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Mercedes-Benz Vito: OM651 timing chain stretch and rattle (W447)

OM651 timing chain stretch and rattle (W447) is a common engine fault on the Mercedes-Benz Vito on the 2015 onward cars, and we rate it major. Putting it right costs ≈A$2,300 to ≈A$4,600 at independent workshop rates, shown as an approximate guide in Australian dollars. Below is what goes wrong, the symptoms to notice on a test drive, where to look, and what to ask the seller before you hand over any money. It is one of 16 documented faults on the Mercedes-Benz Vito.

Vehicle
Mercedes-Benz Vito
Engine
2.1L
Years
2015 onward
Fuel
diesel
System
Engine

This page covers the Mercedes-Benz Vito as a model. Some faults only affect particular engines or build years — enter a plate below to narrow the list to one car.

All Mercedes-Benz Vito faults16 documented faults on this model

What you are looking at

The front of a dual overhead camshaft engine with the timing cover removed, exposing the timing chain and sprockets.Example of the part — not this vehicle

The front of a twin-cam engine with the timing cover off — chain, sprockets and guides.

Logansenf · CC BY-SA 4.0 · Wikimedia Commons

What goes wrong

The current W447 Vito/Valente's 1.7 and 2.1 OM651 diesels stretch the timing chain and wear the guides, often from around 120,000-150,000 km and sooner on hard urban delivery use. The chain sits at the back (transmission side) of the engine and rattles on cold start when worn; because it also drives the fuel pump, a slipped chain can cause major damage. A rattly cold start on a high-km van means budget for a chain kit.

What you would notice

  • Rattle on cold start or after an oil change
  • Rough running or misfire
  • Camshaft/crankshaft correlation codes
  • Loss of power / limp mode

How to check it

Where to look. Timing chain at the rear (transmission) side of the engine

Arrange a genuine cold start - van not run that morning - and listen at the rear of the engine (bellhousing side) for a rattle. Ask whether the chain has been done and at what kilometres, and get correlation codes scanned on high-km ex-fleet vans.

Parts involved: Timing chain.

What it costs to put right

≈A$2,300 to ≈A$4,600 at independent workshop rates, shown as an approximate guide in Australian dollars. That is for this job on its own, not for the car.

An estimate, converted to Australian dollars, for the repair as normally carried out. What a specific car costs depends on which part has failed and what it damaged on the way — treat this as the floor for a negotiation, not a quote.

Ask the seller

  • “Has the timing chain been replaced, and at what kilometres?”
  • “Any rattle on the first cold start?”

Now check the Mercedes-Benz Vito you are actually looking at

Everything above is true of the model, and it is free. What it does not tell you is whether THIS car still has money owing on it, has been written off or reported stolen, what kms it showed in past sale ads, whether it has had accident repair claims and what it is worth today. That comes from the official records for that plate. Enter the plate and its state for the A$17.90 Vehicle Check, or the full history from A$24.99.

Where this comes from

The failure described above is documented in the sources below. The inspection instructions and the cost estimate are KickTyres’ own interpretation of them.

  • MBClub UK 'OM651 timing chain' threads
  • en.mercedesassistance.com OM651 engine workshop guide

Mercedes-Benz Vito buyer questions

Is om651 timing chain stretch and rattle (w447) serious on a Mercedes-Benz Vito?

We rate it major and common on the Mercedes-Benz Vito. The current W447 Vito/Valente's 1.7 and 2.1 OM651 diesels stretch the timing chain and wear the guides, often from around 120,000-150,000 km and sooner on hard urban delivery use. The chain sits at the back (transmission side) of the engine and rattles on cold start when worn; because it also drives the fuel pump, a slipped chain can cause major damage. A rattly cold start on a high-km van means budget for a chain kit.

How much does it cost to fix on a Mercedes-Benz Vito?

≈A$2,300 to ≈A$4,600 at independent workshop rates, shown as an approximate guide in Australian dollars. That figure is for this job on its own. A car showing the symptoms on this page is usually worth either walking away from or negotiating down by at least the repair figure.

Which Mercedes-Benz Vito years are affected?

Our research records this fault on the 2015 onward Mercedes-Benz Vito. Build dates move around, especially on imported cars, so treat the range as the years to look hardest at rather than a guarantee either way. The official records tell you the exact build and first registration date for the car in front of you.

How do I check for it before I buy?

Arrange a genuine cold start - van not run that morning - and listen at the rear of the engine (bellhousing side) for a rattle. Ask whether the chain has been done and at what kilometres, and get correlation codes scanned on high-km ex-fleet vans. Look here: Timing chain at the rear (transmission) side of the engine