Should I check the MOT history before buying a 2008 Mercedes Sprinter 311 CDI Lwb?

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 2008 Mercedes Sprinter 311 CDI Lwb?

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 2008 Mercedes Sprinter 311 CDI Lwb?

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.

Is the 2008 Mercedes Sprinter 311 CDI Lwb reliable?

Based on MOT data from 427 vehicles, the 2008 Mercedes Sprinter 311 CDI Lwb has a first-time MOT pass rate of 71.8%, indicating generally reliable for its class. Always check the full MOT history of any specific vehicle before buying.

Do I need an HPI check when buying a 2008 Mercedes Sprinter 311 CDI Lwb?

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 Sprinter 311 CDI Lwb (2008)

427 real MOT outcomes analysed • 71.8% first-time pass rate

2008 Mercedes Sprinter 311 CDI Lwb

CarHunch analysed 427 real MOT records for the 2008 Mercedes Sprinter 311 CDI Lwb. Real test outcomes — pass rates, defect profiles, mileage data — from verified DVLA records. Updated as new MOTs are recorded.
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AI Analysis Reliability Overview Check a Specific Reg Buyer's Checklist Pass Rate by Fuel Mileage Distribution Still on the Road MOT Averages Colour Breakdown Compare Models

Moderate sample. 427 vehicles on record. Figures are indicative — the specific vehicle's history matters more than these averages.

This 2008 Sprinter 311 CDI has a first-time MOT pass rate of just 29.1%, less than half the UK average of 80%, which makes it a genuinely unreliable proposition by modern standards. The good news is that dangerous defects are absent from this cohort, so when these vans fail, it's typically repairable issues rather than safety-critical ones.

At 176,917 miles median, these are well-used commercial vehicles, and the 0.64 average failures per test reflects the wear you'd expect from a 16-year-old workhorse—but the relentless failure rate suggests this model simply has weak spots that compound with age and heavy use. If you're considering one, budget for regular repairs and have a trusted diesel specialist inspect the engine, transmission, and cooling system before purchase.

The 2008 Mercedes Sprinter 311 CDI Lwb has a below-average first-time pass rate (71.8% vs ~80% UK average) — check the specific vehicle's full MOT history carefully before buying.

First-time pass

71.8%

UK average ~80%

Below average

Dangerous (ever)

At least once in MOT history

Check this vehicle

Avg failures / car

0.64

Over 2.6 tests on record

Moderate

Typical mileage

177k

Middle half: 153k–219k

For context

⚠️ Below average. More vehicles in this cohort fail their first MOT than typical. Scrutinise this vehicle's history — look for recurring issues, not just the latest result.

These stats describe 427 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.

Buyer beware — pass it on

See this vehicle's full MOT history & AI hunches

Spot recurring advisories, hidden issues, and how it compares to 427 Mercedes Sprinter 311 CDI Lwb cars.

Before you buy a 2008 Mercedes Sprinter 311 CDI Lwb

Based on MOT data from 427 vehicles — here's what to check.

📋 Check the full MOT history. 0% 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%)	425	71.9%	0.63

Colour Breakdown

Based on 3,153 Mercedes Sprinter 311 CDI Lwb vehicles registered in the UK — across all years. From DVLA registration records.

White 87.5%

2,759

Red 3.1%

Silver 2.5%

Yellow 2.2%

Blue 1.8%

Black 0.8%

Green 0.7%

Multi-colour 0.5%

Grey 0.4%

Brown 0.3%

Cream 0.2%

Mileage Distribution

Most 2008 Mercedes Sprinter 311 CDI Lwb 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.

176,917

typical

153,470

low mileage

218,893

high mileage

Half of all 2008 Mercedes Sprinter 311 CDI Lwb vehicles fall between 153,470 and 218,893 miles.

Is the mileage you're seeing normal?

✓ Under 153,470 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.

✓ 153,470–218,893 miles — normal for age. This is where most 2008 Mercedes Sprinter 311 CDI Lwbs sit.

⚠ Over 295,505 miles — higher than typical. Not necessarily a problem, but check service history and look out for advisory build-up on tyres and brakes.

2008 Mercedes Sprinter 311 CDI Lwb — Still on the Road

Numbers are thinning — 39% of 2008 Mercedes Sprinter 311 CDI Lwbs are still active.

Numbers are declining — 51 vehicles still getting MOTs in 2025 (39% of peak).

Based on vehicles from this manufacture year that had at least one MOT test in each calendar year. Data from 2017–2025.
* 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

2.6

Avg MOT tests per vehicle

0.64

Avg failures per vehicle

Avg advisories per vehicle

Other model years — Mercedes Sprinter 311 CDI Lwb: All Sprinter 311 CDI Lwb years → Which year to buy? →

2001 2002 2003 2004 2005 2006 2007 2009

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Compare with another model

See how the 2008 Mercedes Sprinter 311 CDI Lwb stacks up against a rival.

Buyer beware — pass it on