Second Hand Mercedes-Benz Sprinter Ignition Barrel

Yes, the generation matters significantly for ignition barrel fitment on the Sprinter. The first-generation W901–W905 Sprinter ran from 1995 to 2006, and the second-generation W906 ran from 2006 to 2018, so a barrel from a pre-2006 van will not interchange with a post-2006 one. The third-generation W907 began in 2018 and uses a different design again, so always confirm the generation with your breaker against your registration before buying.

This question crosses the major generation boundary between the W905 (ending 2006) and the W906 (from 2006 onwards), so a 2005 barrel and a 2007 barrel come from entirely different generations of van. The steering column, lock housing, and barrel design changed substantially between these generations, making a straight swap very unlikely. Confirm with your breaker using both registrations before purchasing, as fitment across this boundary cannot be assumed.

The engine size and power output – which is what those 313 and 316 designations refer to – do not affect ignition barrel fitment. What matters is the generation of van: both must be W906 (2006–2018) or both W907 (2018–present) for a reasonable match. Confirm the exact year and any mid-generation running changes with your breaker against both registrations to be sure.

No, trim level does not affect ignition barrel fitment on the Sprinter – the barrel is determined by generation and steering column specification, not by whether the van is a base worker or a higher-spec panel van. You may find minor cosmetic differences in the surrounding trim or shroud plastic from different spec vehicles, but the barrel itself should be the same within the same generation. Confirm the year and generation with your breaker rather than worrying about trim designation.

Body length and body style (panel van, minibus, chassis cab, crew van) do not affect the ignition barrel, as this part sits in the steering column which is common across body variants within the same generation. A W906 panel van barrel should correspond to a W906 chassis cab barrel of the same era, for example. That said, confirm the specific year against your registration with your breaker, as there can be running production changes within a generation that affect compatibility.

This is worth checking carefully, as the steering column assembly – and therefore the ignition barrel housing – can differ between LHD and RHD vehicles depending on how the column is configured for each market. UK-market right-hand-drive Sprinters are relatively uncommon compared to European LHD vans, and some barrels sourced from continental dismantlers may not be a direct fit. Always tell your breaker whether your van is RHD and provide your registration so they can match accordingly.