2021 Mercedes-Benz Sprinter 2.1L Diesel · ND21 VOT

The Sprinter's roadworthiness record shows a mixed but recently stabilising picture. The most recent test on 25 July 2025 at 33,433 miles passed, but only after a failure the day before on 24 July 2025 at 33,420 miles. That failure flagged a non-functioning nearside rear seat repeater, an inoperative offside rear outline marker lamp, rear brake pads wearing thin, and a nearside rear tyre with damaged ply or cords. The immediate retest passing suggests these were rectified quickly, though the pattern of failing on basic lighting and tyre condition before passing raises questions about day-to-day upkeep. The rear brake pad advisory from the pass confirms braking components remain a live wear item requiring ongoing attention. The mileage progression tells a coherent story. Between the August 2024 test at around 24,553 to 24,559 miles and the July 2025 tests at 33,420 to 33,433 miles, the van accumulated roughly 8,870 miles in just under eleven months. That is a sharp increase compared to the earlier trajectory and points to a period of heavier use or more consistent daily operation after a relatively light initial life. No significant gaps appear in the record, and the annualised figure of around 6,687 miles sits within typical expectations for a working van of this age. A buyer should focus the physical inspection on three areas. First, the braking system demands close scrutiny. Rear pads were flagged as wearing thin at 33,433 miles, and the 2024 failure recorded a parking brake efficiency deficiency alongside an inadequately clipped offside rear brake pipe. Check the condition of all brake discs, calipers for binding, and the security and routing of every brake line and hose under the vehicle. Second, tyre integrity has been a recurring concern. The 2024 failure exposed cuts reaching the ply or cords on three separate tyres, and the 2025 failure repeated the issue on the nearside rear. Inspect all tyres, including the spare, for sidewall damage, uneven wear, and age-related cracking. Third, the 2024 failure included active ABS and ESC warning lamps, plus an inoperative engine MIL. These electronic faults passed on retest, but a diagnostic scan should verify no stored fault codes remain and that all warning lamps illuminate and extinguish correctly on ignition. Finally, examine the rear bodywork and lamp clusters for damage or water ingress that could explain the repeated lighting faults.