How much does a 1997 MERCEDES VITO cost to run?

Estimated annual running cost is £2,397 (£200/month), including £1327 fuel, £315 road tax, £55 MOT, and £700 predicted repairs.

What is the MOT pass rate for a 1997 MERCEDES VITO?

The 1997 MERCEDES VITO has a 66% MOT pass rate based on 203 tests in 2026. This ranks 290 out of 320 cars from 1997.

Which year MERCEDES VITO is most reliable?

The 2022 MERCEDES VITO has the highest MOT pass rate at 91%. The least reliable year is 1997 at 66%.

MERCEDES VITO (1997)

Q: What is the average mileage for a 1997 MERCEDES VITO?

The average mileage for a 1997 MERCEDES VITO is 105,658 miles, which is significantly below the expected 214,600 miles for a 29-year-old car. Low-mileage examples may have spent time sitting unused, so check for issues like corroded brakes or perished rubber seals.

Running costs, reliability data, and common problems from 203 real MOT tests.

Annual Cost

£2,397

£200/month

MOT Pass Rate

66%

Below Avg

Road Tax

£315

Based on CC/year

Insurance

Grp 18-32

1998cc Petrol

Proceed With Caution

66% pass rate, £2397/year to run. 16 points below average.

Buying this car? Check for finance, write-offs & theft

£4.99

Check a specific MERCEDES VITO

Enter a reg plate for full MOT history, mileage check, health score, running costs, and reliability data. Free, instant, no signup.

Petrol1998cc29 years old203 tests106k miles avg

Annual Running Costs

Fuel (Petrol, 1998cc)

~36 mpg

£1,327

Road Tax

Based on 1998cc

£315

MOT Test

£55

Predicted Repairs

Higher estimate due to low pass rate

£700

Total per year£2,397

Per month£200/mo

Per week£46/wk

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

🛡️

Get an insurance quote for this MERCEDES VITO

Compare quotes and find the best deal

Reliability Verdict

66% MOT pass rate(Below Avg)

0%National avg: 82%100%

Below average reliability. Budget extra for maintenance and repairs. That's 16 points below the national average of 82%. It falls below the MERCEDES brand average of 87%.

At 29 years old, 66% of MERCEDES VITOs from 1997 passed their MOT first time in 2026. That's based on 203 tests across the UK. The average mileage at this age is 105,658 miles.

Got a MERCEDES VITO you're looking at?

Enter the reg plate to check its specific MOT history, mileage, and health score.

How Does It Compare?

Rank among 1997 cars290th of 320(top 91%)

Rank among MERCEDES models1388th of 1,408(top 99%)

vs national average-16%(82% avg)

vs 1997 cars average-9%(75% avg)

vs MERCEDES average-21%(87% avg)

Mileage Analysis

105,658

Average miles

214,600

Expected for age

The average 1997 MERCEDES VITO has 105,658 miles on the clock, which is significantly below the expected 214,600 miles for a 29-year-old car. Low-mileage examples may have spent time sitting unused, so check for issues like corroded brakes or perished rubber seals.

Looking at a specific MERCEDES VITO?

Enter its reg plate for a free check with full MOT history, mileage verification, and predicted costs.

Best Year to Buy?

The most reliable year is the 2022 model with a 91% MOT pass rate, while the 1997 model has the lowest at 66%. Consider a different year if reliability is a priority.

MERCEDES VITO by Year

Year	Pass Rate	Tests	Avg Mileage
2024	100%	30	8,898 mi
2023	90%	138	34,230 mi
2022	91%	501	59,717 mi
2021	88%	4,675	62,567 mi
2020	85%	5,461	69,552 mi
2019	84%	15,564	94,618 mi
2018	85%	11,705	105,200 mi
2017	83%	16,514	128,006 mi
2016	81%	12,065	130,835 mi
2015	80%	9,882	140,680 mi
2014	79%	9,119	154,008 mi
2013	78%	9,645	167,479 mi
2012	77%	8,730	168,448 mi
2011	76%	6,819	168,028 mi
2010	76%	8,085	177,934 mi
2009	75%	7,897	177,659 mi
2008	74%	8,480	172,432 mi
2007	74%	8,446	172,589 mi
2006	73%	7,080	171,206 mi
2005	69%	3,857	154,561 mi
2004	68%	1,698	143,135 mi
2003	69%	885	126,821 mi
2002	67%	740	136,829 mi
2001	67%	452	123,331 mi
2000	70%	253	116,943 mi
1999	67%	401	118,559 mi
1998	66%	494	110,818 mi
1997	66%	203	105,658 mi

Similar Cars to Consider

VOLKSWAGEN TRANSPORTER

1996 · 2490cc Petrol

£2,597/year

67%

+1%

MAZDA MX-5

1999 · 1600cc Petrol

£1,827/year

73%

+7%

VOLKSWAGEN GOLF

1999 · 1781cc Petrol

£2,017/year

71%

+5%

BMW 3 SERIES

1999 · 2494cc Petrol

£2,397/year

78%

+12%

Check a Specific Mercedes Vito

Enter a reg plate to get the full MOT history, health score, and mileage verification.

Upgrade to Premium (£4.99) for stolen, finance, and write-off checks.

About the 1997 MERCEDES VITO

The 1997 MERCEDES VITO is a family car with a 1998cc petrol engine. 203 of these vehicles were MOT tested in 2026, making it a less common model in the UK market. It sits in the bottom 91% of 1997 cars for MOT pass rates.

With an average of 105,658 miles at 29 years old, MERCEDES VITO 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.

1997 MERCEDES VITO Fuel Costs

The 1998cc petrol engine offers a reasonable balance between performance and economy. Expect around 36 mpg in mixed driving, which works out to roughly £1,327 per year at current petrol prices of 142p per litre (based on 7,400 miles per year).

What does it cost to own a 1997 MERCEDES VITO?

Total estimated annual running cost is £2,397 (£200/month), broken down as £1327 fuel, £315 road tax, £55 MOT, and £700 predicted repairs. The higher repair estimate reflects the 66% MOT pass rate. Cars in this bracket tend to need work on suspension, brakes, and emissions components.

MERCEDES VITO Reliability Trend

Newer MERCEDES VITOs show better MOT pass rates than older ones, with an average improvement of 13 percentage points.

Buying a Used 1997 MERCEDES VITO

At 29 years old, the MERCEDES VITO 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

Based on the 1997 MERCEDES VITO's fuel type, age, and engine size, these are the most likely problem areas to check.

Timing Chain / Belt

Watch out

At 29 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.

Clutch Wear

Watch out

With an average of 106k 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.

Higher Than Average Failure Rate

Watch out

With a 66% MOT pass rate, this model fails more often than most. Budget for unexpected repairs and get a thorough pre-purchase inspection.

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 1997 MERCEDES VITO stacks up against similar cars for annual running costs, insurance, and tax.

Car	Pass Rate	Fuel/yr	Tax/yr	Insurance	Total/yr
MERCEDES VITO(1997)	66%	£1327	£315	Grp 18-32	£2397
VOLKSWAGEN TRANSPORTER(1996)	67%	£1592	£250	Grp 25-38	£2597+£200
MAZDA MX-5(1999)	73%	£1137	£135	Grp 12-25	£1827-£570
VOLKSWAGEN GOLF(1999)	71%	£1327	£135	Grp 18-32	£2017-£380
BMW 3 SERIES(1999)	78%	£1592	£250	Grp 25-38	£2397same

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.