2013 Mercedes-Benz Viano: common problems and MOT failures

What goes wrong more than usual on a 2013 Mercedes-Benz Viano?

Parts flagged at MOT more often on the 2013 Mercedes-Benz Viano than on all cars registered in 2013.

• Side repeaters7.7× usual
  Mercedes-Benz Viano

  7.7% All 2013 cars

  1%

  Failed outright at MOT: 5.8%, against 0.6% of all 2013 cars. The rest were advisories or minor defects.

  Rough price £10–£80 our estimate

  At the viewing: Ask a friend to check every light, including brake lights and indicators, while you operate them.

• Individual direction indicators3.9× usual
  Mercedes-Benz Viano

  6.6% All 2013 cars

  1.7%

  Failed outright at MOT: 2.5%, against 0.6% of all 2013 cars. The rest were advisories or minor defects.

  Rough price £10–£80 our estimate

  At the viewing: Ask a friend to check every light while you work the switches: indicators, brake lights, fog lights and reversing lights.

• Exhaust system1.9× usual
  Mercedes-Benz Viano

  7.4% All 2013 cars

  4%

  Failed outright at MOT: 2.1%, against 1.2% of all 2013 cars. The rest were advisories or minor defects.

  Rough price £100–£500 (pipe or section) ClickMechanic

  At the viewing: Listen for blowing or rattling from underneath at idle, and look for black soot around joints.

• Anti-roll bar link bushes8× usual
  Mercedes-Benz Viano

  3.2% All 2013 cars

  0.4%

  Failed outright at MOT: 0.6%, against 0.1% of all 2013 cars. The rest were advisories or minor defects.

  Rough price £100–£280 (pair of drop links) Checkatrade

  At the viewing: Drive slowly over bumps and listen for a knock or rattle from the front. Worn anti-roll bar links are a cheap fix.

Common 2013 Mercedes-Benz Viano MOT failures and advisories

The share of 2013 Mercedes-Benz Viano MOT tests where testers flagged each area, as a fail or an advisory. Rough prices are typical independent-garage costs.

• Tyres
  28% of testsRough price £70–£150

  At the viewing: Check the tread on all four tyres, including the inside edges, and look for cracks or bulges.

• Brakes
  26% of testsRough price £150–£350

  At the viewing: Look for a lip on the disc edges and feel for judder or pulling when braking firmly from about 40mph.

• Lights and electrics
  25% of testsRough price £10–£80

  At the viewing: Ask a friend to check every light, including brake lights and indicators, while you operate them.

• Suspension
  23% of testsRough price £120–£400

  At the viewing: Listen for knocks over speed bumps, and look behind each front wheel for a snapped coil spring.

• Oil and fluid leaks
  9% of testsRough price £80–£600

  At the viewing: Look under the engine and on the ground where the car is usually parked for fresh oil or fluid.

• Exhaust and emissions
  8% of testsRough price £100–£1,200

  At the viewing: Look for black soot in the tailpipe, listen for blowing from the exhaust and check for engine or DPF warning lights.

Questions to ask the seller before buying a 2013 Mercedes-Benz Viano

Ask before you travel to see it. A seller who knows the car will have answers, and receipts.

1. Any recent work on the side repeaters? (Flagged at MOT 7.7× as often on the 2013 Mercedes-Benz Viano as on other cars the same age.)
2. Any recent work on the individual direction indicators? (Flagged at MOT 3.9× as often on the 2013 Mercedes-Benz Viano as on other cars the same age.)
3. Any recent work on the exhaust system? (Flagged at MOT 1.9× as often on the 2013 Mercedes-Benz Viano as on other cars the same age.)
4. Can I see the service history and receipts for any big jobs?