Faults:

ECU unit failed after a year of ownership. This is basically the internal computer of this van. Got it replaced under warranty. Had van collected and returned from my place of work.

Loads of little niggly things breaking on it. The radio doesn't work till I hit a bump in the road, then it goes off when I hit another one, one of the side doors would not open for ages, back to the dealer again.

The ignition switch fell through its own assembly!! Put this back myself, ripped out the box beside the ignition to get in at it.

The switch on the light in the cab got pushed up into itself, easy fix, but shouldn't happen either.

The arm rest on the drivers sear broke clean off with a bit of pressure was leaning over it to get a lap top and down she went. OK, that's my fault

Today just got it back again from the dealers having left it up there a week ago, she wouldent start only after turning the engine over for an hour would she go. Got her jump started drove up to the dealer with it konking out at every opportunity, he had to get reconditioned injectors, replace the diesel filter etc, turned out the injectors had seized from water getting into the tank, a problem which seems wholesale with these skips on wheels. They took off the tank and repaired it. Got bill for 1200 euros.

No more of this.

General Comments:

Worst machine I have ever owned. Drives rotten, would far prefer to take out one of the 7.5 tonne trucks we use rather than drive this. No front end feel whatsover.

Not a nice driving experience. I'm amazed Merc put their badge on this crap. I might convert mine to an outside toilet as we are getting an extension done shortly.

Faults:

Battery intermittently draining due to some fan or pump in behind dash, or the back of the engine bay, which keeps coming on when it likes during the night.

Major rust for the age of the vehicle.

Wheel centre caps have come off whilst driving.

109 bhp engine feels quite flat on motorway unless you give it max revs in every gear (2500 - 3600rpm very flat).

Can't put racking along the left hand side of van due to the spare wheel mounted there?

Some interior plastics insecure.

Rear and side door stops/hinges/runners poor.

Electric windows sometimes need a double click to get into operation (the door thinks it is a mouse LOL).

Loud clunking noises appearing from front end when the steering bottoms out on full lock.

Notchy 1st gear.

General Comments:

It's at the mileage where some TLC is required, and I've probably been spoiled with previous newer and more robust vans from my previous company.

All the dookits and the paperwork holder are well thought out.

Nice tight turning circle.

Faults:

Every panel with the exception of the plastic wings has shown rust. Merecedes dealership agreed to make good and the vehicle was booked in for a two week job.

Upon further investigation, the body shop found that the tail gate and the supporting panels had extensive rust inside the panels and recommended replacing them. 'Oh no' said Mercedes at Milton Keynes head office, 'clean them up and respray them'. After some haggling with my local dealer, it was agreed to replace them. I believe the suggested course of action is refered to as 'dabbing and scabbing' - the scab being the surface rust. The van has now been with the Mercedes dealers preferred body shop for 7 weeks come Tuesday and still the body shop cannot give me a collection date. In the words of Diana Ross 'I'm still waiting'.

Dealers attitude is terrible, not chasing body shop, not returning phone calls, coming up with dodgy excuses and worst of all - Passing the buck to everyone else 'it's not my fault, like you I'm stuck in the middle'. Yeah right!!!

General Comments:

My point is very simple - buy Ford, buy Renault, buy VW, buy Vauxhall, but if you value your money. Well you work it out?