Thinking of buying a Vito - any pointers?

[MrBond]

hi,
New to the forum. Looks great by the way, so just having a nose around.

I am contemplating puchasing a double cab (5 seater - its going to be a work/car vehicle) Vito around the 2008 era and wondered if the members of the forum could share any advice with regards to this model.
I am time served mechanic so know how to spot the "better buys" so to speak, but don't know much about this model and would be grateful of any pitfals/general recommendations.

Many thanks for reading.

 

[GordonTarling]

BTB500 knows a lot about these vehicles - he's away for the weekend, but I'm sure he'll chime in on his return.

 

[MrBond]

BTB500 knows a lot about these vehicles - he's away for the weekend, but I'm sure he'll chime in on his return.

excellent, thanks Gordon

 

[ringway]

Here's a pointer. LINK.

A great shame because otherwise (apart from a pressure sensor issue) it has been a fantastic motor.

 

[davidjpowell]

R U S T. A 2007 Sprinter around the corner from us has a very fetching outbreak.....

 

[BTB 500]

We've had a 2007 Dualiner (6 seats) from new which has been excellent so far- have a look at my gallery pictures (click the picture in my signature line).

The vast majority of Vitos from 2005 onwards are rust free - they have galvanised panels (and plastic front wings, although they changed back to steel in the most recent facelift). A few have had issues with the optional chrome trim on the tailgate being badly fitted, causing localised rusting there. So that is something to check for.

In 6 years ours has only needed one glowplug replacing, plus a single parking sensor and the front window regulators under warranty. The windows are/were a common issue, not sure if they changed the design of the regulators but (touch wood) ours have been OK since.

Ours is the 3.0 V6 auto which is fast, smooth, and refined - definitely the most 'car like' version, and there is no equivalent van from any other manufacturer. But it does only average about 25 mpg ... up to 30 on a long run (we take it to Germany and back at least once a year). The other versions are all 2.2 4-cyl, in different states of tune. The last 2 digits of the designation give the approximate bhp when you add a zero to the end ... so a Vito 115 is 150 bhp, a 111 is 110 bhp, etc.

Vitos come in 3 lengths - Compact and Long (which are the same wheelbase), and Extra-Long (which has a longer wheelbase). Many sellers wrongly refer to the Long as "LWB" though. The Long makes most sense IMHO - the Compact doesn't have room behind the back axle for an under-slung spare wheel carrier, so you either have to have the spare on a bracket inside the vehicle or make do with a sealant kit (no spare).

If you have any specific questions just ask.

 

[flango]

Speaking of rust I was in the exhaust place Saturday morning and there was a 10 plate W211 in with rust on the rear panel