Mercedes Benz Sprinter (2016)
2016 Mercedes Benz Sprinter
CarHunch analysed 21,268 real MOT records for the 2016 Mercedes Benz Sprinter. This breakdown of actual test outcomes — pass rates, defect profiles, mileage data — isn't published anywhere else.
The 2016 Mercedes-Benz Sprinter passes its MOT at 79%, just shy of the UK average of 80%—solid performance overall, but the fact that 29.1% of these vehicles have had a dangerous defect flagged at some point is a genuine concern for a potential buyer and suggests closer pre-purchase inspection is warranted. With a median mileage of 122,537 miles at eight years old, these are typical working vans that have seen real use.
When they do fail, Sprinters average 1.54 failures and 9.7 advisories per test, indicating that while major issues aren't the norm, minor wear items and maintenance gaps are common—particularly in commercial environments where service schedules slip. Before committing to one, budget for a thorough pre-purchase inspection focusing on suspension, braking, and engine condition, and verify the full service history to understand what corners may have been cut during its working life.
What to check before buying a 2016 Mercedes Benz Sprinter
Practical pre-purchase checks for this age and model.
- 📋 Check the full MOT history. Look for recurring advisories — slow-building issues like corrosion or brake wear patterns show up years before they become failures. Enter the reg below for a full AI analysis.
- 🔍 Inspect for corrosion in person. Brake pipes, sills, subframes, and chassis legs. Surface rust is normal at this age; structural rust is a serious problem that's expensive to fix and can fail an MOT.
- 🛞 Check tyres and brakes. The most common advisory items at this age. Budget for replacement if they're near the limit — factor this into your offer price.
- ⚠️ 29.2% of these vehicles have had a dangerous defect recorded. Enter the reg below — the full MOT history will show exactly what was flagged and whether it was resolved.
- 📄 Run an HPI check. The MOT history won't show outstanding finance, insurance write-offs, or stolen status — an HPI check will.
Before you buy a Mercedes Benz Sprinter
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Pass Rate by Fuel Type
| Fuel type | Vehicles | Pass rate | Avg failures |
|---|---|---|---|
| Diesel (100%) | 21,263 | 79% | 1.54 |
| Petrol (0%) | 3 | 77.2% | 2.33 |
| LPG (0%) | 1 | 87.5% | 1 |
| Gas (0%) | 1 | 66.7% | 3 |
Mileage Distribution
Most 2016 Mercedes Benz Sprinter vehicles sit in the blue band. If the car you're looking at is outside it, it's either unusually low or high mileage for its age.
Half of all 2016 Mercedes Benz Sprinter vehicles fall between 83,808 and 169,593 miles.
2016 Mercedes Benz Sprinter — Still on the Road
13,748 vehicles still getting MOTs in 2025 — 71% of the peak remain.
Based on vehicles from this manufacture year that had at least one MOT test in each calendar year. Data from 2018–2025.
MOT History Averages
Most Common MOT Issues — 2016 Mercedes Benz Sprinter
Based on actual MOT test records for this model. Percentage shows how often each item appears across all vehicles in this cohort.
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31.1%
Windscreen damaged but not adversely affecting driver's view
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26.1%
Parking brake efficiency below requirements
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25.5%
Offside Rear Tyre worn close to legal limit/worn on edge
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23.3%
Nearside Rear Tyre worn close to legal limit/worn on edge
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22%
Oil leak, but not excessive
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20.9%
Offside Front Tyre worn close to legal limit/worn on edge
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19.9%
Nearside Front Tyre worn close to legal limit/worn on edge
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15.9%
Engine MIL inoperative or indicates a malfunction
Data covers a 3-year window centred on 2016. Counts include advisories and failures.
Found a specific Mercedes Benz Sprinter?
Enter the reg to see its individual MOT history, AI Hunches, and how it compares to this cohort.