CarCostCheck

MERCEDES SPRINTER (2016)

Running costs, reliability data, and common problems from 2,447 real MOT tests.

Annual Cost

£2,045

£170/month

MOT Pass Rate

83%

Good

Road Tax

£395

Based on CC/year

Insurance

Grp 30-42

2987cc Diesel

Solid Option

83% pass rate, £2045/year to run. Close to the national average.

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Diesel2987cc10 years old2,447 tests120k miles avg

Annual Running Costs

Fuel (Diesel, 2987cc)

~40 mpg

£1,245
Road Tax

Based on 2987cc

£395
MOT Test
£55
Predicted Repairs
£350
Total per year£2,045
Per month£170/mo
Per week£39/wk

Based on 7,400 miles/year (UK average), current fuel prices, and repair likelihood from MOT data. Insurance not included.

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Reliability Verdict

83% MOT pass rate(Good)
0%National avg: 82%100%

Good reliability. Occasional issues but generally solid. That's close to the national average of 82%. It falls below the MERCEDES brand average of 87%.

At 10 years old, 83% of MERCEDES SPRINTERs from 2016 passed their MOT first time in 2026. That's based on 2,447 tests across the UK. The average mileage at this age is 120,235 miles.

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How Does It Compare?

Rank among 2016 cars443th of 586(top 76%)
Rank among MERCEDES models967th of 1,408(top 69%)
vs national average+1%(82% avg)
vs 2016 cars average-2%(85% avg)
vs MERCEDES average-4%(87% avg)

Mileage Analysis

120,235

Average miles

vs

74,000

Expected for age

The average 2016 MERCEDES SPRINTER has 120,235 miles on the clock, which is well above the expected 74,000 miles for a 10-year-old car. Check service history carefully, as high-mileage cars need consistent maintenance to stay reliable.

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Best Year to Buy?

The most reliable year is the 2022 model with a 92% MOT pass rate, while the 1996 model has the lowest at 68%. The 2016 sits between the two at 83%.

MERCEDES SPRINTER by Year

YearPass RateTestsAvg Mileage
202292%15664,875 mi
202185%75750,032 mi
202089%1,70160,989 mi
201988%2,19590,467 mi
201887%2,21598,916 mi
201788%2,626108,282 mi
201683%2,447120,235 mi
201583%3,151137,553 mi
201480%3,008140,703 mi
201379%2,484146,792 mi
201275%2,351138,262 mi
201179%2,140150,457 mi
201078%2,065144,887 mi
200979%1,741143,543 mi
200877%2,264141,659 mi
200776%2,122148,349 mi
200674%1,788142,955 mi
200573%1,716132,628 mi
200474%1,821132,046 mi
200375%1,675143,352 mi
200273%1,618137,516 mi
200175%1,138146,632 mi
200073%702143,745 mi
199972%606149,141 mi
199872%749147,305 mi
199774%466142,617 mi
199668%200148,195 mi

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About the 2016 MERCEDES SPRINTER

The 2016 MERCEDES SPRINTER is a large car with a 2987cc diesel engine. 2,447 of these vehicles were MOT tested in 2026, making it a reasonably common sight on UK roads. It sits in the bottom 76% of 2016 cars for MOT pass rates.

With an average of 120,235 miles at 10 years old, MERCEDES SPRINTER owners cover more miles than the average driver. High-mileage examples should be checked carefully for wear on suspension, brakes, and drivetrain components.

2016 MERCEDES SPRINTER Fuel Costs

The 2987cc diesel engine is on the larger side, so fuel won't be this car's strong point. Expect around 40 mpg in mixed driving, which works out to roughly £1,245 per year at current diesel prices of 148p per litre (based on 7,400 miles per year). Diesel cars of this age should have their DPF (diesel particulate filter) checked, as replacements can be costly.

What does it cost to own a 2016 MERCEDES SPRINTER?

Total estimated annual running cost is £2,045 170/month), broken down as £1245 fuel, £395 road tax, £55 MOT, and £350 predicted repairs. Repair costs are moderate, reflecting the 83% pass rate. Keeping on top of servicing will help avoid surprises.

MERCEDES SPRINTER Reliability Trend

Newer MERCEDES SPRINTERs show better MOT pass rates than older ones, with an average improvement of 10 percentage points.

Buying a Used 2016 MERCEDES SPRINTER

At 10 years old, the MERCEDES SPRINTER is firmly in budget territory. Purchase prices are low, but check for rust, worn suspension bushes, and electrical gremlins. A full service history is especially valuable at this age. If you're flexible on year, the 2022 model has the highest pass rate at 92%.

Common Issues to Watch For

Based on the 2016 MERCEDES SPRINTER's fuel type, age, and engine size, these are the most likely problem areas to check.

DPF (Diesel Particulate Filter)

Watch out

Short journeys clog the DPF. Replacement costs £1,000-£2,500. Check the DPF warning light and ask about driving patterns.

Turbo Wear

Watch out

Diesel turbos work harder and wear faster. Listen for whining noises and check for oil leaks around the turbo housing.

AdBlue System

Medium risk

Post-2015 diesels use AdBlue for emissions. Sensor failures and tank heater issues are common. Budget £200-£500 for repairs.

EGR Valve

Watch out

Exhaust Gas Recirculation valves clog with carbon deposits, causing rough running and poor economy. Cleaning costs £150-£300, replacement £300-£600.

Dual Mass Flywheel

Watch out

Larger diesel engines put extra strain on the dual mass flywheel. Listen for rattling at idle. Replacement with clutch is £800-£1,500.

Rust and Corrosion

Watch out

At 10+ years, check wheel arches, sills, subframe, and brake lines for rust. Structural corrosion is an MOT failure. Prevention is far cheaper than repair.

Suspension Bushings

Watch out

Rubber suspension bushes harden and crack with age, causing knocking noises and vague handling. A full refresh costs £300-£800 depending on the car.

Clutch Wear

Watch out

With an average of 120k miles, clutch replacement may be due (typical lifespan 60,000-100,000 miles). Budget £400-£800 for a new clutch kit.

Brake Discs and Pads

Medium risk

High-mileage cars often need brake disc replacement, not just pads. A full set of discs and pads costs £200-£500 per axle.

Engine Mounts

Medium risk

Worn engine mounts cause excessive vibration and movement. Replacement costs £150-£400 per mount. Check for vibration at idle with the bonnet open.

Service History

Low risk

Always request a full service history. Regular servicing is the single best indicator of how well a car has been maintained, regardless of mileage.

Running Costs Compared

How the 2016 MERCEDES SPRINTER stacks up against similar cars for annual running costs, insurance, and tax.

CarPass RateFuel/yrTax/yrInsuranceTotal/yr
MERCEDES SPRINTER(2016)83%£1245£395Grp 30-42£2045
MERCEDES GLC(2018)91%£1245£190Grp 30-42£1690-£355
AUDI A5(2017)89%£1245£190Grp 30-42£1840-£205
FORD RANGER(2018)85%£1245£190Grp 35-50£1840-£205
LAND ROVER RANGE ROVER VELAR(2018)91%£1245£190Grp 30-42£1690-£355

Estimates based on 7,400 miles/year, current fuel prices, and MOT data. Insurance groups are indicative. Actual costs vary by driver, location, and usage.

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