Mercedes Benz VITO 111CDI LWB Extra Long Review

Overall Rating

When it works its good to drive

Mechanical & Paintwork issues

I have had my Mercedes-Benz VITO 111CDI LWB Extra Long van for just over a year & done 20,000 miles. In this time the following has happened to it/been replaced on it:

It is on it's third set of front tyres due to excessive tire wear on the outside edge. Each set lasts about 9000 miles then its illegal.

The van has been re-tracked on three occasions, the first time took 4 1/2 hours & then had to be returned for stearing wheel re-alignment.

It is on its third set of wheel trims due to them flying off randomly.

It is on its second ashtray, the first one pulled out of the dashboard complete with all the wireing.

It is on its second glovebox lid.

The rubber fitted floor carpet has split.

The door hinges and mountings have gone rusty twice. There is also rust coming through the paintwork on the rear doors.

The side loading door was so far out of alignment that when you closed it it hit the drivers door. This has been recitified by the dealer three times, paintwork re-done twice. It still is not sealing. The same side door also stuck & could not be opened.

There was no wheel nut removal tool in the tool kit (found this out when I got a puncture, waited three hour for Merc Recovery).

The Drivers side front strutt was replaced last week as it had failed and was very noisy. At the same time I told the Dealer there was a knocking coming from thr drivers side suspension, it could also be felt through the steering. This was not found my the dealer.

It has just had two gears & synchro replaced.

I have spent the last week being 'niggled' by the knocking that the Dealer COULD NOT find, so this saturday morning I got an MOT specialist to have a look. Within 30 seconds he found the very badly worn track rod end (drivers side) that was causing the knocking. I was told that it was an MOT failure (remember it is ONE YEAR OLD), very dangerous & should not be driven at all as the wheel could come off & cause an accident!

Mercedes Benz Dealer was not interested (they had adjusted the tracking only a few days before & had been told it knocked).

The Main Dealer knows very little about the vehicle, they are not interested & treat me like a fool.

Legal action is being commenced.

Members' Comments onJon Starkey's Review

• F rankie on 26th May 2005

  I used to own a vito 110, had an awful knocking on the front end, put it on full lock it felt like youv'e run over something. Got myself a transporter T30 174 awesome bit of kit. recommended.

• Peter Bailey on 28th Oct 2005

  I have to say that I am very surprised to hear that you have had so much trouble with your Vito 111 LWB and that your Dealer seems to know so little and doesn't want to help. Maybe you should come down to sunny Suffolk and purchase your next one as I have had no problems since Purchasing my New Vito late last year. I would definitely recommend the Vito and will buy another once my finance agreement ends. I have to say that my local Dealer was nothing but helpful throughout my purchase and when I have returned for servicing I have been given a first class experience!

• Taylor Made on 30th Nov 2005

  Yep, got the same tyre wear problem as you at 9000 miles & 13 months old. The local tyre centre said it was not the tracking at fault and to contact the dealer. Dealer said it would cost me about £230 to diagnose the problem and the cost of rectifying the fault would also fall to me. NOT IMPRESED. Considering my next move.

• F rankie on 2nd Dec 2005

  Yes I had the track rod end bush changed, and like your Vito it was shot basically. It was OK for 6 weeks then the infernal knocking returned.

• Jeremy James on 13th Jan 2006

  I have had similar problems to those described, the poor after sales service upsets me the most. Things were much better when Mercedes car dealers looked after light commercials but MBUK know best!
  The tyre wear problem is caused by the tyres folding under when turning on a full lock. You can almost feel the rubber rolling off, which is due to poor steering geometry by design. I have improved mine by fitting springs from the people carrier which has lowered the suspension and increased the camber. Overall, good looking van but very disappointing to own.

• XX06 on 30th Apr 2006

  Sorry to hear your problems...I've got the same, Had it for 18 months now, same probklems all the time, rust is also now appearing on hidden bodywork such as welding joints, etc. Thinking of my next move now...

• john002 on 6th Mar 2007

  Thanks for the reviews and comments guys, I was dead set on a SWB 111 but not so sure know. Will have to think a bit longer.

• jeff 247 on 8th Mar 2009

  Hi my name is Jeff and I have a vito sport 7 months old 8,000 miles and just put 2 new tyres on the front same probs as you also knocking the front main dealer doesn,t want to know this van cost £21000,00 plus VAT