Used car guide

2010 Mercedes-Benz Viano: common problems and what to check

What gets flagged at MOT on 2010 Mercedes-Benz Vianos, from 415 tests in 2025, plus known faults and what to look at before you buy one.

Small sample: only 415 of these were MOT tested in 2025, so treat the percentages as rough. The known faults below don't depend on it.

415MOT tests in 2025
64%pass first time (all 2010 cars: 59%)
10,000typical miles a year
2.2×the usual rate for rigid brake pipes

What stands out

Parts flagged at MOT more often on 2010 Mercedes-Benz Vianos than on all cars registered in 2010.

  • Rigid brake pipes2.2× usual
    Mercedes-Benz Viano
    15.2% All 2010 cars
    6.8%

    Failed outright at MOT: 2.7%, against 1.1% of all 2010 cars. The rest were advisories or minor defects.

    Rough price £100–£400 our estimate

    At the viewing: Ask to see underneath, or check the MOT advisories: corroded brake or fuel pipes get worse every year and fail the MOT when they do.

  • Side repeaters5.5× usual
    Mercedes-Benz Viano
    7.7% All 2010 cars
    1.4%

    Failed outright at MOT: 5.1%, against 0.9% of all 2010 cars. The rest were advisories or minor defects.

    Rough price £10–£80 our estimate

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

  • Individual direction indicators2.6× usual
    Mercedes-Benz Viano
    8.7% All 2010 cars
    3.3%

    Failed outright at MOT: 3.4%, against 1.3% of all 2010 cars. The rest were advisories or minor defects.

    Rough price £10–£80 our estimate

    At the viewing: Ask a friend to check every light while you work the switches: indicators, brake lights, fog lights and reversing lights.

  • Steering rack inner joints2.9× usual
    Mercedes-Benz Viano
    7.7% All 2010 cars
    2.7%

    Failed outright at MOT: 0%, against 0% of all 2010 cars. The rest were advisories or minor defects.

    Rough price £100–£450 our estimate

    At the viewing: On a straight road the steering wheel should sit straight. Listen for knocks when turning, and check the steering feels even.

By area

The share of 2010 Mercedes-Benz Viano MOT tests where testers flagged each area, as a fail or an advisory. Rough prices are typical independent-garage costs.

  • Lights and electrics
    36% of testsRough price £10–£80

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

  • Brakes
    36% 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.

  • Tyres
    31% 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.

  • Suspension
    29% 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.

  • Oil and fluid leaks
    13% of testsRough price £80–£600

    At the viewing: Look under the engine and on the ground where the car is usually parked for fresh oil or fluid.

  • Steering
    11% of testsRough price £100–£450

    At the viewing: On a straight road the steering wheel should sit straight. Feel for play or knocking when turning.

Looking at a Mercedes-Benz Viano?

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Other years

YearMOT testsMost flagged
2015129Tyres 28%
2014622Brakes 31%
2013627Brakes 27%
2012553Tyres 29%
2011454Brakes 33%
2009422Brakes 42%
2008453Lights and electrics 35%
2007412Brakes 39%
2006351Brakes 38%
2005347Brakes 46%
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 2010 Mercedes-Benz Vianos registered in 2010. "Flagged" includes advisories, so it isn't the same as a fail rate. How we score