Should I check the MOT history before buying a 2013 Mercedes Benz Viano?

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 2013 Mercedes Benz Viano?

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 2013 Mercedes Benz Viano?

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 2013 Mercedes Benz Viano vehicles have had dangerous defects recorded?

41% 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 2013 Mercedes Benz Viano reliable?

Based on MOT data from 856 vehicles, the 2013 Mercedes Benz Viano has a first-time MOT pass rate of 81.2%, indicating generally reliable for its class. Always check the full MOT history of any specific vehicle before buying.

What are common problems with the 2013 Mercedes Benz Viano?

The most frequently recorded MOT issues on the 2013 Mercedes Benz Viano are: Offside Rear Tyre worn close to legal limit/worn on edge (45.8% of vehicles), Nearside Front Tyre worn close to legal limit/worn on edge (44.1% of vehicles), Offside Front Tyre worn close to legal limit/worn on edge (43% 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 2013 Mercedes Benz Viano?

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.

CarHunch

Get Started

Mercedes Benz Viano (2013)

856 real MOT outcomes analysed • 81.2% first-time pass rate

2013 Mercedes Benz Viano

CarHunch analysed 856 real MOT records for the 2013 Mercedes Benz Viano. Real test outcomes — pass rates, defect profiles, mileage data — from verified DVLA records. Updated as new MOTs are recorded.
Which year to buy? →

On this page

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 2013 Mercedes-Benz Viano passes its MOT slightly above the UK average at 81.2%, but nearly half of these vehicles—41.4%—have recorded a dangerous defect at some point, which is a serious buyer concern that warrants a thorough pre-purchase inspection. The diesel engines (which make up virtually all examples) show no particular weakness at 81.1% pass rate.

With a median mileage of 88,301 miles for a ten-year-old vehicle, these Vianos are running typically, but they're generating an average of 2.6 failures and 14 advisories per test, suggesting wear is accumulating faster than the industry norm. If you're considering one, get a full diagnostic check of the braking and suspension systems—the high advisory rate points to these areas needing attention as the van ages.

The 2013 Mercedes Benz Viano has a decent first-time pass rate (81.2%), 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

81.2%

UK average ~80%

Around average

Dangerous (ever)

41.4%

At least once in MOT history

Check this vehicle

Avg failures / car

2.6

Over 12.8 tests on record

High

Typical mileage

88k

Middle half: 60k–121k

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 14 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 856 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 856 vehicles — figures show how many had each issue flagged at least once in their MOT history.

Tyre wear 45.8%

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

Other issues 28.5%

Oil leak, but not excessive · Windscreen damaged but not adversely affecting driver's view

Brake wear 20.3%

Parking brake efficiency below requirements · Rear Brake pad(s) wearing thin · Brake pedal wearing smooth · …

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

Suspension & steering 12.6%

Nearside Front Suspension arm pin or bush worn but not resulting in excessive movement · Offside Front Suspension arm pin or bush worn but not resulting in excessive movement

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 2013.

See this vehicle's full MOT history & AI hunches

Spot recurring advisories, hidden issues, and how it compares to 856 Mercedes Benz Viano cars.

Before you buy a 2013 Mercedes Benz Viano

Based on MOT data from 856 vehicles — here's what to check.

📋 Check the full MOT history. 41.4% 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 (98%)	840	81.1%	2.63

Colour Breakdown

Based on 8,221 Mercedes Benz Viano vehicles registered in the UK — across all years. From DVLA registration records.

Silver 53.5%

4,400

Black 31.2%

2,566

Grey 5.9%

483

Blue 3.4%

281

White 2.6%

217

Red 1.7%

136

Brown 0.6%

Green 0.5%

Purple 0.3%

Maroon 0.2%

Yellow 0.1%

Mileage Distribution

Most 2013 Mercedes Benz Viano 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.

88,301

typical

59,688

low mileage

120,731

high mileage

Half of all 2013 Mercedes Benz Viano vehicles fall between 59,688 and 120,731 miles.

Is the mileage you're seeing normal?

✓ Under 59,688 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.

✓ 59,688–120,731 miles — normal for age. This is where most 2013 Mercedes Benz Vianos sit.

⚠ Over 162,986 miles — higher than typical. Not necessarily a problem, but check service history and look out for advisory build-up on tyres and brakes.

2013 Mercedes Benz Viano — Still on the Road

Most 2013 Mercedes Benz Vianos are still being driven.

Strong survival — 603 vehicles still getting MOTs in 2025, 80% of the peak.

Based on vehicles from this manufacture year that had at least one MOT test in each calendar year. Data from 2014–2025.
* 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

12.8

Avg MOT tests per vehicle

2.6

Avg failures per vehicle

Avg advisories per vehicle

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

2004 2005 2006 2007 2008 2009 2010 2011 2012 2014 2015

Or browse all models: Mercedes Benz →

Compare with another model

See how the 2013 Mercedes Benz Viano stacks up against a rival.

Watch for defects — worth knowing