Mercedes Benz SPRINTER

The type number follows a fixed pattern: the first digit gives the weight class (2 = up to 2.8/3.0 t, 3 = 3.5 t, 4 = 4.0 to 4.6 t, 5 = 5.0 t, recorded in registrations as 3.55, 3.88 or 4.20 t), the next two roughly the output in tens of hp – a 313 CDI has about 130, a 519 CDI about 190 hp. CDI stands for common-rail diesel, NGT for natural gas, 4x4 for all-wheel drive, KA or Kasten for the panel van, DoKa for the crew cab. In the register values run from 65 to 140 kW, 1,796 to 3,498 cm³ with four to six cylinders, 2,090 to 5,049 kg unladen, 3,500 to 7,490 kg gross and 5,240 to 9,900 mm long.

The span up to 7.49 t and almost ten metres explains why the Sprinter sits among the trucks in the register: chassis with box bodies, refrigerated boxes, minibuses and motorhomes use the 5 t class to the full.

On used examples, rust at doors, wheel arches and frame on the first two generations, injectors and EGR on the OM 651, and service records matching the mileage on courier vehicles are what count.