At a Glance
The Mercedes-benz Vito W638 has 9 identified problems that occur more often than the UK average, with Driveshaft fault being the most reported. Brakes is the most common MOT failure category. The most serious issue flagged is Vehicle structure corrosion, rated as dangerous. Based on 254K MOT tests from DVSA data.
Problems are patterns in the DVSA data that occur significantly more often on this model than the UK average — confirmed at 99% statistical confidence. Read how we calculate MOT pass rates and problems →
Below: the full MOT-data picture for the Mercedes-benz Vito W638 — MOT pass rate vs the UK average, common problems vs UK fleet patterns, the most likely MOT failures by frequency, fault occurrence by mileage band, and pass/fail trends. All numbers drawn from DVSA records.
Mercedes-benz Vito W638 MOT Pass Rate
Across 254K MOT tests from DVSA data, the Mercedes-benz Vito W638 (1996–2003) has a fail rate of 53.3%.
All-time UK average fail rate: 34.9%
Common Mercedes-benz Vito W638 Problems
Owner-submitted reports plus patterns we've identified across 559 million UK MOT tests. Each MOT-derived item below — whether tagged as a Problem, Wear & Tear or Consumable — shows up noticeably more often on this generation than across the UK fleet, which is why it's here. Owner reports are pinned to the top by default; use the sort and filter pills below to view a specific tier or change the order.
Driveshaft fault
30,113
occurrences
Headlamp defect (no aim check)
8,188
occurrences
Mirror damaged or missing
7,497
occurrences
Subframe mounting corroded
5,699
occurrences
Vehicle structure corrosion
2,021
occurrences
Tell Us About Your Problem
Help other Mercedes-benz Vito W638 owners — report a problem and we'll add it to the database
Tell Us About Your Problem
Help other Mercedes-benz Vito W638 owners — report a problem and we'll add it to the database
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Problems by mileage
Common problems, MOT failures and advisories on the Mercedes-benz Vito W638, grouped by the mileage they typically appear at.
577 distinct problems · 997,149 total occurrences in current filter
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Advisory items are MOT tester observations. Frequency can be influenced by driving style and usage patterns.
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Other Mercedes-benz Vito Generations
Frequently Asked Questions
What are the most common Mercedes-benz Vito W638 problems?
Based on DVSA MOT data for the Mercedes-benz Vito W638 (1996–2003), we have identified 9 common problems. The most frequently reported is "Driveshaft fault". Brakes is the most common MOT failure category.
How reliable is the Mercedes-benz Vito W638?
This generation has 254K MOT tests on record with a 53.3% fail rate. A fault is flagged as a "Common Problem" only when it occurs significantly more often on this model than the UK average, confirmed at 99% statistical confidence.
What commonly fails the MOT on a Mercedes-benz Vito W638?
There are 201 distinct MOT failure types recorded for the W638 (1996–2003), grouped by the mileage these failures typically occur. See the Common MOT Failures section on this page.
Can I report a problem with my Mercedes-benz Vito W638?
Yes — use the "Tell Us About Your Problem" form on this page. Your report helps other Mercedes-benz Vito owners spot problems early. All submissions are reviewed before being added to the public database.
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