1998 Mercedes-Benz Vito 113 2.0 petrol from UK and Ireland
Summary:
A good engine with lots of go
Faults:
Power steering seized at 14,000 miles.
Steering column switch unit failed 3 times resulting in losing indicators / headlights and windscreen wipers. On my 4th unit.
All 3 failing within 23,339 miles.
The alternator leads came loose at 1000 miles.
General Comments:
Faults nearly caused an accident on two occasions (losing headlights in bad weather conditions and wipers in the rain).
When the power steering failed it locked almost solid and when I contacted my local dealer (1.5 miles away) they told me to arrange my own way of getting the van to them.
Dealer put the blame on me for the failures and showed no interest towards my problems, and would not let me have the use of a courtesy vehicle thus causing myself to lose a days earnings. On one occasion it resulted in me having to hire another van. They did however ring their technical people to query the switch problem and were told that 1200 of the same spare parts had been issued.
I had to threaten legal action and arrange for a vehicle inspector to view the faults before they would pay for repairs. They never let him view the faults.
On the plus side the van still looks and performs better than its rivals.
My work friend with his Ford Transit much admires my van, but I have not told them of my problems as it's a Mercedes and that would be embarrassing.
Would you buy another car from this manufacturer? Don't Know
Review Date: 11th August, 2001
19th Dec 2003, 07:16
I have had a number of issues with my R Reg Vito 113, Despite only having done 30'000 miles since new both CV boots have failed and I have had to replace one drive-shaft as the boot failure allowed the ingress of damaging contaminants. (the noise was the most awful grinding noise when pulling away in first with any degree of steering).
I had this serviced outside the Mercedes dealer network using genuine parts as the time on this job makes the labour charge extortionate if carried out by MB-UK.
Passenger electric windows has also failed and this will cost £130 for the replacement motor.
113 gives disapointing performance thanks to the ratio's of the gearbox 1st gear is all, but useless (too short) I assume that it uses the same box as the diesel.
On the positive side a side swiped replacement mirror assembly was only £35 complete despite the fact that it incorporates the heated mirror, electric motors for adjustment and a complete new exterior housing. Replacement rear lamp cluster also only £30 and included a full set of bulbs!
TJ.