Should I check the MOT history before buying a 2016 Mercedes Benz Sprinter?

Yes. Look for recurring advisories — slow-building issues like corrosion or brake wear patterns show up years before they become failures. A full MOT history analysis will highlight patterns that a single test result won't reveal.

What corrosion should I look for when inspecting a 2016 Mercedes Benz Sprinter?

Check brake pipes, sills, subframes, and chassis legs. Surface rust is normal at this age; structural rust is a serious problem that is expensive to fix and can fail an MOT.

How are tyres and brakes typically on a 2016 Mercedes Benz Sprinter?

Tyres and brakes are the most common advisory items on vehicles of this age. Budget for replacement if they are near the limit, and factor this into your offer price.

How many 2016 Mercedes Benz Sprinter vehicles have had dangerous defects recorded?

29% of these vehicles have had a dangerous defect recorded. Search the registration on CarHunch — the full MOT history will show exactly what was flagged and whether it was resolved.

Is the 2016 Mercedes Benz Sprinter reliable?

Based on MOT data from 21,268 vehicles, the 2016 Mercedes Benz Sprinter has a first-time MOT pass rate of 81.4%, indicating generally reliable for its class. Always check the full MOT history of any specific vehicle before buying.

What are common problems with the 2016 Mercedes Benz Sprinter?

The most frequently recorded MOT issues on the 2016 Mercedes Benz Sprinter are: Windscreen damaged but not adversely affecting driver's view (31.1% of vehicles), Parking brake efficiency below requirements (26.1% of vehicles), Offside Rear Tyre worn close to legal limit/worn on edge (25.5% of vehicles). These figures are based on actual MOT test records — search a specific registration on CarHunch to see its individual history.

Do I need an HPI check when buying a 2016 Mercedes Benz Sprinter?

Yes. The MOT history will not show outstanding finance, insurance write-offs, or stolen status. An HPI check covers these areas and should be part of any used car purchase.

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Mercedes Benz Sprinter (2016)

21,268 real MOT outcomes analysed • 81.4% first-time pass rate

2016 Mercedes Benz Sprinter

CarHunch analysed 21,268 real MOT records for the 2016 Mercedes Benz Sprinter. Real test outcomes — pass rates, defect profiles, mileage data — from verified DVLA records. Updated as new MOTs are recorded.
Which year to buy? →

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AI Analysis Reliability Overview Common Issues Check a Specific Reg Buyer's Checklist Pass Rate by Fuel Mileage Distribution Still on the Road MOT Averages Colour Breakdown Compare Models

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.

The 2016 Mercedes Benz Sprinter has a decent first-time pass rate (81.4%), but a higher-than-average share of vehicles have had serious defects recorded — the individual vehicle's history matters a lot here.

⚠️ Over 1 in 5 of these vehicles have had a dangerous MOT failure at some point — usually tyres or brakes, and often a one-off issue rather than a persistent problem. The group stats won't tell you which one you're looking at.

First-time pass

81.4%

UK average ~80%

Around average

Dangerous (ever)

29.2%

At least once in MOT history

Check this vehicle

Avg failures / car

1.54

Over 7.2 tests on record

High

Typical mileage

123k

Middle half: 84k–170k

For context

🔧 Average reliability. Passes at roughly the UK rate — not a standout, not a problem vehicle. Individual history makes all the difference.

🔧 Expect consumable spend. An average of 9.7 advisories per vehicle tells you wear items (tyres, brakes) get flagged regularly. Budget for them — they're not surprises.

🔍 The dangerous defect figure is real. Most are one-off tyre failures or brake issues — not structural problems. But it's exactly why checking the individual vehicle's history is essential, not optional.

These stats describe 21,268 vehicles as a group. The specific vehicle you're looking at could be the one good example or the one outlier. Run its registration to find out.

Watch for defects — worth knowing

What tends to go wrong

Across 21,268 vehicles — figures show how many had each issue flagged at least once in their MOT history.

Other issues 31.1%

Windscreen damaged but not adversely affecting driver's view · Oil leak, but not excessive · Engine MIL inoperative or indicates a malfunction · …

Brake wear 26.1%

Parking brake efficiency below requirements · Front Brake disc worn, pitted or scored, but not seriously weakened · Front Brake pad(s) wearing thin · …

Ask the seller when brakes were last serviced. If they don't know, factor in the cost.

Tyre wear 25.5%

Offside Rear Tyre worn close to legal limit/worn on edge · Nearside Rear Tyre worn close to legal limit/worn on edge · Offside Front Tyre worn close to legal limit/worn on edge · …

Budget for a full set — on a vehicle this age, tyres are expected consumables. An inspection will confirm how much is left.

Suspension & steering 15.3%

Nearside Front Lower Suspension arm ball joint has slight play · Offside Front Suspension arm ball joint has slight play · Nearside Front Suspension arm ball joint has slight play · …

Harder to spot without a ramp — this is a good reason to book a pre-purchase inspection.

Data covers a 3-year window centred on 2016.

See this vehicle's full MOT history & AI hunches

Spot recurring advisories, hidden issues, and how it compares to 21,268 Mercedes Benz Sprinter cars.

Before you buy a 2016 Mercedes Benz Sprinter

Based on MOT data from 21,268 vehicles — here's what to check.

📋 Check the full MOT history. 29.2% of these vehicles have had a dangerous defect recorded - recurring advisories often signal problems years before they become failures.
Search the reg on CarHunch for the full MOT history, reliability stats and a free AI-powered analysis of that exact vehicle.
🔍 Brake pipes, sills and subframes are the key areas on a vehicle this age — structural rust is hard to spot without getting underneath. A mechanic will check all of this before you commit, and give you a concrete basis to negotiate on price. Inspection →
📄 Outstanding finance, insurance write-offs and clocking won't appear in the MOT records — a dedicated history check covers all of this. Our link gets you 20% off automatically. History Get 20% off via CarHunch

Pass Rate by Fuel Type

Fuel type	Vehicles	Pass rate	Avg failures
Diesel (100%)	21,263	81.4%	1.54

Colour Breakdown

Based on 403,725 Mercedes Benz Sprinter vehicles registered in the UK — across all years. From DVLA registration records.

White 75.7%

305,648

Silver 6%

24,107

Blue 5%

20,257

Yellow 3.7%

14,808

Red 2.8%

11,179

Green 2.2%

8,813

Grey 2%

8,176

Black 1.5%

6,117

Brown 0.5%

2,069

Orange 0.3%

1,114

Multi-colour 0.2%

956

Cream 0.1%

481

Mileage Distribution

Most 2016 Mercedes Benz Sprinter vehicles sit in the blue band. If the vehicle you're looking at is outside it, it's either unusually low or high mileage for its age.

122,537

typical

83,808

low mileage

169,593

high mileage

Half of all 2016 Mercedes Benz Sprinter vehicles fall between 83,808 and 169,593 miles.

Is the mileage you're seeing normal?

✓ Under 83,808 miles — lower than most. Could be great, or could be a vehicle that rarely moved. Check test frequency and mileage progression in the MOT history.

✓ 83,808–169,593 miles — normal for age. This is where most 2016 Mercedes Benz Sprinters sit.

⚠ Over 228,950 miles — higher than typical. Not necessarily a problem, but check service history and look out for advisory build-up on tyres and brakes.

2016 Mercedes Benz Sprinter — Still on the Road

Most 2016 Mercedes Benz Sprinters are still being driven.

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.
* The 2020 dip reflects the government's COVID-19 MOT exemption, which allowed certificates to be extended by six months — fewer tests were conducted that year.

MOT History Averages

7.2

Avg MOT tests per vehicle

1.54

Avg failures per vehicle

9.7

Avg advisories per vehicle

Other model years — Mercedes Benz Sprinter: All Sprinter years → Which year to buy? →

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Compare with another model

See how the 2016 Mercedes Benz Sprinter stacks up against a rival.

Watch for defects — worth knowing