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W281 VAJ

2000 Mercedes-benz Sprinter

White Diesel 2151cc
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MOT Status

Valid
Expires26 May 2027
Tests32 (19 pass, 13 fail)
Pass rate59.4%

Mileage

169,936 mi
Last recorded169,936 miles
Recorded on27 May 2026
Typical for 2000 Mercedes-benz Sprinter157,576 mi

Below or average mileage for this year

4 checks still locked for this Mercedes-benz
Stolen
Finance
Write-off
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Vehicle Details

RegistrationW281 VAJ
MakeMercedes-benz
ModelSprinter
Year2000
ColourWhite
Fuel typeDiesel
Engine2,151cc

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

19 pass 13 fail
Pass 27 May 2026 169,936 miles

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

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

Fail 22 May 2026 169,917 miles

Fuel hose leaking on injectors (6.1.3 (b) (i))

Nearside Suspension component mounting prescribed area is inadequately repaired inner sill (5.3.6 (a) (i))

Offside Suspension component mounting prescribed area is inadequately repaired inner sill (5.3.6 (a) (i))

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

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

Fail 13 May 2026 169,908 miles

Battery insecure and likely to fall from carrier (4.13 (a) (ii))

Nearside Front Headlamp has a product on the light source so that the light output is severely reduced (4.1.4 (b))

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

Offside Front Headlamp has a product on the light source so that the light output is severely reduced (4.1.4 (b))

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

Offside Front Shock absorbers has negligible damping effect (5.3.2 (d))

Offside Front Vehicle structure is fractured and structural rigidity is significantly reduced (6.1.1 (a) (i))

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

Registration plate lamp inoperative in the case of a single lamp or all lamps (4.7.1 (b) (ii))

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

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

Pass 8 Jul 2024 168,272 miles
Pass 18 Jul 2023 164,137 miles
Fail 4 Jul 2023 164,107 miles

Nearside Front Headlamp not working on main beam (4.1.1 (a) (ii))

Offside Front Direction indicator not working (4.4.1 (a) (ii))

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

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

Rear Registration plate lamp inoperative in the case of a single lamp or all lamps (4.7.1 (b) (ii))

Pass 12 Jul 2022 162,284 miles
Fail 5 Jul 2022 162,268 miles

Nearside Front Headlamp not working on main beam (4.1.1 (a) (ii))

Offside Front Suspension component mounting prescribed area excessively corroded significantly reducing structural strength Inner wing (5.3.6 (a) (i))

Pass 5 Aug 2021 161,200 miles

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

Nearside Rear Brake hose slightly deteriorated (1.1.12 (b) (ii))

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

Offside Front Wheel bearing has slight play (5.1.3 (a) (i))

There is general corrosion to the body

Fail 3 Aug 2021 161,194 miles

Exhaust has a major leak of exhaust gases centre pipe has many holes (6.1.2 (a))

Nearside Front Brake hose excessively deteriorated (1.1.12 (b) (ii))

Nearside Front Position lamp not working (4.2.1 (a) (ii))

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

Offside Front Brake hose excessively deteriorated (1.1.12 (b) (ii))

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

Offside Rear Outer Suspension component mounting prescribed area excessively corroded significantly reducing structural strength sill (5.3.6 (a) (i))

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

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

Nearside Rear Brake hose slightly deteriorated (1.1.12 (b) (ii))

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

Offside Front Wheel bearing has slight play (5.1.3 (a) (i))

There is general corrosion to the body

Pass 7 Jul 2020 160,145 miles

Nearside Rear Brakes imbalanced requirements only just met. It would appear that the braking system requires adjustment or repair. needs adjustment (1.2.1 (b) (i))

Nearside front door bottom has corrosion

Nearside rear lower quarter has corrosion

Offside front door bottom has corrosion

Fail 7 Jul 2020 160,145 miles

Exhaust system insecure (6.1.2 (a))

Nearside Rear Brakes imbalanced requirements only just met. It would appear that the braking system requires adjustment or repair. needs adjustment (1.2.1 (b) (i))

Nearside front door bottom has corrosion

Nearside rear lower quarter has corrosion

Offside front door bottom has corrosion

Pass 28 Feb 2019 158,734 miles

Nearside Front door has corrosion

Nearside Rear Bumper end cap missing

Offside Front door has corrosion

Pass 15 Mar 2018 155,686 miles
Fail 8 Mar 2018 155,654 miles

Nearside Outer Vehicle structure has excessive corrosion, seriously affecting its strength within 30cm of the body mountings sill (6.1.B.2)

Offside Outer Vehicle structure has excessive corrosion, seriously affecting its strength within 30cm of the body mountings sill (6.1.B.2)

Pass 28 Mar 2017 153,383 miles

Nearside Front Door sharp edge taped up

Nearside Rear Bumper end cap removed

Pass 5 Jan 2016 148,834 miles

Offside and nearside front door bottoms have corrosion.

Pass 8 Dec 2014 140,546 miles
Fail 1 Dec 2014 140,426 miles

Brake load sensing valve linkage seized (3.6.E.3)

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

Nearside Front suspension has excessive play in a lower suspension ball joint (2.5.B.1a)

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

Nearside Rear Coil spring mounting loose (2.4.C.3a)

Offside Front Coil spring mounting loose (2.4.C.3a)

Offside Front suspension has excessive play in a lower suspension ball joint (2.5.B.1a)

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

Pass 18 Oct 2013 139,959 miles
Fail 9 Oct 2013 139,954 miles

Body has a sharp edge caused by corrosion (6.1.C.1)

Nearside Rear Suspension component mounting prescribed area is excessively corroded (2.4.A.3)

Offside Rear Suspension component mounting prescribed area is excessively corroded (2.4.A.3)

Pass 4 Feb 2013 135,154 miles
Fail 23 Feb 2012 131,127 miles

Nearside Front Direction indicator slightly discoloured (1.4.A.2f)

Nearside Headlamp aim too low (1.8)

Offside Front Direction indicator slightly discoloured (1.4.A.2f)

Offside Headlamp aim too low (1.8)

Parking brake: parking brake efficiency only just met. It would appear that the braking system requires adjustment or repair. (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)

underside of van showing signs of rust

Pass 23 Feb 2012 131,127 miles

Nearside Front Direction indicator slightly discoloured (1.4.A.2f)

Offside Front Direction indicator slightly discoloured (1.4.A.2f)

Parking brake: parking brake efficiency only just met. It would appear that the braking system requires adjustment or repair. (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)

underside of van showing signs of rust

Pass 20 Jan 2011 126,909 miles

Nearside Front Front wheel bearing has slight play (2.5.A.3c)

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

Pass 15 Dec 2009 119,927 miles

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

Pass 24 Oct 2008 113,923 miles
Fail 14 Oct 2008 113,911 miles

Nearside Brake cable has wires broken and is significantly weakened (3.5.1b)

Nearside Headlamp aim too low and too far to the left. (1.8)

Nearside Windscreen washer provides insufficient washer liquid (8.2.3)

Offside Front Body has a sharp edge caused by damage (6.1.C.1)

Offside Headlamp aim too low and too far to the right. (1.8)

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

Parking brake lever ratchet mechanism is broken (3.1.5)

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

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

Fail 11 Jun 2008 113,370 miles

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

Offside Headlamp aim too low and too far to the right. (1.8)

Offside Headlamp not working on dipped beam (1.7.5a)

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

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

Pass 25 Apr 2007 95,144 miles
Fail 24 Apr 2007 95,144 miles

Front brake disc in such a condition that it is seriously weakened (3.5.1i)

Offside Front Front suspension has excessive play in a lower suspension ball joint (2.5.B.1a)

Nearside Rear Tyre worn close to the legal limit (4.1.E.1)

Pass 3 Apr 2006 79,762 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

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W281 VAJ is a 2000 Mercedes-benz Sprinter in White with a 2,151cc diesel engine. This vehicle has been through 32 MOT tests with a personal pass rate of 59.4%.

Across all 2000 Mercedes-benz Sprinter models, the average MOT pass rate is 65.7% with a typical mileage of 157,576 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 W281 VAJ, 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 26 years old, this Mercedes-benz Sprinter is approaching the upper end of the typical lifespan for this model.

Frequently Asked Questions

How do I check the history of W281 VAJ?

You can check the full history of W281 VAJ by running a full vehicle check. This shows you finance, stolen, write-off, MOT history, mileage records and more.

What year was W281 VAJ registered?

W281 VAJ is a 2000 Mercedes-benz Sprinter, first registered on 10 March 2000.

Is W281 VAJ safe to buy?

The MOT history for W281 VAJ shows 32 tests with a 59.4% pass rate. To check for outstanding finance, stolen markers, write-off history and mileage discrepancies, run a full vehicle check.

Does W281 VAJ 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 W281 VAJ. 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.