2012 Mercedes-Benz Sprinter 2.1L Diesel · LP62 AAF

The most recent DVSA MOT test on 2 February 2026 recorded a pass, with the only advisory being a deteriorated but still legible front registration plate. However, the previous annual test on 3 February 2025 produced a more concerning advisory of play in the nearside steering rack inner joint, the same item that was flagged as an advisory on the failed re-test on 29 January 2025. That earlier test failure itself warrants close attention, as it included major defects for an ABS warning lamp indicating a fault, a non-functioning rear fog lamp, an electronic stability control warning lamp fault, and a nearside front service brake lagging in operation. The overall maintenance trend is therefore deteriorating rather than stable, with braking, ABS, and stability control systems all having raised faults in quick succession, alongside an unresolved steering component advisory that has now carried forward into the latest pass. The intervening years of 2023 and 2024 were completely defect free, which suggests the more recent issues represent emerging faults rather than long-standing neglect. Recorded mileage of 79,159 miles against a 2012 build year equates to roughly 5,650 miles per annum, which is exceptionally low for a commercial vehicle of this type and points towards significant periods of standing or very light use. Such underutilisation carries its own mechanical implications, including accelerated corrosion of brake discs from lack of regular bedding in, potential binding or seized calipers, deterioration of rubber components such as suspension bushes, drive shaft boots, and coolant hoses from age rather than mileage, and degradation of brake fluid, diesel fuel, and 12V battery condition through calendar ageing. The mileage is also plausibly inconsistent with a working van, so it is worth verifying the MOT odometer readings against the service book and any available invoices to ensure the figure is continuous and not the result of instrument cluster replacement or clocked history. Given the ABS, ESC, and front brake faults recorded in January 2025, a prospective buyer should establish whether the vehicle subsequently received diagnostic scans and rectification work, and whether any stored fault codes have since been cleared. The nearside steering rack inner joint play is particularly important: it is an advisory that may worsen quickly, and on a test drive one should listen for clonking or knocking from the front end over bumps, feel for vagueness or slack in the steering around the straight-ahead position, and inspect the inner tie rod boots for splits or grease loss. The nearside front service brake lagging issue is also significant, and any pull to one side under braking, a soft or unbalanced pedal feel, or uneven disc wear visible on inspection would suggest the fault has not been properly resolved. A handheld OBD scan confirming no current ABS or ESC fault codes would be reassuring. Beyond the recorded MOT defects, the age and low-mileage profile of this Sprinter demands several physical checks before purchase. Tyres should be examined for sidewall cracking, perishing, and tread depth, as old tyres can harden and lose grip even with adequate tread; the production date on the sidewall should ideally be within the last five years. The brake discs, particularly the rear units given the long periods of standing, should be checked for severe surface corrosion, and the caliper sliders and handbrake mechanism operated to confirm they release cleanly without sticking. The 12V battery should be load tested given its age, and the cooling system, power steering, and brake fluid should all be regarded as overdue for renewal on a calendar basis rather than mileage. A thorough underside inspection on a ramp for corrosion to suspension arms, subframes, brake lines, and exhaust mounting points is strongly advised, as vans of this age and vocational use frequently suffer from underfloor corrosion that does not always show on the MOT but can affect structural integrity.