Vaneo 1.7 CDI Diesel Engines
from £450 to £1,400
Rebuilt units from £850 · Common codes: OM668 DE1.6 LA, A6680100107, OM668 75hp, OM668 90hp
Get quotes from trusted UK Mercedes Vaneo engine specialists. Compare reconditioned & used engines for 1.6 to 1.9 - M166 covered. Find the best value for your budget.
Vaneo 1.7 CDI Diesel Engines
from £450 to £1,400
Rebuilt units from £850 · Common codes: OM668 DE1.6 LA, A6680100107, OM668 75hp, OM668 90hp
Vaneo 1.6 Petrol Engines
from £450 to £1,200
Rebuilt units from £800 · Common codes: M166 E1.6, A1660100107, M166 E1.6 ML, M166 1.6L
Vaneo 1.9 Petrol Engines
from £500 to £1,500
Rebuilt units from £900 · Common codes: M166 E1.9, A1660100207, M166 E1.9 ML, M166 1.9L

Most replacements completed within 3-5 days.
The table shows typical UK rebuilt engine costs for Mercedes Benz Vaneo variants, with failure causes, chassis codes, engine codes, fuel types and sizes from current market data.


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Every engine code fitted to the Mercedes Benz Vaneo across all generations, with technical specs, compatible variants and trims, known failure points, and average rebuilt prices from UK specialists. Select any engine code to compare quotes.
Extracted from detailed diesel engine families across Mercedes Benz Vaneo variants.

OM668 DE1.6 LA - 1.7L Diesel
Main replacement triggers are timing chain wear, EGR / cooling faults and turbo-control issues.
Compatible variants
Avg. rebuilt price
£950 - £1,550
Supply only
Technical specifications
Common failures
Not sure which engine code?
Can’t find your engine code- Enter your registration number above - we’ll instantly identify the exact unit, its technical specifications, and live replacement prices from UK Mercedes Benz Vaneo engine specialists. Every rebuilt engine comes with a minimum 12-month unlimited mileage warranty.

The Mercedes Benz Vaneo (2001-2005) relies on compact, transverse-mounted M166 petrol and OM668 CDI diesel engines that share architecture with the W168 A-Class. While generally robust for their era, the M166’s timing chain tensioner and oil management, alongside the OM668’s EGR and turbo systems, represent the most prominent failure points that drive...
Mercedes Benz Vaneo Timing Chain Failure
Most affected vehicles
Mercedes Benz Vaneo 1.6 Trend, 1.6 Ambiente, 1.6 Family, 1.9 Avantgarde (2001-2005, M166 E1.6 & M166 E1.9)
Failure mileage range
80,000 - 110,000 miles
Typical failure window
Root cause
The factory-fitted plastic timing chain tensioner loses hydraulic pressure over time due to inadequate oil flow and heat degradation, allowing the chain to slacken.
Repair options & estimated costs (UK ranges)
| Repair tier | Dealer price | Specialist price | What it involves | Longevity / suitability |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Minor - Preventative Tensioner & Chain Replacement | £1,600 - £2,200 | £650 - £950 | Removal of timing cover, installation of updated metal tensioner kit and reinforced chain guides | Highly effective only if caught before chain jump; extends engine life by 60,000+ miles |
| Full Replacement - Rebuilt / Reconditioned Mercedes Benz Vaneo Engine | £3,800 - £4,600 | £1,200 - £1,650 | Supply & fit of bench-tested rebuilt M166 unit with upgraded tensioner, new seals, and 12-month warranty | Best value if chain has already jumped or caused valve/piston damage; eliminates future tensioner risk entirely |
Our recommendation
On a Mercedes Benz Vaneo worth £800-£1,500, we always advise catching the cold-start rattle early and fitting the updated tensioner kit. However, if the chain has skipped teeth or oil pressure damage has occurred, a full rebuilt unit is far more economical and reliable than attempting an internal block salvage.
Compare rebuilt M166 engine prices for your Mercedes Benz Vaneo
Every engine type is available through our UK network with typical price ranges based on your specific variant, engine code and budget requirements.
Compare Mercedes Benz Vaneo engine prices with vetted UK suppliers
All engine types include a minimum 12-month unlimited mileage warranty when sourced through EngineMarket. Prices are typical UK market ranges based on historical quote data from our network and depend on exact engine code, variant, mileage and supplier. Use our free comparison tool above - enter your registration to get tailored quotes for your specific Mercedes Benz Vaneo within hours.

Every engine displacement fitted to the Mercedes Benz Vaneo across its UK production run is listed below, complete with matching engine codes, variant years and documented failure notes.
Serving as the sole diesel option throughout the W168-derived Vaneo's production run, the 1.7-litre unit was engineered specifically for urban commercial and family use. Its compact common-rail architecture delivers strong low-end torque while maintaining competitive fuel economy for a lightweight MPV and van hybrid. Prolonged stop-start driving often accelerates carbon buildup in the intake and emissions systems, making thorough pre-purchase inspection essential.
Engine Code(s)
OM668 DE1.6 LA
Compatible Models (UK)
1.7 CDI Trend (2001-2005), 1.7 CDI Ambiente (2001-2005), 1.7 CDI Commercial (2001-2005), 1.7 CDI Family
Power output
Verified by registration
Common Failure Points
EGR valve clogging causing restricted airflow, turbo actuator diaphragm degradation, Bosch injector nozzle coking at higher mileage
Production Years: 2001-2005
Get quotes for Mercedes Benz Vaneo 1.7L diesel engines
The sole diesel option throughout the Vaneo's 2001-2005 UK production, the 1.7-litre OM668 CDI delivers strong low-end torque for commercial and family MPV duties while maintaining competitive fuel economy.
Common Mercedes Benz Vaneo Diesel Engine Families
Found In
Known For
Typical Diesel Models
The sole diesel option throughout the Vaneo's 2001-2005 UK production, the 1.7-litre OM668 CDI delivers strong low-end torque for commercial and family MPV duties while maintaining competitive fuel economy.
Common Mercedes Benz Vaneo Diesel Engine Families
Found In
Known For
Typical Diesel Models
Two aluminium-block petrol units served the Vaneo range - the entry-level 1.6L and higher-output 1.9L - both sharing transverse architecture with the W168 A-Class and prioritising smooth urban running.
Common Mercedes Benz Vaneo Petrol Engine Families
Found In
Known For
Typical Petrol Models
Not sure which fuel type your Mercedes Benz Vaneo has- Enter your registration number above to instantly identify your engine code, fuel system and compatible replacement options - all backed by a minimum 12-month unlimited mileage warranty from UK Mercedes Benz Vaneo specialists.

This section covers all Mercedes Benz Vaneo engine changes across its 2001-2005 UK production run, organised so owners can quickly identify their engine and compare rebuilt engine prices from UK specialists.
⚙Key Changes
▣Main Engines
M166E1.6 - 1.6L petrol (1.6 Trend / 1.6 Ambiente)
M166E1.9 - 1.9L petrol (1.9 Trend / 1.9 Avantgarde)
OM668DE1.6 LA - 1.7L diesel (1.7 CDI Trend / 1.7 CDI Commercial)
▰Popular Models
🔧Known For
Engine Codes Covered:
M166 E1.6M166 E1.9OM668 DE1.6 LA