Mercedes-Benz is a motoring brand known worldwide for its luxury and quality.
While the standard and craftsmanship of Mercedes vehicles is undoubtedly high, what about the insurance costs?
In this guide, we take a close look at the different Mercedes van insurance groups, helping you to make the right choice for your budget.
What are van insurance groups?
Every van in the UK is categorised into a specific insurance group. Generally speaking, the lower the van insurance group, the lower the cost of your business van insurance.
Insurance groups for vans in the UK are categorised from 1 to 20 for older vehicles, and 21 to 50 for those registered after 2016.
The Association of British Insurers (ABI) sets these insurance groups to determine van insurance costs based on various factors.
When you’re deciding to buy a van or a car, the insurance group it falls into can really affect the cost of your cover.
Here are a few of the most popular Mercedes-Benz van models and their insurance groups.
Mercedes-Benz Citan
Image taken from Mercedes-Benz Citan product page
Known for its compact size and efficiency, the Mercedes Citan typically falls into insurance groups 5–7 for older models, or groups 27–31 for models registered after 2016.
This mid–low insurance group rating can mean slightly more affordable insurance costs compared with the larger van models.
Mercedes-Benz Sprinter
Image taken from Mercedes-Benz Sprinter product page
When it comes to larger vans, the Mercedes Sprinter stands out. The increased size, weight and power make the Sprinter a workhorse for all sorts of driving and business use. However, these characteristics can also increase the insurance grouping.
Expect older models to fall somewhere between groups 5–18, and newer vans, registered after 2016, between groups 27–48.
Mercedes-Benz Vito
Image taken from Mercedes-Benz Vito product page
The Mercedes Vito, with its clever balance of size and power, sits somewhere in the middle.
This popular van usually falls into insurance groups 5–16 for models registered before 2016. For those registered from 2016 onwards, the groups span from 27–44.
Things that can influence Mercedes-Benz van insurance groups
There are a few things that can influence the insurance group of a Mercedes-Benz van:
- Engine power: Models with bigger engines, such as the Vito, are often in higher groups. This is due to their potential for higher speeds and risk of an accident.
- Size and weight: Larger vans, like the Sprinter, generally fall into higher insurance groups. This usually means higher insurance costs, too.
- Repair costs: Vans like the Citan, with its more affordable parts and lower repair costs, usually enjoy lower insurance groups.
- Security features: Better security can help to lower your insurance group.
The importance of subgroups
Mercedes-Benz vans come in various configurations, which can affect their insurance groups. For example, a short wheelbase version of a van will generally have lower insurance costs compared to a long wheelbase version.
You might also notice some letters and numbers after your insurance group (for example, E, A, T1 or T2). These subgroups indicate that a van has certain added features, or a specific way that it is used.
What is the cheapest Mercedes van to insure?
The Mercedes-Benz Citan, and smaller variants of the Vito, are likely to be among the cheapest Mercedes vans to insure. This is because they’re smaller, lighter and less expensive than larger models like the Sprinter.
It’s important to know that insurance costs are affected by more than just the insurance group. Things like your location, driving history, and previous motoring convictions can all impact how much you pay.
Be sure to get quotes from a few different insurers before choosing a policy. It’ll help you to buy insurance that’s right for you.
Are Mercedes vans reliable?
Mercedes-Benz vans are generally regarded as reliable, benefiting from Mercedes' reputation for quality engineering. Larger, more robust models like the Sprinter are especially known for their durability.
In any case, reliability can vary by model, and depends on regular maintenance and upkeep. By looking after your van and making sure it’s properly serviced, you can help to extend the lifetime and reliability of your vehicle.