Second Hand Mercedes-Benz Sprinter Oxygen Sensor

This is an important question: the vast majority of Sprinter vans sold in the UK run diesel engines, and diesel engines do not use traditional lambda (oxygen) sensors the way petrol engines do — instead they use NOx sensors, exhaust temperature sensors, and (on later models) sensors associated with the DPF and SCR systems. If your Sprinter is diesel, which almost all UK examples are, you almost certainly do not have a conventional oxygen sensor and should instead look for the specific sensor your fault code is pointing to, such as a NOx sensor or exhaust temperature sensor. Confirm with a breaker exactly which sensor you need and quote them your registration so they can match the correct part.

On diesel Sprinters the sensors you are most likely to need are an exhaust gas temperature (EGT) sensor, a NOx sensor (fitted to Euro 5 and Euro 6 models from around 2009 onwards), a lambda or oxygen sensor on the rare petrol-engined variant, or a DPF pressure differential sensor. The W906 generation (2006–2018) and the current W907 generation (2018–present) both introduced progressively more exhaust sensors as emissions standards tightened through Euro 4, Euro 5, and Euro 6. Quote your registration and engine code to a breaker so they can identify the exact sensor rather than guessing from a generic description.

Both years fall within the W906 generation (2006–2018), but this does not guarantee sensor compatibility because Euro 5 rules came into force for new vans around 2011 and Euro 6 began phasing in from around 2014–2016, meaning the exhaust aftertreatment systems — and their associated sensors — can differ significantly even within the same body generation. Engine code is also critical here, as the OM651 and older OM646 units have different sensor configurations. Give a breaker both registration numbers and they can check whether the specific sensor crosses that emissions boundary.

Trim or body style does not affect exhaust sensor fitment on the Sprinter — what matters is the engine code, the fuel type, and the emissions standard the vehicle was built to (Euro 4, 5, or 6). A Panel Van and a Minibus sharing the same engine and the same model year will use the same exhaust sensors regardless of their body configuration or specification level. Focus your search and any conversation with a breaker on your engine code and registration rather than the body variant.

The W906 (2006–2018) and W907 (2018–present) are distinct generations and the W907 was designed from the outset to meet Euro 6 standards, so its exhaust system and sensor layout are likely to differ from late Euro 6 W906 vehicles even where engine families overlap. Crossing the W906-to-W907 boundary is strong confirm-with-breaker territory — you should provide your exact registration and engine code to a breaker who can check part numbers before you commit to buying. Never assume a sensor will fit across a generation boundary on the basis of visual similarity alone.

Yes, petrol-engined Sprinters do use a conventional lambda (oxygen) sensor as part of their fuelling and emissions management, unlike the diesel variants which do not. Petrol Sprinters are rare in the UK, but if yours has a petrol engine you will need to match the sensor to your specific engine code and the emissions standard the vehicle was built to. Speak to a breaker with your registration and engine code to hand, as the petrol Sprinter is uncommon enough that confirming availability of a used sensor in advance is especially worthwhile.