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Mercedes-benz Viano Reliability, MOT Pass Rate & Common Faults

Free Mercedes-benz Viano car check

Is the Mercedes-benz Viano reliable? We analysed 134,814 real MOT tests across 8,421 vehicles to find out.

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Data last updated: · Based on 134,814 real MOT tests
MOT Pass Rate
76.0%
Typical Mileage
100,329mi
Annual Mileage
9,441mi/yr
Est. Lifespan
22yrs

The Mercedes-benz Viano is above average for reliability based on real UK MOT data. Common problems include tyre tread depth below requirements of 1.6mm, windscreen wiper does not clear the windscreen effectively and parking brake: efficiency below requirements. Here's everything you need to know before buying a used Mercedes-benz Viano.

Mercedes-benz Viano Number Plates

Number plates registered to a Mercedes-benz Viano. Click on any registration for full vehicle details — including MOT history, mileage records, previous owners and damage history.

Mercedes-benz Viano MOT Pass Rate by Year

How likely is a Mercedes-benz Viano to pass its MOT? Here's the pass rate for each registration year, newest first.

79%
2015
80.4%
2014
79.5%
2013
79.6%
2012
77.9%
2011
76.6%
2010
75.9%
2009
75.4%
2008
74.8%
2007
74.5%
2006
72.7%
2005
71%
2004
59.3%
2003

Mercedes-benz Viano Problems — What Goes Wrong?

The most common reasons a Mercedes-benz Viano fails its MOT, ranked by how often they occur. Check for these problems before you buy.

Tyre tread depth below requirements of 1.6mm 2,410
Windscreen wiper does not clear the windscreen effectively 1,125
Parking brake: efficiency below requirements 1,075
Registration plate lamp not working 999
Tyre has ply or cords exposed 884
Stop lamp not working 851

Mercedes-benz Viano Common Faults & Problems

These are the most common serious faults found on Mercedes-benz Viano models during MOT testing — flagged as dangerous or major failures that need immediate attention.

Tyre tread depth below requirements of 1.6mm 1,438
Parking brake efficiency less than 50% of the required value 971

Mercedes-benz Viano Mileage — What's Normal?

How many miles does a typical Mercedes-benz Viano owner drive per year? Use this to check if a car you're looking at has suspiciously low or high mileage.

Low usage
4,999 mi/yr
Typical
9,441 mi/yr
Average
13,761 mi/yr
Heavy usage
17,817 mi/yr

Mercedes-benz Viano MOT Data by Registration Year

Full breakdown of pass rate and mileage for each year. Use this to compare the Mercedes-benz Viano year you're looking at.

Year Tests Pass Rate Low Mi. Typical Mi. High Mi.
2015 1,921 79.0% 45,919 78,374 132,501
2014 10,057 80.4% 47,967 85,469 137,280
2013 11,518 79.5% 50,749 87,314 137,724
2012 11,480 79.6% 54,455 93,372 150,039
2011 10,509 77.9% 57,781 99,516 156,332
2010 10,185 76.6% 59,012 102,202 160,305
2009 11,289 75.9% 60,979 105,377 166,132
2008 13,981 75.4% 61,460 104,140 161,378
2007 14,382 74.8% 65,784 112,116 170,198
2006 12,432 74.5% 61,924 108,362 166,655
2005 13,873 72.7% 61,972 103,409 161,093
2004 12,564 71.0% 62,546 102,610 155,790
2003 91 59.3% 49,614 66,178 107,336

How Long Does a Mercedes-benz Viano Last?

Based on 8,421 Mercedes-benz Viano vehicles on UK roads.

Average
13.1 years
Median
13.0 years
Estimated max lifespan
22 years

Mercedes-benz Viano Mileage Distribution

Total mileage recorded across all Mercedes-benz Viano MOT tests. If the car you're looking at is above the 75th percentile, it's done more miles than most.

Median
100,329 mi
75th Percentile
157,105 mi
95th Percentile
265,330 mi
Max Recorded
983,341 mi

Best Year to Buy a Used Mercedes-benz Viano

Based on MOT pass rates across all registration years with sufficient test data.

Best year
2014

80.4% MOT pass rate from 10,057 tests

Year to avoid
2003

59.3% MOT pass rate from 91 tests

The best year to buy a used Mercedes-benz Viano is 2014, which has the highest MOT pass rate at 80.4% across 10,057 tests. The 2003 model year has the lowest pass rate at 59.3% — if you're looking at one from that year, budget for potential repairs and get a thorough pre-purchase inspection.

How Does the Mercedes-benz Viano Compare?

MOT pass rates compared to similar models. Click any model for the full breakdown.

Model Pass Rate Tests Typical Mileage Lifespan
Mercedes-benz Viano THIS CAR 76.0% 134,814 100,329 mi 22 yrs
Mercedes-benz C 77.6% 8,031,355 77,082 mi 32 yrs
Mercedes-benz E 79.4% 4,722,746 83,960 mi 33 yrs
Mercedes-benz A-class 77.6% 4,204,702 57,023 mi 28 yrs
Alfa Romeo Gtv 65.7% 93,802 80,546 mi 30 yrs

Compared to the Mercedes-benz C (77.6% pass rate) and the Mercedes-benz E (79.4% pass rate), the Mercedes-benz Viano trails behind on MOT reliability.

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Should you buy a used Mercedes-benz Viano?

The Mercedes-benz Viano has an overall MOT pass rate of 76.0% across 134,814 real MOT tests — comfortably above the UK average, which puts it among the more reliable models on UK roads.

The most common problems on the Mercedes-benz Viano are tyre tread depth below requirements of 1.6mm (2,410 recorded failures), windscreen wiper does not clear the windscreen effectively (1,125), and parking brake: efficiency below requirements (1,075). These are the faults most likely to cause an MOT failure on this model, so check for them carefully on any test drive or pre-purchase inspection. Many are wear-and-tear items that can be budgeted for, but a car that's already failing on multiple fronts may signal neglected maintenance.

On the safety side, the most frequently flagged dangerous fault is tyre tread depth below requirements of 1.6mm. Dangerous faults cause an immediate MOT failure and mean the vehicle is not roadworthy until repaired. If you're viewing a Mercedes-benz Viano with an expired or recently passed MOT, ask the seller whether any dangerous faults were found and fixed during the last test.

A typical Mercedes-benz Viano owner drives around 9,441 miles per year. If the car you're looking at is significantly above this, expect more wear on suspension, brakes and tyres. If it's well below, the vehicle may have been sitting unused — check for perished rubber, corroded discs and stale fluids.

In terms of longevity, most Mercedes-benz Viano models stay on UK roads for around 22 years — a strong showing that suggests solid build quality and readily available parts. If you're buying one that's already approaching that window, the data suggests it has plenty of life left provided it's been maintained.

Before committing to a purchase, we recommend running a full vehicle history check on the specific car. This will reveal any outstanding finance, stolen markers, write-off history and mileage discrepancies that the seller may not disclose — and that the MOT data alone can't tell you.

Mercedes-benz Viano — Frequently Asked Questions

Is the Mercedes-benz Viano reliable?
Based on 134,814 MOT tests, the Mercedes-benz Viano has a 76.0% pass rate — above the UK average, suggesting good reliability.
What are the common problems on a Mercedes-benz Viano?
The most common MOT failures are tyre tread depth below requirements of 1.6mm, windscreen wiper does not clear the windscreen effectively, and parking brake: efficiency below requirements. Check these on any test drive.
How many miles does a Mercedes-benz Viano do per year?
The typical Mercedes-benz Viano does around 9,441 miles per year. Anything significantly above or below this is worth investigating.
How long does a Mercedes-benz Viano last?
Most Mercedes-benz Viano models stay on UK roads for around 22 years based on our analysis of 8,421 vehicles.
Should I get a vehicle check before buying a Mercedes-benz Viano?
Yes. An MOT pass rate tells you about the model in general, but a vehicle history check reveals the specific car's finance, stolen, write-off and mileage history — things the seller may not disclose.
What is the best year to buy a Mercedes-benz Viano?
Based on MOT pass rates, the best year to buy a used Mercedes-benz Viano is 2014 with a 80.4% pass rate across 10,057 tests.