Used buying guide · Mid-size van · campervan conversions including the Marco Polo
The Vito drives more like a car than most vans and is popular for premium campervan conversions, including Mercedes’ own Marco Polo. Earlier vans have a reputation for rust that you need to take seriously.
This guide covers the Mercedes Vito problems buyers most often run into on used vans and campervans, what each one looks like on a viewing and what to ask the seller. Not every van will have them. But knowing where to look stops you paying for someone else’s repair bill.
Engines you’ll find: 2.2 CDI and 3.0 V6 CDI (2003-2014), 1.6 and 2.1 diesel (2014 on)
The most common problems on a used Mercedes Vito
1. Rust on 2003-2014 vans
The W639 Vito rusts around the wheel arches, door bottoms, the tailgate and the windscreen surround. Bubbling paint usually means the metal underneath is worse than it looks.
2. Injector seals leaking
Leaking injector seals on the 2.2 CDI let combustion gases escape and leave a black, tar-like deposit around the injectors. Listen for a chuffing sound at idle and look at the top of the engine.
3. EGR, swirl flaps and DPF
Short-journey vans suffer from clogged EGR valves, sticking swirl flaps and blocked DPFs. Warning lights and limp mode are the clues, so ask what work has been done.
4. Automatic gearbox faults
Automatic Vitos can suffer electronic gearbox faults that cause harsh or delayed changes. Make sure every gear engages smoothly from cold and when hot.
5. AdBlue and NOx sensor faults on Euro 6 vans
Later Euro 6 vans use AdBlue, and failing NOx sensors or AdBlue heaters can trigger warnings and limp mode. Check the dash and ask for any fault code history.
Our tip: Get underneath a Vito before you get excited about the interior. Rust repairs on the body cost far more than a tired cupboard.
These are problems commonly reported by owners, garages and the motoring press. They are not a diagnosis of any particular van. A van with a full service history and the right repairs already done can be a very good buy.
Checking the conversion as well as the van
On a campervan or motorhome, the living area can cost as much to put right as the engine. Whichever base vehicle you choose, check these before you buy:
- Damp readings around windows, rooflights, lockers and the floor. Damp is the most expensive hidden problem in a camper.
- Gas appliances light and work, and the regulator hose is in date.
- Leisure battery, 12V system and mains hook-up all work and look professionally installed.
- Water pump, taps and tanks do not leak.
- Any added seats have proper fixings and belts, and the V5C body type matches the conversion for insurance.
- A pop-top or high-top roof does not leak, and the mechanism works.
Before you pay for a used Mercedes Vito
- Check the history. Run the free MOT history check online and look for mileage gaps and repeat advisories. Pay for a full history check for finance, theft and write-off markers.
- Match the paperwork. The seller’s ID, the V5C and the VIN on the van should all match. Be wary of a seller who is selling for someone else.
- See it running from cold. Ask the seller not to start it before you arrive. Many faults show up in the first few minutes.
- Never send a deposit unseen. Pay only at handover, by bank transfer, once you have the keys and the V5C.
Can’t get there to see it? We’ll check it for you
SafeBuy views campervans and motorhomes for buyers across the UK. We check the seller and paperwork against the V5C, run a history and finance check, walk you round the Mercedes Vito on a live video call and send you a photo report. Add our Habitation Check and we take damp readings throughout and test the gas, electrics, battery and water.
Viewing & Verify
£149 + travel
Seller and document checks, history and finance check, live video walk-round and photo report.
Viewing + Habitation Check
£299 + travel
Everything above plus damp readings and checks of the gas, electrics, battery and water.
Drive It Home
By mileage
If you buy it, we drive it to your door. Fixed quote before you commit.
A viewing is not a full mechanical inspection. We report what we can see and measure on the day, so you can decide with the facts in front of you. See the areas we cover.
Other buying guides
Looking at more than one van? Read our guides to VW Transporter common problems and Ford Transit Custom common problems, or see every model we cover.
Questions about buying a Mercedes Vito
What are the most common problems with a used Mercedes Vito?
The problems reported most often are: Rust on 2003-2014 vans; Injector seals leaking; EGR, swirl flaps and DPF; Automatic gearbox faults; and AdBlue and NOx sensor faults on Euro 6 vans. Not every van will have them, so check the service history and see the van running from cold.
Is a Mercedes Vito a good base for a campervan?
It can be. Mercedes Vito vans are widely used for campervan conversions including the Marco Polo. The best buys have a full service history, a professionally fitted conversion and no damp in the living area.
Can SafeBuy check a Mercedes Vito before I buy it?
Yes. We view the van for you, check the seller and paperwork, walk you round it on a live video call and can test the living area with our Habitation Check. Prices start at £149 plus travel.
Ready to view one? We’ll check the Mercedes Vito for you
Send us the advert and we’ll reply within one working day with a fixed quote to view it for you.