Mercedes Vito and Viano W639 (2003-2014): known problems and buying guide

A workable van if the body is sound, so check rust and injector leaks before anything else.

Updated 26 October 2026

All versions

Variant	Running cost per month	Median price	Listings	Fuel	Engine codes	Gearbox	Production years
Kombi lang 113 CDI, 136 PS, 6-speed manual, rear-wheel drive Research	€534	€7,799	132	Diesel	651.940	Manual (6)	2010–2014
Kombi lang 116 CDI, 163 PS, 5-speed automatic, rear-wheel drive Research	€585	€10,999	113	Diesel	651.940	Automatic (5)	2010–2014
Kombi lang 116 CDI, 163 PS, 5-speed automatic, all-wheel drive Research	€610	€10,999	113	Diesel	651.940	Automatic (5)	2010–2014
Kombi lang 116 CDI, 163 PS, 6-speed manual, rear-wheel drive Research	€550	€8,999	105	Diesel	651.940	Manual (6)	2010–2014
Kombi lang 110 CDI, 95 PS, 6-speed manual, rear-wheel drive Research	€519	€6,999	93	Diesel	651.940	Manual (6)	2010–2014
Kombi lang 122 CDI, 224 PS, 5-speed automatic, rear-wheel drive	€622	€12,900	72	Diesel	642.890	Automatic (5)	2010–2014
Kombi lang 113 CDI, 136 PS, 5-speed automatic, rear-wheel drive Research	€569	€10,000	71	Diesel	651.940	Automatic (5)	2010–2014
Kombi lang 113 CDI, 136 PS, 5-speed automatic, all-wheel drive Research	€594	€10,000	71	Diesel	651.940	Automatic (5)	2010–2014

Covers: Vito and Viano W639, 2003 to 2014, before and after the 2010 facelift. The Viano is the same van with a passenger body.
Reliability: 3/5. Engines usually cope with high mileage, but injector leaks and rust cost money.
DIY: 3/5. Checks and simple repairs are easy, but coding after injector or ECU work needs Mercedes XENTRY software.
Biggest risks: injector leaks on the OM646 diesel, and rust at the tailgate, sills and sliding door.
Prefer: facelift vans (2010 on) with a dry body and oil changed on time. Avoid: pre-2006 vans with rust, and cars with fumes at the injectors or oil at the oil cooler.

OM646 2.2 CDI (to 2010): injector leaks are the known fault. See the table below.
OM651 2.1 CDI (113 and 116 CDI, from 2010): see the OM651 guide for its timing chain and injector issues.
OM642 3.0 V6 CDI (120 and 122 CDI, Viano 3.0 CDI): the oil cooler seal can leak, and the swirl flap actuator can fail.

Issue	Affects	Typical km	Repair cost
Injector leaks and carbon build-up	OM646 2.2 CDI, to 2010	Not stated	No confirmed price
Body rust at tailgate, sills and sliding door	All cars; worst before 2006	Not stated	No confirmed price
Oil cooler seal leaks	OM642 3.0 V6 CDI	Not stated	No confirmed price
Swirl flap actuator faults	OM642 3.0 V6 CDI	Not stated	No confirmed price

Injectors (OM646): start the engine cold and listen for rough running. Smell for fumes and look for black carbon at the injector seats. A workshop test measures the return flow from each injector. Bad result: a leaking injector, which is replaced on its own.
Rust: on a lift, check the tailgate, sills, sliding door bottom edge, door edges and bonnet edge for bubbles, soft metal or holes. Bad result: any holed metal. Pre-2006 vans need the closest check.
Oil cooler seal (OM642): look for fresh oil at the rear of the engine and around the oil cooler. Bad result: fresh oil.
Swirl flap (OM642): a scanner reads the fault memory for P2004 and P2006. Bad result: either code stored.
Driver airbag recall: check the VIN for open campaign 15198R on the KBA (German transport authority) recall page, or ask a Mercedes dealer. Bad result: an open campaign. Ask for proof that the work was done.

Operational	€245
Workshop	€158
Fixed costs (tax, insurance)	€176
Total per month	€579
New-car depreciation (not included)	€65

ADAC figures for 15,000 km a year over 60 months

Listings on mobile.de priced up to 50,000 EUR, 29 October 2026.

To check a listing's price, open its variant in the table above. Each variant page has a price check.