Vauxhall Meriva common problems by mileage
What UK MOT testers flag on the Vauxhall Meriva at each age and mileage, compared with all cars.
In 100,548 UK MOT tests of the Vauxhall Meriva in 2023, the problem that most sets it apart from other cars is exhaust system (a minor leak of exhaust gases): recorded on 8.2% of tests of 2016–2018 cars at 80k–100k mi (129k–161k km), 16× the rate for all cars of that age and mileage. Other stand-out issues: coil spring (fractured or broken) (9.1×); shock absorbers (light misting of oil) (6.3×); suspension arm (corroded but not seriously weakened) (4.9×). The most common reasons a Vauxhall Meriva fails its MOT are coil spring (fractured or broken); position lamp (not working); joints (constant velocity boot split or insecure, no longer prevents the ingress of dirt).
Last updated: · Source: DVSA anonymised MOT data 2023
What stands out on the Vauxhall Meriva
Parts that MOT testers flag clearly more often on the Vauxhall Meriva than on all cars of the same age at the same mileage (at least 1.5× the rate and 3% of tests).
| Issue | Type | First used | Mileage | Share of tests | All cars this age | Ratio | Tests |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Exhaust system: has a minor leak of exhaust gases | Advisory | 2016–2018 | 80k–100k mi (129k–161k km) | 8.2% | 0.5% | 16× | 304 |
| Coil spring: fractured or broken | MOT fail | 2016–2018 | 20k–40k mi (32k–64k km) | 8.2% | 0.9% | 9.1× | 4,708 |
| Shock absorbers: has light misting of oil | Advisory | 2007–2009 | 60k–80k mi (97k–129k km) | 18% | 2.8% | 6.3× | 4,634 |
| Suspension arm: corroded but not seriously weakened | Advisory | 2011–2013 | 40k–60k mi (64k–97k km) | 4.9% | 1% | 4.9× | 7,450 |
| Malfunction indicator lamp: inoperative or indicates a malfunction | MOT fail | 2016–2018 | 60k–80k mi (97k–129k km) | 3.6% | 0.6% | 6× | 1,112 |
| Engine oil leaks: leak, but not excessive | Advisory | 2012–2014 | 60k–80k mi (97k–129k km) | 13% | 3% | 4.2× | 7,014 |
| Rigid brake pipes: corroded, covered in grease or other material | Advisory | 2007–2009 | 80k–100k mi (129k–161k km) | 28% | 7.7% | 3.7× | 4,704 |
| Joints: constant velocity boot split or insecure, no longer prevents the ingress of dirt | MOT fail | 2005–2007 | 60k–80k mi (97k–129k km) | 9.1% | 2.6% | 3.5× | 3,107 |
Vauxhall Meriva by mileage (2010–2012 cars)
The most-tested first-use years. For each mileage band: how many MOT tests, the most common item, and the item that stands out most against other cars.
| Mileage | Tests | Most common | Stands out |
|---|---|---|---|
| 20k–40k mi (32k–64k km) | 2,241 | Tyres (condition): slightly damaged/cracking or perishing (16%) | Suspension arm: corroded but not seriously weakened (5.5%, 4.6×) |
| 40k–60k mi (64k–97k km) | 6,787 | Tyres (condition): slightly damaged/cracking or perishing (14%) | Engine oil leaks: leak, but not excessive (9.1%, 2.9×) |
| 60k–80k mi (97k–129k km) | 10,314 | Tyres (tread depth): worn close to legal limit/worn on edge (18%) | Engine oil leaks: leak, but not excessive (15%, 3.1×) |
| 80k–100k mi (129k–161k km) | 9,165 | Tyres (tread depth): worn close to legal limit/worn on edge (20%) | Engine oil leaks: leak, but not excessive (19%, 3×) |
| 100k–120k mi (161k–193k km) | 4,901 | Tyres (tread depth): worn close to legal limit/worn on edge (23%) | Engine oil leaks: leak, but not excessive (22%, 3×) |
| 120k–140k mi (193k–225k km) | 1,885 | Tyres (tread depth): worn close to legal limit/worn on edge (24%) | Engine oil leaks: leak, but not excessive (24%, 2.9×) |
| 140k–160k mi (225k–257k km) | 582 | Tyres (tread depth): worn close to legal limit/worn on edge (26%) | Engine oil leaks: leak, but not excessive (23%, 2.5×) |
Vauxhall Meriva by first-use year
| First used | Tests | Biggest stand-out issue |
|---|---|---|
| 2003 | 511 | Shock absorbers: has light misting of oil at 120k–140k mi (193k–225k km) (4.8×) |
| 2004 | 2,358 | Shock absorbers: has light misting of oil at 120k–140k mi (193k–225k km) (3.8×) |
| 2005 | 3,131 | Coil spring: fractured or broken at 20k–40k mi (32k–64k km) (4.4×) |
| 2006 | 4,879 | Shock absorbers: has light misting of oil at 20k–40k mi (32k–64k km) (6.8×) |
| 2007 | 5,713 | Shock absorbers: has light misting of oil at 20k–40k mi (32k–64k km) (7×) |
| 2008 | 6,242 | Exhaust system: has a minor leak of exhaust gases at 20k–40k mi (32k–64k km) (6.5×) |
| 2009 | 6,091 | Exhaust system: has a minor leak of exhaust gases at 20k–40k mi (32k–64k km) (5.8×) |
| 2010 | 10,997 | Exhaust system: has a minor leak of exhaust gases at 20k–40k mi (32k–64k km) (4.2×) |
| 2011 | 15,904 | Suspension arm: corroded but not seriously weakened at 20k–40k mi (32k–64k km) (4.6×) |
| 2012 | 9,447 | Suspension arm: corroded but not seriously weakened at 20k–40k mi (32k–64k km) (5.4×) |
| 2013 | 8,076 | Coil spring: fractured or broken at 0k–20k mi (0k–32k km) (5.3×) |
| 2014 | 7,769 | Coil spring: fractured or broken at 0k–20k mi (0k–32k km) (5.1×) |
| 2015 | 8,336 | Exhaust system: has a minor leak of exhaust gases at 80k–100k mi (129k–161k km) (7.2×) |
| 2016 | 6,557 | Exhaust system: has a minor leak of exhaust gases at 80k–100k mi (129k–161k km) (11×) |
| 2017 | 4,509 | Exhaust system: has a minor leak of exhaust gases at 80k–100k mi (129k–161k km) (16×) |
How these numbers are made
From the DVSA anonymised MOT data for 2023: every normal MOT test of a car in Great Britain, with its mileage and every advisory and failure item. For each first-use year (pooled with the years either side) and 20,000-mile band we count the share of tests where a part was recorded, and compare it with the same share for every car of that age at that mileage. A cell is shown only with 300 or more tests. Advisories are tester notes, not failures. Figures describe UK-market cars; engines and equipment can differ in other countries.
Contains public sector information licensed under the Open Government Licence v3.0 (DVSA anonymised MOT data, 2023).
Frequently asked questions
What are the most common problems with the Vauxhall Meriva?
In 100,548 UK MOT tests of the Vauxhall Meriva in 2023, the problem that most sets it apart from other cars is exhaust system (a minor leak of exhaust gases): recorded on 8.2% of tests of 2016–2018 cars at 80k–100k mi (129k–161k km), 16× the rate for all cars of that age and mileage. Other stand-out issues: coil spring (fractured or broken) (9.1×); shock absorbers (light misting of oil) (6.3×); suspension arm (corroded but not seriously weakened) (4.9×). The most common reasons a Vauxhall Meriva fails its MOT are coil spring (fractured or broken); position lamp (not working); joints (constant velocity boot split or insecure, no longer prevents the ingress of dirt).
Why do Vauxhall Merivas fail the MOT?
Across 100,548 MOT tests in 2023, the most common failure items on the Vauxhall Meriva were coil spring (fractured or broken) (9.9% of tests); position lamp (not working) (11% of tests); joints (constant velocity boot split or insecure, no longer prevents the ingress of dirt) (9.8% of tests).
At what mileage do Vauxhall Meriva problems start?
The clearest Vauxhall Meriva-specific issue, exhaust system (a minor leak of exhaust gases), peaks against other cars at 80k–100k mi (129k–161k km) on 2016–2018 cars (8.2% of tests vs 0.5% for all cars that age).
Where does this Vauxhall Meriva data come from?
From the UK government's anonymised MOT test data (DVSA, 2023, Open Government Licence v3.0): 100,548 tests of the Vauxhall Meriva. VinSnap shows the same numbers for your own car's age and mileage in the app.