Used Mercedes-Benz Sprinter Shock Absorber

These sit in different generations — the first modern Sprinter (W903) ran from 1995 to 2006, while the second generation (W906) ran from 2006 to 2018, so a 2006 unit could be from either side of that boundary depending on build date. Parts from within the same W906 generation are more likely to interchange, but crossing from a W903 to a W906 is a different matter entirely. Confirm the exact generation against your registration with the breaker before ordering.

Yes, this is one of the most important things to check on a Sprinter — the running gear, including shock absorbers, varies with the van's payload and gross vehicle weight rating, not just the model name. A 3.5-tonne Sprinter and a 5-tonne Sprinter of the same year can have meaningfully different suspension components. Check the plate on your van for the exact GVW rating and give that figure to the breaker so they can match accordingly.

Yes, always specify NS (nearside, driver's left as you sit in the van) or OS (offside, driver's right) when asking for a Sprinter shock absorber, as front units in particular are handed. Rears may be interchangeable side to side on some configurations, but it is safer to confirm with the breaker rather than assume. Getting the side wrong is one of the most common ordering mistakes on running-gear parts.

Engine size can influence the suspension specification on the Sprinter, as heavier or more powerful drivetrains are sometimes paired with uprated dampers from the factory. A 2.2 CDI and a 3.0 CDI may share the same shock absorber, but this is not guaranteed. Give the breaker your full registration and engine code so they can check the exact specification rather than guessing by displacement alone.

The Sprinter's trim levels, such as Standard, Progressive, and Luxury, relate to interior and comfort equipment rather than suspension hardware, so trim alone does not determine which shock absorber you need. What matters far more is the generation (your 2013 van is a W906, built 2006–2018), the GVW rating, and whether it is a front or rear unit. You may find cosmetic differences between donor vans from different trims, but the shock absorber itself should be chosen on weight rating and axle position, not trim name.

The W906 generation ran through to 2018, when Mercedes moved to the current W907/VS30 generation, so a 2017 unit is a W906 and a 2019 unit is a W907 — these sit either side of a significant platform change. It is quite possible the components differ between these generations, and Findapart would strongly advise against assuming they cross over. Confirm the generation and part number with the breaker against both registrations before purchasing.