CarVerify

Free Car Check

RU51 ESE

2009 Mercedes-benz Sprinter

Red Diesel 2148cc
Search another vehicle

MOT Status

Valid
Expires27 Nov 2026
Tests21 (13 pass, 8 fail)
Pass rate61.9%

Mileage

159,945 mi
Last recorded159,945 miles
Recorded on28 Nov 2025
Typical for 2009 Mercedes-benz Sprinter142,212 mi

Above average mileage for this year

4 checks still locked for this Mercedes-benz
Stolen
Finance
Write-off
Keepers
Unlock full report — £4.99
Instant £30k guarantee
or single check £9.99

Not all car check providers offer a guarantee. Don't risk buying from services that can't back their data. CarVerify reports include a £30,000 finance data guarantee.

Vehicle Details

RegistrationRU51 ESE
MakeMercedes-benz
ModelSprinter
Year2009
ColourRed
Fuel typeDiesel
Engine2,148cc

All premium checks include

50+ data points
Finance Check (Experian) Insurance Write-off Salvage Auction Stolen Check Previous Owners Ex-Taxi, Police, NHS Mileage Anomaly Import / Export Scrapped Check Plate Changes

MOT History

13 pass 8 fail
Pass 28 Nov 2025 159,945 miles

Nearside Front Brake pipe corroded, covered in grease or other material (1.1.11 (c))

Nearside Front Position lamp incorrect colour (4.2.3 (a) (i))

Nearside Front Shock absorbers has a reduced damping effect (5.3.2 (d))

Nearside Front Shock absorbers has light misting of oil (5.3.2 (b))

Nearside Rear Anti-roll bar linkage pin or bush worn but not resulting in excessive movement (5.3.4 (a) (i))

Nearside Rear Tyre worn close to legal limit/worn on edge (5.2.3 (e))

Offside Front Brake pipe corroded, covered in grease or other material (1.1.11 (c))

Offside Front Position lamp incorrect colour (4.2.3 (a) (i))

Offside Front Shock absorbers has light misting of oil (5.3.2 (b))

Offside Rear Anti-roll bar linkage pin or bush worn but not resulting in excessive movement (5.3.4 (a) (i))

Offside Rear Tyre worn close to legal limit/worn on edge (5.2.3 (e))

Play in steering rack inner joint(s) ()

Pass 21 Nov 2024 143,000 miles

Nearside Front Shock absorbers has light misting of oil (5.3.2 (b))

Nearside Front Tyre worn close to legal limit/worn on edge Worn on both edges. (5.2.3 (e))

Nearside Rear Direction indicator lens defective which has no effect on emitted light (4.4.1 (b) (i))

Offside Front Play in steering rack inner joint(s) ()

Offside Front Shock absorbers has light misting of oil (5.3.2 (b))

Offside Front Windscreen wiper blade defective (3.4 (b) (i))

Offside Rear Anti-roll bar linkage pin or bush worn but not resulting in excessive movement (5.3.4 (a) (i))

Offside Rear Direction indicator lens defective which has no effect on emitted light (4.4.1 (b) (i))

Fail 21 Nov 2024 143,000 miles

Nearside Front Shock absorbers has light misting of oil (5.3.2 (b))

Nearside Front Tyre worn close to legal limit/worn on edge Worn on both edges. (5.2.3 (e))

Nearside Rear Direction indicator lens defective which has no effect on emitted light (4.4.1 (b) (i))

Nearside Rear Outline marker lamp not working (4.2.1 (a) (ii))

Offside Front Play in steering rack inner joint(s) ()

Offside Front Shock absorbers has light misting of oil (5.3.2 (b))

Offside Front Windscreen wiper blade defective (3.4 (b) (i))

Offside Rear Anti-roll bar linkage pin or bush worn but not resulting in excessive movement (5.3.4 (a) (i))

Offside Rear Direction indicator lens defective which has no effect on emitted light (4.4.1 (b) (i))

Offside Rear Outline marker lamp not working (4.2.1 (a) (ii))

Pass 31 Oct 2023 135,090 miles

Nearside Rear Shock absorbers has slight external damage to the casing casing corroded (5.3.2 (b))

Offside Front Brake pipe corroded, covered in grease or other material under wheel arch and subframe (1.1.11 (c))

Offside Front Suspension arm corroded but not seriously weakened (5.3.3 (b) (i))

Offside Rear Shock absorbers has slight external damage to the casing casing corroded (5.3.2 (b))

Offside Track rod end ball joint has slight play (2.1.3 (b) (i))

Pass 25 Nov 2022 130,077 miles

General corrosion underneath of vehicle

Nearside Front Brake pipe corroded, covered in grease or other material (1.1.11 (c))

Nearside Rear Shock absorbers has a slightly worn bush (5.3.2 (c))

Offside Front Brake pipe corroded, covered in grease or other material (1.1.11 (c))

Offside Front Play in steering rack inner joint(s) ()

Offside Rear Shock absorbers has a slightly worn bush (5.3.2 (c))

Fail 16 Nov 2022 130,063 miles

Exhaust has a major leak of exhaust gases Flexy section (6.1.2 (a))

Nearside Front Outline marker lamp not working (4.2.1 (a) (ii))

Offside Front Outline marker lamp not working (4.2.1 (a) (ii))

General corrosion underneath of vehicle

Nearside Front Brake pipe corroded, covered in grease or other material (1.1.11 (c))

Nearside Rear Shock absorbers has a slightly worn bush (5.3.2 (c))

Offside Front Brake pipe corroded, covered in grease or other material (1.1.11 (c))

Offside Front Play in steering rack inner joint(s) ()

Offside Rear Shock absorbers has a slightly worn bush (5.3.2 (c))

Pass 15 Nov 2021 125,295 miles

Both rear shock absorber outer casings corroded

Brake pipe corroded, covered in grease or other material Both front to middles (1.1.11 (c))

General corrosion on dipper subframe and bed

Hydraulic leak, but not excessive Tipper bed (8.4.1 (a) (i))

Nearside Front Brake pipe corroded, covered in grease or other material (1.1.11 (c))

Nearside Rear Shock absorbers has a slightly worn bush (5.3.2 (c))

Offside Front Brake pipe corroded, covered in grease or other material (1.1.11 (c))

Offside Front Play in steering rack inner joint(s) ()

Offside Rear Shock absorbers has a slightly worn bush (5.3.2 (c))

Rear exhaust sleeve corroded and worn

Fail 9 Nov 2021 125,292 miles

Nearside Front Brake disc significantly and obviously worn (1.1.14 (a) (i))

Nearside Front Lower Suspension arm ball joint excessively worn (5.3.4 (a) (i))

Nearside Rear Parking brake inoperative on one side (1.4.1 (a))

Nearside Rear Tyre has a cut in excess of the requirements deep enough to reach the ply or cords (5.2.3 (d) (i))

Offside Front Brake disc significantly and obviously worn (1.1.14 (a) (i))

Offside Front Lower Suspension arm ball joint excessively worn (5.3.4 (a) (i))

Rear Registration plate does not conform to the specified requirements Incorrectly positioned (0.1 (d))

Nearside Rear Anti-roll bar pin or bush likely to become detached D bush insecure (5.3.4 (a) (ii)) DANGEROUS

Both rear shock absorber outer casings corroded

Brake pipe corroded, covered in grease or other material Both front to middles (1.1.11 (c))

General corrosion on dipper subframe and bed

Hydraulic leak, but not excessive Tipper bed (8.4.1 (a) (i))

Nearside Front Brake pipe corroded, covered in grease or other material (1.1.11 (c))

Nearside Rear Axle seal leaking oil

Nearside Rear Shock absorbers has a slightly worn bush (5.3.2 (c))

Offside Front Brake pipe corroded, covered in grease or other material (1.1.11 (c))

Offside Front Play in steering rack inner joint(s) ()

Offside Rear Shock absorbers has a slightly worn bush (5.3.2 (c))

Rear exhaust sleeve corroded and worn

Pass 18 Nov 2020 120,586 miles

Nearside Front Brake disc worn, pitted or scored, but not seriously weakened (1.1.14 (a) (ii))

Nearside Front Brake pipe corroded, covered in grease or other material (1.1.11 (c))

Nearside Rear Shock absorbers has slight external damage to the casing (5.3.2 (b))

Offside Front Brake disc worn, pitted or scored, but not seriously weakened (1.1.14 (a) (ii))

Prop shaft bearing has slight play (6.1.7 (b) (i))

Fail 11 Nov 2020 120,580 miles

Headlamp aim not tested (4.1.2 (b))

Nearside Front Inner Track rod end ball joint has excessive play INNER TIE ROD (2.1.3 (b) (i))

Offside Front Headlamp not working on dipped beam (4.1.1 (a) (ii))

Offside Rear Rear fog lamp not working (4.5.1 (a) (ii))

Parking brake efficiency below requirements (1.4.2 (a) (i))

Parking brake lever has excessive movement indicating incorrect adjustment (1.1.6 (c))

Nearside Front Brake disc worn, pitted or scored, but not seriously weakened (1.1.14 (a) (ii))

Nearside Front Brake pipe corroded, covered in grease or other material (1.1.11 (c))

Nearside Rear Shock absorbers has slight external damage to the casing (5.3.2 (b))

Offside Front Brake disc worn, pitted or scored, but not seriously weakened (1.1.14 (a) (ii))

Offside Front Obligatory indirect vision device slightly damaged BLIND SPOT MIRROR (3.3 (b) (i))

Prop shaft bearing has slight play (6.1.7 (b) (i))

Pass 13 May 2019 119,356 miles

Nearside Front Brake pipe corroded, covered in grease or other material (1.1.11 (c))

Offside Steering rack has slight free play detected at steering wheel inner tie rod (2.3 (a) (i))

the emissions limits were tested and met but the DSM couldn’t register the reading

Fail 7 May 2019 119,354 miles

Central Rear Seat belt buckle not functioning as intended (7.1.2 (d))

Offside Front Brake pipe excessively corroded (1.1.11 (c))

Offside Rear Anti-roll bar pin or bush excessively worn d bush (5.3.4 (a) (i))

Offside Rear Service brake excessively binding (1.2.1 (f))

Parking brake efficiency below requirements (1.4.2 (a) (i))

Windscreen wiper does not clear the windscreen effectively both (3.4 (b) (ii))

Nearside Front Brake pipe corroded, covered in grease or other material (1.1.11 (c))

Offside Steering rack has slight free play detected at steering wheel inner tie rod (2.3 (a) (i))

the emissions limits were tested and met but the DSM couldn’t register the reading

Pass 25 Apr 2018 109,379 miles
Pass 8 May 2017 83,309 miles
Fail 2 May 2017 83,251 miles

Nearside Front Shock absorber has a serious fluid leak (2.7.3)

Nearside Front Windscreen wiper does not clear the windscreen effectively (8.2.2)

Nearside Front registration plate insecure (6.3.1b)

Nearside Rear Anti-roll bar has excessive play in a pin/bush (2.4.G.2)

Nearside Rear Brake pipe excessively corroded front to rear (3.6.B.2c)

Offside Front Tyre tread depth below requirements of 1.6mm (4.1.E.1)

Offside Front Windscreen wiper does not clear the windscreen effectively (8.2.2)

Offside Rear Anti-roll bar has excessive play in a pin/bush (2.4.G.2)

Offside Rear Brake pipe excessively corroded front to rear (3.6.B.2c)

Rear Parking brake lever has no reserve travel (3.1.6b)

Pass 25 Apr 2016 58,165 miles

Both front anti-roll bar D bushes slightly worn

Both rear anti-roll bar D bushes slightly worn

Offside rear anti-roll bar link bush slightly worn

Parking brake efficiency only just met.it appears the brakes may need repair or adjustment

Pass 23 Apr 2015 41,216 miles

Front Anti-roll bar rubber bush deteriorated but not resulting in excessive movement (2.4.G.2)

Front Suspension arm has slight play in a ball joint (2.4.G.2)

Front brake disc worn, pitted or scored, but not seriously weakened (3.5.1i)

Fail 22 Apr 2015 41,215 miles

Nearside rear parking brake recording little or no effort (3.7.B.6a)

Parking brake: efficiency below requirements (3.7.B.7) DANGEROUS

Front Anti-roll bar rubber bush deteriorated but not resulting in excessive movement (2.4.G.2)

Front Suspension arm has slight play in a ball joint (2.4.G.2)

Front brake disc worn, pitted or scored, but not seriously weakened (3.5.1i)

Pass 17 Apr 2014 36,442 miles
Fail 17 Apr 2014 36,442 miles

Front Brakes imbalanced across an axle (3.7.B.5b)

Nearside Front Windscreen wiper does not clear the windscreen effectively (8.2.2)

Offside Rear Rear position lamp(s) not working (1.1.A.3b)

Parking brake lever has no reserve travel (3.1.6b)

Parking brake: efficiency below requirements (3.7.B.7)

Service brake: service brake efficiency only just met. It would appear that the braking system requires adjustment or repair. (3.7.B.7)

Pass 23 May 2012 29,706 miles

How Reliable is the Mercedes-benz Sprinter?

Based on 4,037,050 MOT tests across 408,496 vehicles.

71.9%
Pass Rate
10,964
Miles/Year
30
Year Lifespan
408,496
On UK Roads

Top MOT Failure Points

Parking brake: efficiency below requirements 175,127
position lamp(s) not working 92,747
Registration plate lamp not working 78,072
Brake pipe excessively corroded 69,976
Windscreen wiper does not clear the windscreen effectively 68,847
Full Mercedes-benz Sprinter reliability report

Don't risk it. Know before you buy.

Not all vehicle check providers are the same. Some don't offer a data guarantee, which means if their information is wrong, you're on your own. Every CarVerify report is backed by a £30,000 finance data guarantee.

£30k guarantee Instant results Cancel anytime

RU51 ESE is a 2009 Mercedes-benz Sprinter in Red with a 2,148cc diesel engine. This vehicle has been through 21 MOT tests with a personal pass rate of 61.9%.

Across all 2009 Mercedes-benz Sprinter models, the average MOT pass rate is 71.7% with a typical mileage of 142,212 miles. This particular vehicle has a lower pass rate than the average for its year, which may indicate maintenance issues worth investigating.

The most common reason a Mercedes-benz Sprinter fails its MOT is parking brake: efficiency below requirements, accounting for 175,127 recorded failures. If you're considering buying RU51 ESE, it's worth having these areas checked by a mechanic before committing.

The Mercedes-benz Sprinter typically stays on UK roads for around 30 years. At 17 years old, this Mercedes-benz Sprinter is well into its expected lifespan but still has years ahead.

Frequently Asked Questions

How do I check the history of RU51 ESE?

You can check the full history of RU51 ESE by running a full vehicle check. This shows you finance, stolen, write-off, MOT history, mileage records and more.

What year was RU51 ESE registered?

RU51 ESE is a 2009 Mercedes-benz Sprinter, first registered on 28 May 2009.

Is RU51 ESE safe to buy?

The MOT history for RU51 ESE shows 21 tests with a 61.9% pass rate. To check for outstanding finance, stolen markers, write-off history and mileage discrepancies, run a full vehicle check.

Does RU51 ESE have outstanding finance?

Finance checks require a premium vehicle report. This checks against all major UK finance providers to see if there is any outstanding finance on RU51 ESE. If you buy a car with outstanding finance, the finance company can repossess it.

No warranty or guarantee of accuracy is provided for any free data on this page. The data guarantee applies only to information obtained through the purchase of a full check.