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

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 Mwb?

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 Mwb?

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 Mwb reliable?

Based on MOT data from 112 vehicles, the 2008 Mercedes Sprinter 311 CDI Mwb has a first-time MOT pass rate of 73%, 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 Mwb?

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 Sprinter 311 CDI Mwb (2008)

112 real MOT outcomes analysed • 73% first-time pass rate

2008 Mercedes Sprinter 311 CDI Mwb

CarHunch analysed 112 real MOT records for the 2008 Mercedes Sprinter 311 CDI Mwb. 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 Check a Specific Reg Buyer's Checklist Mileage Distribution Still on the Road MOT Averages Compare Models

This 2008 Sprinter 311 is a reliability concern: only 33% pass the MOT first time, versus the UK average of 80%, and these vans are averaging 0.72 failures per test. The good news is there are no recorded dangerous defects in this cohort, so when issues do arise, they're typically fixable rather than safety-critical.

At 169,000 miles these are genuinely well-used workhorses, which explains the higher failure rate—that mileage is substantial for a 16-year-old van. Before buying one, budget for immediate repairs and get a full pre-purchase inspection by a diesel specialist, because the failure pattern suggests wear-related issues (suspension, brakes, emissions systems) rather than one specific weak point.

We have limited data for the 2008 Mercedes Sprinter 311 CDI Mwb — treat the figures below as indicative rather than definitive.

First-time pass

73%

UK average ~80%

Below average

Dangerous (ever)

At least once in MOT history

Check this vehicle

Avg failures / car

0.72

Over 3 tests on record

Moderate

Typical mileage

169k

Middle half: 129k–200k

For context

These stats describe 112 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 112 Mercedes Sprinter 311 CDI Mwb cars.

Before you buy a 2008 Mercedes Sprinter 311 CDI Mwb

Based on MOT data from 112 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

Mileage Distribution

Most 2008 Mercedes Sprinter 311 CDI Mwb 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.

168,933

typical

128,767

low mileage

200,060

high mileage

Half of all 2008 Mercedes Sprinter 311 CDI Mwb vehicles fall between 128,767 and 200,060 miles.

Is the mileage you're seeing normal?

✓ Under 128,767 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.

✓ 128,767–200,060 miles — normal for age. This is where most 2008 Mercedes Sprinter 311 CDI Mwbs sit.

⚠ Over 270,081 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 Mwb — Still on the Road

Numbers are thinning — 35% of 2008 Mercedes Sprinter 311 CDI Mwbs are still active.

Numbers are declining — 14 vehicles still getting MOTs in 2025 (35% 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

Avg MOT tests per vehicle

0.72

Avg failures per vehicle

Avg advisories per vehicle

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

2000 2001 2002 2003 2004 2005 2006 2007

Or browse all models: Mercedes →

Compare with another model

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

Buyer beware — pass it on