning lights and ask about any previous regeneration issues. A forced regeneration at a garage costs far less than a DPF replacement.
CV joint boots on the Vito fail at rates up to 40.9 times the fleet average, with both missing and severely deteriorated boots documented in MOT data. The commercial duty cycle with frequent full lock turns, loading variations, and exposure to road debris accelerates boot deterioration. Once the boot fails, dirt and water contamination will rapidly destroy the CV joint itself.
Failed CV joint boots allow dirt and water to contaminate the joint, leading to rapid wear and eventual joint failure. Early replacement of just the boot costs £80-£150 per side, but once the joint is damaged, complete driveshaft replacement is required at £200-£400 per side including labour.
Listen for clunking or vibration from underneath when pulling away or changing direction. Check for play in the driveshafts by rocking the car in gear with the handbrake on. Worn CV boots are a telltale sign — look for grease splatter around the inner wheel arch.
For the full breakdown of all 5 tracked issues with repair costs, see the Mercedes-Benz VITO common problems page.
Based on 487k real DVSA MOT tests, the Mercedes-Benz VITO fails more often than average on several items. The biggest outlier is towbar fault at 415x the fleet average, followed by light unit fault (263x).
When viewing a specific car, check its MOT history for recurring advisories in these categories. See the full Mercedes-Benz VITO MOT failure breakdown for data at every mileage point.
Routine servicing (oil and filter change every 16k miles) typically costs £80–£120 at an independent garage.
See the full Mercedes-Benz VITO service schedule for every interval and cost breakdown.
The Mercedes-Benz VITO has some well-documented weak points, including 2 safety-critical issues that demand careful checking. The right example, properly maintained, can still be a sound purchase — but cutting corners on the pre-purchase inspection is not advisable. 2015-2019 W447 models with the OM651 2.1 CDI engine are the most proven. The W447 fixed the worst rust issues of the W639 but the 2015-2016 models can suffer corroded steering fastener screws. The 2019+ OM654 2.0-litre diesel is smoother and more efficient but less field-proven. Avoid W639 models (2003-2014) which suffer severe rust and significantly worse MOT pass rates. The eVito electric variant suits urban fleets but range limits rural use.
Before committing, check the car's full MOT history, verify the service record is complete, and if possible arrange a specialist inspection. Enter any registration into our free report to see the complete picture.
Get Car Wise maintains a database of known mechanical issues for every popular car on UK roads, tracking the faults that owners, specialists and DVSA data reveal.
When you run a report on a specific Mercedes-Benz VITO, we cross-reference the exact variant, engine and age against our database of 5 known issues. Combined with full MOT history analysis, mileage verification and DVLA data, you get a complete picture before viewing.
Enter the registration for MOT history, mileage verification, known faults for that exact variant, and a Get Car Wise Score.
This guide was compiled from independent expert reviews, DVSA MOT data, specialist workshops and our own database of 5 known Mercedes-Benz VITO issues. We are not affiliated with any source listed.