Mercedes-Benz Vito review (1996-2003)
PROS
- Stylish and beautifully built
CONS
- A bit pricey
Summary
The Mercedes-Benz Vito has been one of the smartest cookies in the panel van box since day one. Even this first-gen model was a dazzling looker and with its three-pointed star on the bonnet.
Mercedes-Benz has always been at the cutting edge of technology and innovation and the Vito was always ahead of the game on both fronts, offering items such as ABS brakes and traction control systems as standard on later models.
It has never been the cheapest van to buy or run but then again quality always has to be paid for.
Still, the Vito didn’t get a set of common rail diesel engines until 1999, despite the fact that they were offered as standard in its bigger brother the Sprinter from launch in 1995. Pre-1999 Vito models with old-fashioned engines were relatively sluggish and rattly.
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Mercedes-Benz levels of quality extend past build and into road manners, thus the Vito offers crisp handling and a pleasing ride.
Post-1999 diesel engines on offer were all 2.1-litre turbo motors pumping out a choice of 82hp with 200Nm of torque, 102hp with 250Nm, and 122hp with 300Nm.
There was also a 2.0-litre petrol engine with 129hp, and some of these have inevitably been converted to run on LPG. Do get a safety inspection if considering one of these.
Later models also featured an uprated gearbox and clutch for greater durability.
As with most German vehicles, the seats in the Vito are slab hard, but turn out on long journeys to be surprisingly supportive - hopefully this firmness will also have allowed them to stand the test of time.
All the knobs and switches are quality items, although in this model, standard CD players had not yet been introduced, so drivers will have to make do with a radio/cassette player unless an aftermarket or optional system has been fitted.
The arrival of common rail diesel engines made the Vito a more economical van to drive, while service intervals were extended to 14,000 miles.
On the downside, Mercedes-Benz parts tend to be expensive and dealers charge a hefty hourly rate.
Vitos are not cheap, but then buyers had a right to expect better levels of reliability when new, so the extra money may have been worth laying out.
However, when Vitos do go wrong they aren’t cheap to fix, so try and find used examples with as much evidence of service history as possible.
This model of Vito also suffered heavily with rust issues - so check MoT history carefully while also looking for obvious signs of repair.
Models built after 1999 had both ABS brakes and traction control as standard, putting them head and shoulders above others in the sector at the time.
However, on the downside, a driver’s airbag remained on the options list, along with central locking - although an immobiliser was standard.
