2002 Mercedes-Benz Sprinter 2.2L Diesel · FH52 MXD

The vehicle currently fails the roadworthiness standard. The most recent test on 7 April 2026 at 158,736 miles returned a fail with no defects recorded, which mirrors an identical pattern in prior years. The maintenance trend is neither improving nor deteriorating in a mechanical sense; rather, the owner shows a repeated habit of presenting the van for test before resolving the unspecified failure basis, then returning it shortly after. This suggests administrative or preparatory neglect rather than escalating wear. Recorded mileage sits at a plausible 6,614 miles per year for a 24 year old Sprinter. The odometer moved from 146,423 miles on 5 March 2024 to 158,736 miles on 7 April 2026, a gain of 12,313 miles across just over two years. Gaps between tests are narrow, with fails on 5 March 2024 and 18 March 2025 followed by passes on 20 March 2024 and 3 April 2025 respectively. The clean defect columns across all five entries give no evidence of suspension bushes, brake discs, corrosion, or exhaust emissions faults being raised by testers. A buyer must treat the four fails across 2024 to 2026 as a red flag for owner diligence. The DVSA data logs no defects on any fail, so the refusal basis remains undocumented in this record. Inspect the vehicle in person for structural integrity issues, hidden chassis rust, binding calipers, and worn coil springs that a cursory test might omit. Verify the April 2026 fail was cleared with a valid certificate before purchase. Given the repeated fail then pass cycle within weeks, previous keepers likely deferred basic upkeep and rushed the van through retests. Commission an independent pre purchase inspection focusing on drivetrain components and brake condition to confirm the clean advisories reflect reality rather than oversight.