The Mercedes-Benz Sprinter is currently one of the most sought-after vans on the automobile market.
But it wasn’t always like this. It’s its efficiency, usefulness, and above all, reliability that has made this accomplishment possible.
The Mercedes Sprinter has enjoyed a long-established reputation for outstanding reliability.
The van runs on a German-made engine, which comes in two offerings; gasoline and diesel configuration. Considering the size and mass of the sprinters, it has an impressive gas mileage of up to an average of 22 mpg.
Besides its highly efficient engine, Sprinter vans also possess sound chassis and are designed to withstand rugged terrain.
This article will investigate and show you why the Mercedes-Benz Sprinter is one of the most reliable vans in the United States and the world.
The Safety
The Mercedes-Benz Sprinter offers one of the most advanced safety features in the automobile industry.
Driver and Passenger Airbags
The driver and passenger front, thorax, and window airbags will keep everyone safe in the event of an accident.
Active Brake Assist
This in-built safety system picks up on the likelihood of a collision with an oncoming vehicle and immediately sends visual and audible warnings, which is followed by autonomous braking.
Active Distance Assist
This is an intelligent cruise control system that senses prevailing traffic conditions and subsequently paces your speed to keep your van at a safe distance.
360° Camera
When driving your van in reverse, this visual parking assistant employs four high-definition cameras to capture your surroundings and bring them on your multimedia display in real-time.
Hill Start Assist
The role of this safety system is to prevent your van from rolling backward or forward, offering you additional road confidence when starting on a hill.
Crosswind Assist
This system picks up on the oncoming crosswinds against the van’s sail-like side and adjusts the individual wheel brake to keep the van safely on the road.
Attention Assist
It helps to monitor the driver’s sleeping pattern and provide warnings if fatigue is detected, thereby preventing sleep-driving.
Traffic Sign Assist
This system uses a camera to assist with identifying speed restriction signs, No Passing Zones, and No Entry signs.
Others
Other safety systems include Active Lane Keeping Assist, Blind Spot Assist, Load-Adaptive Electronic Stability Program, and Rescue Assist.
The Maintenance
Maintenance and repair is an important aspect of every vehicle, including the luxury van. This simple factor is usually the difference between long-lasting vans and broken ones.
Compared to other vehicles, the maintenance cost for a Sprinter is typically higher.
The only advantage is that Sprinter vans are remarkably reliable, so, the visits will be considerably few and far between. Do the following for every 10,000 miles your vans covers:
Check all fluid levels
Check transmission and engine for leaks
Rotate all tires and check the air pressure
Change oil and filter
Check exterior lights
Check windshield wipers and washer system, as well as belts and hoses
Check abrasion points, shock absorber, brake pads, and steering
Replace the fuel filter
Check ball joints and axle driveshafts
Reset ASSYST maintenance computer.
Spare parts
Parts are usually expensive, this shouldn’t come as a surprise at this point. But it’s worth it.
Whenever parts go bad, fix the ones that need fixing and definitely replace the ones that require replacement and do it as soon as possible.
Second hand value
Mostly due to their durability and the fact that they are well sought-after in the market, Sprinter vans fetches a handsome second-hand price.
Common problems
The following are some of the common problems encountered by Splinter van;
Broken flex pipe
The exhaust flex pipe of Sprinter vans is popular for breaking down and causing engine trouble. What usually happens is that the pipe develops a hot exhaust leak that goes on to melt the flex pipe wiring.
It can sometimes even affect the DEF nozzles and lines. If left unchecked, it can lead to total engine shut down.
Clogged diesel particulate filter (DPF)
The DPF filters exhaust particles and stop black smoke from leaving through the tailpipe of the Sprinter.
Foreign matter can block this DPF and hinder proper exhaust flow. Otherwise, it may cause performance issues.
Faulty glow plugs
Instead of spark plugs to fire up the engine as in fuel vans, glow plugs are used in diesel Sprinter vans. Over time, these glow plugs can wear or break causing problems for the engine.
Oil Leak
Oil leaks, particularly oil cooler leaks, are a very common Sprinter van problem. They typically occur at the oil cooler gasket. Repairing the gasket often fixes the problem.
Is it profitable as commercial purpose?
The return on investment when Sprinter vans are used for a commercial purpose or as luxury passenger rental, is off the charts.
They are perfect for any business from small to medium scale businesses like delivery services, event planning, interior decor, plumbing, electrician, etc.
Most of your profit goes back into your business as your sprinter van is reliable enough to hardly ever need major repairs.
The following are some of the frequently asked questions about the Mercedes-Benz Sprinter van.
What features make the Benz sprinter stand out?
First, Sprinter vans are the only cargo vans that come from the factory fitted with the 4×4 option.
This feature is especially useful for van owners who are looking to push the edge of adventure without any drawback from their vehicle’s capabilities.
Having a 4×4 vehicle is often the difference between overcoming rough terrain or succumbing to it.
Furthermore, Sprinter vans are surprisingly easy and comfortable to drive, considering the sprinter van length and tallness.
They are not clumsy as big cargo vans are expected to be. Instead, they easily maneuver city streets and corners.
Also, they pack descent power to meet up the speed requirement and can comfortably travel long distances.
Are Sprinter vans expensive to maintain and repair?
Maintaining and repairing a Mercedes-Benz is expensive. It will cost around $18,634 to take care of it in the first 10 years of service.
This is slightly higher than the industry average for luxury full size vans by about $1,550. The number significantly goes up if the repair is a major one.
How many miles do Sprinter vans last?
Mercedes-Benz Sprinter vans are famous for their durability. Everything from their body to their engine is built to last.
They can easily rack up 300,000 miles or more. It’s not uncommon for a Sprinter van to pull off 450,000 miles and still be kicking fine.
You should, however, prepare for your van to undergo its first major repair after 150,000 miles under its belt.
What year is the most reliable Sprinter van?
While there has been improvement in every model year, all Sprinter vans are nonetheless solid.
After a study that involved all the available Sprinter model years from 2004 upwards, the consensus rested on the 2006 model year.
This outcome is a no-brainer as the 2006 model year has the best quality exterior.
Which vans last the longest?
On average, they all do fine to about the same degree. Typically, this is anywhere between 150,000 to 300,000 miles.
But the 2006 model year takes the cake. It’s ranked the best Sprinter van of all time.
Why are Sprinter vans so expensive?
There are two things that everyone who has ever bought and driven a Mercedes-Benz Sprinter van agrees on. First, it’s expensive. Second, it’s worth the price.
The reason it’s expensive is simple; this famous Mercedez van has a reputation for reliability and is packed with top-of-the-chain safety features.
What’s more, it’s manufactured by one of the world’s leading automotive companies.
What is high mileage for a Sprinter van?
Apart from their durability, Sprinter vans are also known for their high mileage. But even then, racking 300,000 miles or more miles within the first 10 years of service is considered high.
Why do Sprinter vans rust so much and how to deal with it?
Rust is one major problem that the owners and users of Sprinter vans have reported worldwide. It’s believed to be common in all Mercedes vehicles, but that’s not what this article is about.
This rust problem is primarily due to a design flaw. Mercedes-Benz began applying fewer coats of paints while switching to water-based paints.
This decision lowered the protection offered to the vehicle’s exterior. The hack is to treat your van with an anti-rust solution, irrespective of the model year. It’s better to do it as a precautionary measure.
But if your van already has rust, sand, and grind the area(s) affected. Then, apply the anti-rust solution, before following it up with a primer and topcoat of paint respectively.
What year should sprinters avoid?
The Mercedes-Benz Sprinter van model year to avoid is simply the one that has registered the highest number of complaints.
This honor (or not) goes to the 2015 model year. Complaints include problems with the body, paint, interior accessory, and windshield/window problems.
What is the best second-hand van to buy?
The best model year to buy is 2006.
How much can you make owning a Sprinter van?
That depends on what you’re doing with it. From renting it out for a fee to using it to run your own business, there is so much you can do and earn with a Sprinter van.
