Mercedes Vaneo (2004)

Estimated running costs and MOT pass rates from 154 MOT tests in 2024.

Annual Cost

£2,511

£209/month

MOT Pass Rate

75%

Average

Road Tax

£325

Estimated/year

Est. Insurance

Grp 18-32

1898cc Petrol

Check Carefully

75% pass rate, £2,511/year to run. 7 points below average.

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Petrol1898cc22 years old154 tests70k miles avg

Annual Running Costs

Fuel (Petrol, 1898cc)

~36 mpg

£1,631

Road Tax

Estimated CO2 band

£325

MOT Test

£55

Predicted Repairs

£500

Total per year£2,511

Per month£209/mo

Per week£48/wk

Estimates based on 7,400 miles/year (UK average), petrol at 174.57p a litre (GOV.UK weekly average, week of 19 October 2026), GOV.UK road tax rates and repair likelihood from MOT data. Insurance not included.

Reliability Verdict

75% MOT pass rate(Average)

0%All-model avg: 82%100%

Average reliability. Expect some repairs as it ages. That's 7 points below the average of 82% across all models in our data. It falls below the Mercedes brand average of 87%.

75% of MOT tests on Mercedes Vaneos from 2004 ended in a pass in 2024, when they were about 20 years old. That's based on 154 tests across the UK, retests included. The average mileage recorded at those tests was 69,779 miles.

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How Does It Compare?

Rank among 2004 models200th of 470(top half)

Rank among Mercedes models1239th of 1,376(bottom 11%)

vs average of all models-7%(82% avg)

vs 2004 models average+3%(72% avg)

vs Mercedes average-12%(87% avg)

Mileage Analysis

69,779

Average miles

148,000

Expected for age

The average 2004 Mercedes Vaneo had 69,779 miles on the clock at its 2024 MOT, which is significantly below the expected 148,000 miles for a 20-year-old car. Low-mileage examples may have spent time sitting unused, so check for issues like corroded brakes or perished rubber seals.

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Mercedes Vaneo by Year

Year	Pass Rate	Tests	Avg Mileage
2006	69%	87	67,720 mi
2005	66%	188	70,031 mi
2004	75%	154	69,779 mi
2003	70%	179	82,085 mi
2002	79%	61	111,097 mi

Similar Cars to Consider

Ford Focus

2006 · 1596cc Petrol

£2,228/year

73%

-2%

MINI

2005 · 1598cc Petrol

£2,228/year

71%

-4%

BMW 3 Series

2006 · 1796cc Petrol

£2,361/year

80%

+5%

Renault Clio

2006 · 1998cc Petrol

£2,711/year

68%

-7%

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About the 2004 Mercedes Vaneo

The 2004 Mercedes Vaneo is a premium car. Our records list a 1898cc petrol engine, though engines vary between versions. 154 MOT tests were recorded on this model in 2024, making it a rare model on UK roads. Among all models from 2004, the average MOT pass rate is 72%, and this model beats that benchmark.

With an average of 69,779 miles recorded at its 2024 MOT tests, Mercedes Vaneo owners tend to use this car less than the typical driver. Very low mileage could mean the car has been garaged or used only for short trips, which can cause its own issues like battery drain and moisture buildup.

2004 Mercedes Vaneo Fuel Costs

The 1898cc petrol engine offers a reasonable balance between performance and economy. Expect around 36 mpg in mixed driving, which works out to roughly £1,631 per year with petrol at 174.57p per litre (GOV.UK weekly average, week of 19 October 2026; based on 7,400 miles per year).

What does it cost to own a 2004 Mercedes Vaneo?

Total estimated annual running cost is £2,511 (£209/month), broken down as £1,631 fuel, £325 road tax, £55 MOT, and £500 predicted repairs. Repair costs are moderate, reflecting the 75% pass rate. Keeping on top of servicing will help avoid surprises.

Mercedes Vaneo Reliability Trend

The Mercedes Vaneo has maintained consistent MOT pass rates across model years, varying by only 1 percentage point.

Buying a Used 2004 Mercedes Vaneo

At 22 years old, the Mercedes Vaneo 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.

Common Issues to Watch For

These are typical issues for cars of this age, fuel type and engine size, not faults recorded on this model's MOT tests. Use them as a checklist when you view one.

Timing Chain / Belt

Watch out

At 22 years old, check whether the timing belt has been replaced (typically due every 5-7 years or 60,000-100,000 miles). A snapped belt can destroy the engine.

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.

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 2004 Mercedes Vaneo stacks up against similar cars for estimated annual running costs, insurance group, and tax.

Car	Pass Rate	Fuel/yr	Tax/yr	Est. Ins. Group	Total/yr
Mercedes Vaneo(2004)	75%	£1,631	£325	Grp 18-32	£2,511
Ford Focus(2006)	73%	£1,398	£275	Grp 12-25	£2,228-£283
MINI(2005)	71%	£1,398	£275	Grp 12-25	£2,228-£283
BMW 3 Series(2006)	80%	£1,631	£325	Grp 18-32	£2,361-£150
Renault Clio(2006)	68%	£1,631	£325	Grp 18-32	£2,711+£200

Estimates based on 7,400 miles/year, GOV.UK average pump prices for the week of 19 October 2026, GOV.UK road tax rates and MOT data. Insurance groups are our rough estimate from engine size, not official groups. Actual costs vary by driver, location, and usage.

Questions about the 2004 Mercedes Vaneo

Is the 2004 Mercedes Vaneo reliable?

Average reliability. Expect some repairs as it ages. 75% of MOT tests on 2004 Mercedes Vaneos ended in a pass, from 154 tests (DVSA MOT data for tests in 2024, retests included). That's 7 points below the average of 82% across all models in the same data.

How much does a 2004 Mercedes Vaneo cost to run?

Our estimate is £2,511 a year (£209 a month): £1,631 fuel, £325 road tax, £55 MOT and £500 predicted repairs, based on 7,400 miles a year. Insurance is not included.

What is the MOT pass rate for a 2004 Mercedes Vaneo?

75% of 154 MOT tests on the 2004 Mercedes Vaneo ended in a pass (DVSA MOT data for tests in 2024, retests included). That ranks it 200th of 470 models first registered in 2004 (top half).

Which year Mercedes Vaneo has the best MOT pass rate?

Of the years with at least 100 tests, the 2004 Mercedes Vaneo has the highest MOT pass rate at 75% and the 2005 the lowest at 66%. Newer cars usually pass more often simply because they are younger and have done fewer miles.

What is the average mileage for a 2004 Mercedes Vaneo?

The average mileage recorded at MOT tests on the 2004 Mercedes Vaneo is 69,779 miles, which is significantly below the expected 148,000 miles for a 20-year-old car. Low-mileage examples may have spent time sitting unused, so check for issues like corroded brakes or perished rubber seals.