Second Hand Mercedes-Benz Vito Air Filter

The Vito has run across three main generations: the W638 (1996–2003), the W639 (2003–2014), and the W447 (2014–present), and air filters are not shared across these generations due to significant engine family changes between them. Within a generation, fitment is driven primarily by engine code rather than the model year alone, so a filter from the same generation can often cross over provided the engine code matches. If your vehicle sits near a generation boundary — for example, a 2013 or 2014 plate — confirm the exact generation and engine code with the breaker against your registration before buying.

The engine code matters above everything else — two Vitos from the same year can have completely different air filter housings and filter elements if they carry different engines, such as a 2.1-litre CDI versus a 1.6-litre CDI in the W447 generation. The year gives the breaker a useful starting point, but the engine code (found on your V5 or via a VIN check) is what actually determines which filter is correct. Always supply the engine code when requesting a quote from a breaker.

Yes, fuel type matters significantly — diesel CDI engines and petrol engines use different air filter assemblies with different filter element shapes and housing designs, so a diesel Vito's filter will not fit a petrol Vito even within the same generation. The vast majority of Vitos sold in the UK are diesel, but petrol variants have been available, particularly in the W639 and W447 generations. Always confirm fuel type and engine code with the breaker when requesting a quote.

In most cases the gearbox type does not directly affect the air filter itself, as the filter sits within the engine's intake system which is common to both manual and automatic variants sharing the same engine. However, if the engine code differs between the manual and automatic versions — which can happen as certain engines were paired exclusively with specific gearboxes — the filter may not match. Confirm the engine code with the breaker rather than relying on gearbox type alone.

Trim level does not affect air filter fitment — whether your van is a base Vito, a Vito Pro, or a Vito Tourer, the air filter is determined entirely by the engine fitted, not the trim designation. The Tourer, Pro, and base variants can share the same engine codes, meaning the same filter applies across them. Bear in mind that used filters may show cosmetic differences such as age-related staining, but this does not affect whether they will fit.

A 2013 Vito sits in the W639 generation, while a 2015 Vito falls in the W447 generation, and these two generations use different engine families with different air filter assemblies, so they are not expected to be interchangeable. Even if both vans appear to have a similarly badged engine displacement, the underlying engine architecture and intake design changed with the new generation. Confirm the exact engine code for your 2013 van with the breaker, who can check what W639-generation stock they hold against your registration.