The Mercedes-Benz Vito was always one of the smartest cookies in the panel van
box. Even before its relaunch in 2003, it was a dazzling looker and with its
three-pointed star on the bonnet, this version still commands high prices on
the secondhand market.
Mercedes-Benz has always been at the cutting edge of technology and innovation
and the Vito was always ahead of the game on both fronts, offering items such
as ABS brakes and traction control systems as standard in later models. It has
never been the cheapest van to buy or run but then again quality always has to
be paid for.
The Vito didn’t get a set of common rail diesel engines until 1999, despite
the fact that they were offered as standard in its bigger brother the Sprinter
from launch in 1995. Pre-1999 Vito models with old-fashioned engines were relatively
sluggish and rattly.
As with most German vehicles, the seats in the Vito are slab hard, but turn out
on long journeys to be very firm and supportive. All the knobs and switches are
quality items, although in this model, standard CD players had not yet been introduced,
so drivers will have to make do with a radio/cassette player.
Mercedes-Benz levels of quality extend past build and into road manners, thus
the Vito offers crisp handling and a pleasing ride. Post 1999 engines on offer
are 2.1-litre units pumping out 82bhp and 147lb-ft of torque, 102bhp and 184lb-ft
of torque and 122bhp and 221lb-ft of torque and there was also a 2.0-litre petrol
engine with 129bhp, so there is a chance that some models may have been converted
to run on LPG. Later models also featured an uprated gearbox and clutch.