Mercedes Benz Vito (2008)

7,210 real MOT outcomes analysed • 72.6% first-time pass rate

2008 Mercedes Benz Vito

CarHunch analysed 7,210 real MOT records for the 2008 Mercedes Benz Vito. This breakdown of actual test outcomes — pass rates, defect profiles, mileage data — isn't published anywhere else.

The 2008 Mercedes-Benz Vito's first-time pass rate of 72.6% sits well below the UK average of 80%, signalling notably weaker reliability for this van generation. More concerning, nearly half of all vehicles in this cohort (49.1%) have recorded a dangerous defect at some point, which is a serious red flag for any prospective buyer.

These Vitos are running at a median 124,010 miles, which is predictable for their age, but they're accumulating nearly 5 failures and almost 24 advisories per test cycle on average—telling you that wear and breakdowns are widespread once these vans get into their second decade. Before committing to one, have an independent pre-purchase inspection focus on the braking system, suspension, and engine seals, as these failure patterns cluster around those areas.

Below average reliability 7.4% below UK average
72.6%
pass MOT first time
UK average: ~80%
124,010
typical mileage
95,040–157,857 middle half
49.2%
ever had a dangerous defect
recorded at any MOT
4.91
avg MOT failures per car
over 17.1 tests on record

What to check before buying a 2008 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.
  • ⚠️ 49.2% 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%) 7,189 72.5% 4.92
Petrol (0%) 19 81.4% 2.11
Gas Bi-Fuel (0%) 1 77.8% 2
LPG (0%) 1 71.4% 6

Mileage Distribution

Most 2008 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.

95,040
low mileage
124,010
typical
157,857
high mileage

Half of all 2008 Mercedes Benz Vito vehicles fall between 95,040 and 157,857 miles.

2008 Mercedes Benz Vito — Still on the Road

3,732 vehicles still getting MOTs in 2025 — 57% of the peak remain.

6,508 3,732 2014 2025

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

17.1
Avg MOT tests per vehicle
4.91
Avg failures per vehicle
23.8
Avg advisories per vehicle

Most Common MOT Issues — 2008 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.

  • 61.1%
    Oil leak, but not excessive
  • 51.1%
    Offside Rear Tyre worn close to the legal limit
  • 49.8%
    Nearside Rear Tyre worn close to the legal limit
  • 40.9%
    Nearside Front Tyre worn close to legal limit/worn on edge
  • 39.2%
    Offside Rear Tyre worn close to legal limit/worn on edge
  • 38.8%
    Offside Front Brake pipe corroded, covered in grease or other material
  • 38.5%
    Parking brake lever has little reserve travel
  • 38.4%
    Offside Rear Brake pipe corroded, covered in grease or other material

Data covers a 3-year window centred on 2008. 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.

UK

Other model years — Mercedes Benz Vito:

1996 1997 1998 1999 2000 2001 2002 2003 2004 2005 2006 2007 2009 2010 2011 2012 2013 2014 2015 2016 2017 2018 2019 2020 2021 2022 2023