Known APK problem

Mercedes-Benz Sprinter: steering

On the Mercedes-Benz Sprinter the APK inspector finds steering problems 21.9× as often as on cars of the same age: at 7–8 years 5.4%, against about 0.2% nationally.

Window: Oct 2025 – Sep 2026 · Updated: 16 Oct 2026

What is it?

Play or leaks in the steering rack, tie rods or power steering.

Repair indication: largea substantial repair; have a garage look first.

How to check it at the viewing

Turn the wheel while stationary: no play, knocking or heavy spot. On the test drive the car should keep running straight.

Ask the seller: Has any work been done on the steering rack or tie rod ends?

By age

Share of inspected Mercedes-Benz Sprinters with this defect, compared with all cars of the same age.

Age	Type	Sprinter	95%-CI	National	Difference	n
5 – 6 years	A	1.2%	0.8 – 1.7%	0.1%	9.7×	2,332
7 – 8 years	A	5.4%	4.4 – 6.6%	0.2%	21.9×	1,605
9 – 10 years	A	5.3%	4.2 – 6.7%	0.4%	14.7×	1,219
9 – 10 years	B	0.6%	0.3 – 1.2%	0.9%	0.7×	1,219
11 – 12 years	A	4.8%	3.6 – 6.4%	0.7%	6.4×	892
13 – 15 years	A	4.5%	3.4 – 5.9%	1.2%	3.7×	1,091
13 – 15 years	B	0.5%	0.3 – 1.2%	1.0%	0.5×	1,091
16+ years	A	4.1%	2.9 – 5.9%	1.6%	2.5×	682

A = structure, safety or costly mechanics; B = fail, usually simple; C = advisory. An age is missing when this defect is not among the most common there.

Comparable cars at 7–8 years

Model	Steering	Vs. national
Mercedes-Benz Sprinter	5.4%	21.9×
Dacia Logan	0.2%	0.9×

Looking at a Mercedes-Benz Sprinter? Check that car

Enter the plate and see the APK history, open recalls and how this car compares with other Mercedes-Benz Sprinters of the same age.

All weak spots of the Mercedes-Benz Sprinter · Steering: which models more often · Checklist for this model

Frequently asked questions

Does the Mercedes-Benz Sprinter often have steering problems?

Yes, more often than average at the APK. At 7–8 years the inspector found a steering defect on 5.4% of inspected Mercedes-Benz Sprinters, against about 0.2% of all cars of the same age (21.9×). Source: RDW Open Data, Oct 2025 – Sep 2026.

How do you check the steering on a used Mercedes-Benz Sprinter?

Turn the wheel while stationary: no play, knocking or heavy spot. On the test drive the car should keep running straight.

Repair indication: small, medium or large. An indication of the usual repair, not a quote: the real cost depends on the car, the cause and the garage.

Source: RDW Open Data (CC0), analysis CarXray.nl. 6,857,004 inspected passenger cars aged 3 years and older, Oct 2025 – Sep 2026. Each car counts once. How we know