Mercedes Benz Vito (2005)
2005 Mercedes Benz Vito
CarHunch analysed 7,695 real MOT records for the 2005 Mercedes Benz Vito. This breakdown of actual test outcomes — pass rates, defect profiles, mileage data — isn't published anywhere else.
The 2005 Mercedes-Benz Vito is significantly less reliable than the UK average, with a first-time pass rate of just 70.1% against the national 80%, and nearly half of these vans (44.2%) have had a dangerous defect recorded—a serious concern for a buyer. This is a van that needs a careful pre-purchase inspection before you commit.
These are working vehicles with genuinely high mileage: the median sits at 115,624 miles for a 19-year-old van, which is reasonable for the age, but the real issue is the failure count—owners face an average of 5.28 failures per MOT cycle, plus 27.6 advisories, pointing to systemic wear across brakes, suspension, and emissions systems. Have a full mechanical survey done by a specialist van engineer before buying, and budget for repairs—this isn't a first-van choice.
What to check before buying a 2005 Mercedes Benz Vito
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.
- ⚠️ 44.2% 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 Vito
MOT history is one piece of the puzzle. These checks can reveal what CarHunch can't.
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Pass Rate by Fuel Type
| Fuel type | Vehicles | Pass rate | Avg failures |
|---|---|---|---|
| Diesel (100%) | 7,668 | 70.1% | 5.28 |
| Petrol (0%) | 26 | 75.9% | 3.96 |
| Other (0%) | 1 | 75% | 3 |
Mileage Distribution
Most 2005 Mercedes Benz Vito 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 2005 Mercedes Benz Vito vehicles fall between 89,987 and 145,851 miles.
2005 Mercedes Benz Vito — Still on the Road
Numbers are declining — 1,465 vehicles still getting MOTs in 2025 (23% of peak).
Based on vehicles from this manufacture year that had at least one MOT test in each calendar year. Data from 2014–2025.
MOT History Averages
Most Common MOT Issues — 2005 Mercedes Benz Vito
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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64%
Offside Rear Tyre worn close to the legal limit
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62.3%
Nearside Rear Tyre worn close to the legal limit
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54.7%
Nearside Front Brake hose slightly deteriorated
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53.4%
Offside Front Brake hose slightly deteriorated
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52.3%
Nearside Front Tyre worn close to the legal limit
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44.5%
Offside Front Tyre worn close to the legal limit
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34.6%
Offside Front Brake pipe slightly corroded
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33.8%
Parking brake lever has little reserve travel
Data covers a 3-year window centred on 2005. Counts include advisories and failures.
Found a specific Mercedes Benz Vito?
Enter the reg to see its individual MOT history, AI Hunches, and how it compares to this cohort.