Used car guide

2005 Mercedes-Benz Viano: common problems and what to check

What gets flagged at MOT on 2005 Mercedes-Benz Vianos, from 347 tests in 2025, plus known faults and what to look at before you buy one.

Small sample: only 347 of these were MOT tested in 2025, so treat the percentages as rough. The known faults below don't depend on it.

347MOT tests in 2025
62%pass first time (all 2005 cars: 58%)
6,600typical miles a year
2.7×the usual rate for body structure rust or damage

What stands out

Parts flagged at MOT more often on 2005 Mercedes-Benz Vianos than on all cars registered in 2005.

  • Body structure rust or damage2.7× usual
    Mercedes-Benz Viano
    8.6% All 2005 cars
    3.2%

    Failed outright at MOT: 1.7%, against 0.9% of all 2005 cars. The rest were advisories or minor defects.

    Rough price £150–£1,000 our estimate

    At the viewing: Look underneath and along the sills for flaky rust or fresh underseal hiding it.

By area

The share of 2005 Mercedes-Benz Viano MOT tests where testers flagged each area, as a fail or an advisory. Rough prices are typical independent-garage costs.

  • Brakes
    46% of testsRough price £150–£350

    At the viewing: Look for a lip on the disc edges and feel for judder or pulling when braking firmly from about 40mph.

  • Suspension
    43% of testsRough price £120–£400

    At the viewing: Listen for knocks over speed bumps, and look behind each front wheel for a snapped coil spring.

  • Lights and electrics
    41% of testsRough price £10–£80

    At the viewing: Ask a friend to check every light, including brake lights and indicators, while you operate them.

  • Tyres
    29% of testsRough price £70–£150

    At the viewing: Check the tread on all four tyres, including the inside edges, and look for cracks or bulges.

  • Rust and bodywork
    17% of testsRough price £150–£1,000

    At the viewing: Check the sills, wheel arches and underneath for rust, and look along the panels for uneven gaps or paint.

  • Wipers, windscreen and mirrors
    12% of testsRough price £15–£250

    At the viewing: Check for chips in the driver's view, and test the wipers and washers.

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Other years

YearMOT testsMost flagged
2015129Tyres 28%
2014622Brakes 31%
2013627Brakes 27%
2012553Tyres 29%
2011454Brakes 33%
2010415Lights and electrics 36%
2009422Brakes 42%
2008453Lights and electrics 35%
2007412Brakes 39%
2006351Brakes 38%
2004244Lights and electrics 43%

Where this comes from: the DVSA's anonymised results for every MOT test in Great Britain in 2025, counting tests of 2005 Mercedes-Benz Vianos registered in 2005. "Flagged" includes advisories, so it isn't the same as a fail rate. How we score