2003 Mercedes-Benz Vito 111 CDI 2.5L turbo diesel

Summary:

Great looks but very poor quality

Faults:

Premature wear on front tyre edges.

Rust developing on all panels at bottoms & sides.

Plastic front valance fixings broken.

Rear wheel ABS/ESP sensor shorted out within 3 months.

Side doors & tailgate do not shut properly (from new) & alignment of both is poor.

Vehicle dashboard digital display is so faint that it cannot be read in daylight, & is only clearly visible at dusk or nighttime.

There is no temperature gauge for the engine.

Passenger window opens half way at random & can only be closed by fully opening & closing making sure to keep positive upward pressure on the window switch until fully closed!

Turbo charger pipe became disconnected within two months - eventually discovered it had never been connected when built, large jubilee clip was fully open & hanging on the rubber pipe. Pressure in the pipe had blown it off the turbo...

Knocking from steering, sounds like the rigging on a man of war when turning the van at low speeds...

General Comments:

The vehicle looks great & drives comfortably but it is no power house.

Despite the early promise of quality from a brand like Mercedes it has become clear that this van is not top quality, they have clearly cut quality to obtain profit.

MB & their dealers know about the inherent problems with this model & its various reincarnations, but choose to deny them as if yours was the first problem they've encountered.

Would you buy another car from this manufacturer? No

Review Date: 9th June, 2008

3rd Jan 2009, 05:45

I have owned over a period of time many Mercedes cars and vans, from a 190e to a CLK 320 AMG.

Mercedes has lost its name of quality and stands well below other names like Ford, VW and Citroen. Its name can never be revived. I will never buy another Mercedes.

27th Oct 2015, 21:44

I would never ever buy another Vito. Nothing but trouble and rust. Stay away.

2003 Mercedes-Benz Vito 108 CDI 2.2 turbo diesel

Summary:

Can of the year

Faults:

From day one the electric windows have a mind of their own, and you may have to close them several times on one journey.

The rear courtesy light falls out of the fixing, and is impossible to refit. We have brought a new unit from the dealer, but it still happens, and it's often found hanging from the wire. This is after being fitted by the main dealer.

At 30000 miles we found that when braking on a corner, the van would jump and lunge, and the traction light flash on the dash. When investigated by the dealer, they found rear wishbone had come loose, and would require a full four wheel alignment, which they did not offer. Upon completing this work, we tested the van and the same fault was present. Again back to the dealer for yet more investigation; this time we were told that the rear suspension had to be replaced. This has fixed the fault.

We are now on our fourth set of front tyres and associated full wheel alignment. This I believe is quite a common practice.

The fault this month is the gear box now jumps out of first gear, and the advice from the main dealer is we need to replace the unit. However the van is two months out of warranty, and after a fruitless and pointless conversation with Merc CUSTOMER RELATIONS, they are not prepared to assist with any of the costs.

General Comments:

This vehicle should be used for flower or pizza delivery, or to take the dogs out, and no way be used by any one who wishes to use it every day and expect many miles between services. The down time we have lost would have paid the extra cost toward a Volkswagen Transporter.

Would you buy another car from this manufacturer? No

Review Date: 29th November, 2007

15th Mar 2009, 08:07

My advice, keep clear of all Mercedes. I bought a Vito CDI 108 new, and for all the right reasons, running cost, reliability and resale. I received none of the above and worse, and have been let down by the Mercedes dealerships and Daimler Chrysler. Never, never again Mercedes.

Ordered with a few options, 1 piece of glass ordered as genuine on delivery was fitted with non genuine. Mercedes did not want to know.

Heavy on steering, brakes and front tires.

Then it hit 40,000Km, injector trouble - repaired under warranty. Then another injector failure - replaced under warranty and then another one. 3 different injectors replaced under warranty.

Doors had come loose, fixed myself by re-tapping the threads all the way allowing bolts to be fully tightened.

Blown globes, so a great idea, to replace then with LED units. Not a good idea, when pressing the brakes, brake lights activate causing some feedback and engine dies. Back to normal globes.

All the time the only dealer has serviced it.

Glow plugs failed under warranty, faulty relay? Replaced now OK.

While in getting a service, 3 seats were torn and a mag wheel went missing after the dealer had fitted the spare steel wheel without authority. Mercedes told me, after I picked up the car and discovered the problem that they were not responsible for the vehicle, while it was in their care. I had to contract a solicitor to get a replacement/repair of parts.

The foam pad under the floor mat in the front disintegrated in the heat. Mercedes finally replaced this under warranty. Big argument to force them to accept this claim (as polystyrene does not break down with heat - just ask them).

Returning it again as I found cables, including a 4 gauge wire to my amp, squashed under a bolt to the seat-box. Again back to Mercedes, I watched as I assume the apprentice worked on it. Easy fix, just reef the cables out (no tools required). Absolutely sick of it.

Finally it's out of warranty, injector failure. Mercedes tell me the whole set need replacing. Bugger this, had it towed home and ordered some second hand units from Germany. In replacing, the injectors were corroded in, a 6mm bolt broken and 1 retaining bolt to an injector was broken, only holding by 1.5 turns. Made a mandrill, drilled it and tried to easy-out the bolt. Would not move, drilled it larger and water. Finally got it out, to find corrosion all over the broken bolt. So re-tapped it to 10mm and made & fitted a stainless (threaded) sleeve. all together again, won't start. Had the injectors cleaned, but they could not pressure test (not rebuildable anyway, as they cannot be dismantled). Pulled them apart myself, cleaned and reassembled. The car starts. But over time won't start, will start on airo-start though.

Now I've found air bleeding into the fuel lines when stationary, but no fuel leaks. Tried to trade it, guess what. The offer was lesser than the residual of the loan. I should have bought a donkey.

13th Feb 2010, 09:29

I have problem with my 108 CDI Vito being unable to pick speed up, and it won't go over 70 mph. Any suggestions please, as you have had your share of the problems with your Vito. Thanks.