Reconditioned Mercedes Vito 2.2 CDI Gearbox

Vito 2.2 CDI: three engine codes, two gearbox families, fifteen years apart – don't mix them up

The Vito 2.2 CDI is first and foremost a working van built for heavy daily use – regular rounds, repeated loading, towing. That kind of use puts very different demands on a gearbox than a saloon car: the 1st- and 2nd-gear synchromesh rings, selector forks and input bearings all take a hammering at low revs under full load. When a gearbox gives up on a working Vito, replacement is often urgent and choosing the right reference is critical.

OM611, OM646, OM651: the engine code determines everything

Over the 1999–2014 period, the Vito 2.2 CDI received three successive and distinct engine blocks: OM611, OM646 and OM651. Each engine generation has its own bellhousing, shafts and gear ratios. A gearbox from an OM646 will not fit an OM611 mechanically, even though the engine capacity is the same. The engine code, found on the engine plate, is therefore the first thing to check before placing any order.

5-speed or 6-speed manual: two families depending on the model year

The gearboxes available across this range are exclusively manual: a 5-speed on the earliest versions (OM611), and a 6-speed on the OM646 and OM651 generations. The references featured in this collection – including 711680, 716652, 716637, 711698 and 711651 – cover both families. Cross-referencing the engine code with the original number of gears remains the only reliable way to confirm exact compatibility before selecting a reference.