Is the Mercedes-Benz Sprinter ULEZ Compliant?
Based on 22,641 MOT tests, around 27% of Mercedes-Benz Sprinters still on the road are likely to meet London's ULEZ standards, and about 61% are likely to be charged. For the remaining 12%, it depends on the exact Euro standard or month of registration.
The fuel mix matters: tested cars were 100% diesel. Diesel Sprinters are generally compliant from 2016, while diesel cars from 2013 or earlier are likely to be charged.
- Likely compliant
- 27%
- Likely charged
- 61%
- Depends on the car
- 12%
- MOT tests analysed
- 22,641
Check a specific Sprinter
Year and fuel type are a guide. Enter the registration to check that car's own record.
Sprinter ULEZ compliance by year and fuel
Estimated from the year of first registration. Numbers show how many Sprinters of each type were MOT tested, as a guide to how common they are.
| First registered | Diesel |
|---|---|
| 2022 | Likely compliant234 tested |
| 2021 | Likely compliant177 tested |
| 2020 | Likely compliant987 tested |
| 2019 | Likely compliant1,064 tested |
| 2018 | Likely compliant1,120 tested |
| 2017 | Likely compliant1,249 tested |
| 2016 | Likely compliant1,148 tested |
| 2015 | Check exact car1,459 tested |
| 2014 | Check exact car1,326 tested |
| 2013 | Likely charged1,125 tested |
| 2012 | Likely charged1,148 tested |
| 2011 | Likely charged1,000 tested |
| 2010 | Likely charged1,055 tested |
| 2009 | Likely charged826 tested |
| 2008 | Likely charged1,131 tested |
| 2007 | Likely charged1,039 tested |
| 2006 | Likely charged885 tested |
| 2005 | Likely charged961 tested |
| 2004 | Likely charged1,050 tested |
| 2003 | Likely charged914 tested |
| 2002 | Likely charged886 tested |
| 2001 | Likely charged674 tested |
| 2000 | Likely charged380 tested |
| 1999 | Likely charged234 tested |
| 1998 | Likely charged232 tested |
| 1997 | Likely charged152 tested |
| 1996 | Likely charged59 tested |
How ULEZ rules apply to the Sprinter
Cars that miss the standard pay £12.50 for each day they're driven in the zone. Diesels need Euro 6 (most from September 2015).
- Diesel (100% of Sprinters tested): likely compliant from 2016; 2013 and earlier are likely to be charged.
Sprinters from 2014 and 2015 sit on the boundary (12% of those tested): some were built to the required standard before it became compulsory. The Euro standard is sometimes on the V5C logbook, or Mercedes-Benz can confirm it. Our ULEZ calculator can help.
Thinking of buying one? Check how Sprinters fare at the MOT too: see the Mercedes-Benz Sprinter MOT failure rate.
Buying a used Mercedes-Benz Sprinter for London: what the MOT data shows
The Mercedes-Benz Sprinters in this data were first registered between 1996 and 2022. 2015 was the most common year, with 1,459 tests (6% of the total), and half were registered in 2011 or later.
Sprinters from likely-compliant years passed their MOT first time 84% of the time, at an average of 88,222 miles. Older ones likely to be charged passed 65% of the time with 141,490 miles on average, so a compliant car is usually the more reliable buy as well as the cheaper one to drive in London.
On a budget, the oldest diesel Sprinters likely to comply are from 2016. 1,148 of them were tested; 2016 cars passed first time 77% of the time and averaged 116,203 miles. Check the Euro standard on the V5C before you buy one from around then.
Whichever year you choose, check the Sprinter's weak spots. The most common MOT failures were lights and electrics: "not working" (7.6% of tests); brakes: "efficiency below requirements" (5.3%); visibility: "does not clear the windscreen effectively" (2.8%). The most frequent advisory was "excessively corroded", on 13.4% of tests.
Overall, 71% of Sprinters passed first time, roughly in line with the 71% average for all cars, and they had covered 127,084 miles on average, more than the 73,145-mile average.
ULEZ compliance for other models
Other Mercedes-Benz models
About this data
Based on 22,641 first MOT tests of the Mercedes-Benz Sprinter carried out in 2023.
Source: DVSA anonymised MOT test data (contains public sector information licensed under the Open Government Licence v3.0). First attempts on cars only; “pass rate” means passing first time. Averages cover all 32,735,164 cars tested (71% passed), and years with under 50 tests are hidden.
ULEZ results are estimates from fuel type and year of first registration. Transport for London makes the final decision.
Learn more about how our data works.
Frequently asked questions
What 22,641 MOT tests say about the Mercedes-Benz Sprinter and London's ULEZ.
Is the Mercedes-Benz Sprinter ULEZ compliant?
In our data about 27% of Sprinters on the road are likely compliant and 61% likely to be charged. Diesels need Euro 6 (most from September 2015).
Is a diesel Sprinter ULEZ compliant?
Only if it meets Euro 6, which generally means first registered from September 2015. Diesel Sprinters from 2013 or earlier are likely to be charged.
How can I check if a specific Sprinter is ULEZ compliant?
Enter its registration in our free ULEZ check, which uses the vehicle's DVLA record. Always confirm with TfL before relying on it.
Related guides
- ULEZ · 6 min readULEZ explained: which cars are compliant and what it costsSince August 2023 the ULEZ covers every London borough. Which cars comply, what the daily charge costs if yours doesn't, and what you can do about it.Read the guide
- MOT · 6 min readPre-MOT checklist: 20 things to check yourself before the testTwenty quick checks, grouped by area, that you can do on your driveway in under half an hour. No tools beyond a coin and a helper needed for most.Read the guide
- Buying a used car · 5 min readUsed car buying checklist: 25 checks before you payA step-by-step checklist for buying a used car, from the checks you can do at home to what to look at on the day and the paperwork you need.Read the guide
Is your Sprinter ULEZ compliant?
Enter the registration for a check based on that car's own DVLA record.