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A popular and robust van for sale, the Mercedes-Benz Vito provides car-like driving dynamics, decent running costs and a capacious load space.
The Mercedes-Benz Vito is a medium panel van that offers competitive running costs, space and excellent comfort, with the added attraction of the three-pointed star on its nose. The only downside is the foot-operated parking brake that is awkward to use and often releases with a loud thud.
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Offered in three body lengths and two roof heights with a variety of seating options from simple panel van through crew cab (Dualiner) to a full minibus (Traveliner), or, indeed, a fully licenced taxi. The Taxi version underlines the Vito’s manoeuvrability, the tight turning circle a result of it being rear-wheel drive where most rivals are front-driven. Despite the rear-wheel drive, Mercedes-Benz has managed to keep the load floor low, for good access.
Being a Mercedes-Benz, safety is a priority, with all coming with ABS and adaptive electronic stability control, which takes into account the Vito’s load, as standard.
The Compact and Long Vitos ride on the standard wheelbase of 3200mm, with the Extra Long stretched to 3430mm, the overall lengths being either 4760mm or 5238mm. The high roof model was only offered with that longer wheelbase, it increasing the roof height from 1900mm to 2328mm.
Even the smallest will accommodate Euro pallets, with 1277mm between the wheelarches, the load area accessed by dual sliding doors and a choice of rear doors - either a top-hinged tailgate on standard wheelbase low-roof models, or barn-style rear doors on all other versions. Overall there’s a potential load space of between 0.4–6.5 cubic metres and a payload ranging from 800-1145kg, depending on specification and seating layout.
From 2010, Mercedes-Benz comprehensively facelifted the Vito to improve refinement, The interior was revised and kit increased, while the drivetrain gaining economy enhancing tech to reduced consumption by as much as 15 per cent. With these changes Mercedes-Benz also revised the look with re-profiled headlights and bumpers. The suspension was also overhauled, with more comfort-orientated suspension for passenger-carrying Vito options.
Power from 2003 was from Mercedes-Benz’s proven 2.1-litre turbodiesel, with a range of outputs, with either a standard manual or optional automatic transmission. If you want greater performance than the 2.1-litre (2148cc) four-cylinder turbodiesel could muster, Mercedes-Benz did offer the Vito a pair of V6 options, a rare petrol or a turbodiesel unit.
The most popular was the 2.1-litre four-cylinder turbodiesel it being offered in various states of tune. At the bottom of the range was an 88PS version badged 109 CDI, it being updated in 2007 with a boost of power to 95PS. Above the 109 CDI was the 111 CDI it initially offered with 109PS, that improving to 116PS. The top of the line four-cylinder offering was the 115 CDI, it having 150PS.
Latterly the line-up would be revised, with Euro5 compliant engine arriving in 2010, along with other changes. The range was now badged 110 CDI, 113 CDI, 116 CDI for the four-cylinder engines, with 95, 136 and 163PS respectively. As well as an improvement in output the engines gained economy, with lower fuel consumption and improved emissions, via engine changes and a greater spread of ratios in the standard six-speed manual transmission - a five-speed auto offered optionally with the 113 and 116 CDI models. Refinement was better, too, thanks to the addition of a vibration-reducing balancer shaft to the engine.
Topping the range is the 122 CDI V6 turbodiesel, which has 224PS and 400Nm of torque, it, like all the revised Vitos was available with BlueEfficiency technology, which added engine start/stop and a range of consumption improving tech like low-rolling resistance tyres, more efficient power steering and fuel pumps as well as a gearshift indicator light for manual versions.
With the oldest being over fifteen years old now there’s a lot of choice out there, at every possible price point. Around £1000 will buy you a scruffy runner or one needing mechanical work.
A better starting point is about double that, with £2000 getting you into higher mileage or older Vitos or part-exchange examples that dealers don’t want on their forecourts. Don’t rule these survivors out, as they might well have big mileages or be older, but they could provide a inexpensive workhorse for a good few years yet.
From £4000 mileages are creeping closer to the 150,000 mark rather than the 200,000+ of those a thousand pounds or so less. In the £5000-£7000 bracket you can expect newer example, with mileages still predominantly above 100,000 miles, but that’s nothing to be frightened of, the Vito covering mileages well. Demand full service history at from this price point, and with so many available you can afford to be selective. Newer models in this price point also bring some desirable kit like Bluetooth connectivity and cruise control.
As with any van produced for so long, service interval recommendations changed throughout the production cycle. All engines have chain-driven cams, and from 2010 the servicing requirement was highlighted by the Assyst service computer, it flexible depending on the driving situation the Vito is used for.
Prior to that the recommended service intervals was 18,000 miles, the Vito coming with a three-year unlimited mileage warranty from 2010 onwards. For ultimate peace of mind, the oil and filter should be changed every 12,000 miles or 12 months.
Running costs should be reasonable, with a major service costing around £180, a full service around £155, and an interim service £130. A diagnostic inspection will cost about £60, showing any error codes and potential problems. A replacement clutch fitted will cost about £450, front brake pads around £100, rears £100 also. Add a set of discs on each axle and you’ll roughly double the cost of the brake service.
A new alternator will cost around £360 fitted, and a new battery about £100 fitted. Expect to pay around £250 for front shocks absorber replacement, with the rears costing similar. As they get older it’s worthwhile undertaking as much preventative maintenance as possible, with an annual service inspection at roughly 12,000 miles advisable.
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