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Vauxhall Meriva reliability by build year

Coverage 2003-20172 named generationsMPVMPVDIESEL / PETROL
At a glance

Vauxhall Meriva built around 2018: about average at the MOT

Vauxhall Merivas built around 2018 fail their MOT about as often as similar cars the same age.

Check a Vauxhall Meriva by number plate

Key figure

20% of MOT tests on Vauxhall Merivas built around 2018 ended in a fail (retests included), against 22% for similar cars the same age.

Most common issue

The most common MOT issue on Vauxhall Merivas built around 2018 involves the tyres.

Before you view it

What to check before viewing

The Vauxhall Meriva's most common MOT issues, turned into things to ask about or look for.

Brake pads

High priority

Ask when the pads were last replaced and check the warning-light history.

Brake discs

High priority

Ask for the date and mileage of the last disc replacement; visually check for a deep wear lip and rust pitting on each disc.

Tyres

Worth checking

Check tread depth across the full width on all four; uneven wear suggests alignment or suspension issues.

Suspension springs

Worth checking

Check ride height is even side-to-side and look for cracked or rusted coils.

Vehicle-specific check

Worth checking

Check the car’s number plate on MOT Wise to see its own MOT history and any recalls for its build years.

By build year

How build years differ

Fail rates have been steady over the last three years. Use the build-year guide below to separate newer build years from older ones.

Find your Meriva's generation

Each card below is a different generation. Select your year and we'll highlight the match.

Meriva Mk2 (B)

Mk2 (B) (2010-2017)

Too close to call between ratings
PETROLDIESEL

21.9% fail rate, built around 2017 (8 years old)

Fails more often than the average car this age (about 1 in 5 MOTs, 18.7%)

From 7,449 MOT tests at this ageView details →
Meriva Mk1 (A)

Mk1 (A) (2003-2009)

Too close to call between ratings
PETROLDIESEL

35.4% fail rate, built around 2008 (17 years old)

Fails more often than the average car this age (about 3 in 10 MOTs, 31.2%)

From 5,943 MOT tests at this ageView details →

Not sure which one you're looking at?

Match your build year to its generation, then see the fail rates for those build years of the Vauxhall Meriva.

See every build year for the Vauxhall Meriva

Side-by-side

Vauxhall Meriva generations compared

Each generation is shown at 7 years old if it has at least 100 MOT tests at that age. If not, or if its cars are too new to be 7, it's shown at another age. We try ages close to 7 first. Newer generations have fewer years of data.

GenerationRatingFail rate
Mk2 (B) (2010-2017)
No ratingToo close to call between ratings
No ratingToo close to call between ratings21.9%built around 2017 (8 years old)from 7,449 MOT tests at this age
Mk1 (A) (2003-2009)
No ratingToo close to call between ratings
No ratingToo close to call between ratings35.4%built around 2008 (17 years old)from 5,943 MOT tests at this age

Each row is one generation of the Meriva, shown at the age printed under its fail rate. So rows can be different ages. Fail rate is the share of MOT tests that ended in a fail, retests included. A rating is given only when there are enough tests to place the fail rate in one rating band with 95% confidence.

By age

Vauxhall Meriva fail rate by age

This chart combines every Vauxhall Meriva ever sold. It's good for the big picture. For one generation, scroll up to the build-year cards.

Below typicalAbove typicalHigh (28% or more)Highest fail rate
Age / builtFail rateMOT tests
7 yearsbuilt around 2018
1,67620.0%
8 yearsbuilt around 2017
7,44921.9%
9 yearsbuilt around 2016
9,12022.9%
10 yearsbuilt around 2015
10,45424.4%
11 yearsbuilt around 2014
9,87126.1%
12 yearsbuilt around 2013
10,66726.8%
13 yearsbuilt around 2012
13,14526.9%
14 yearsbuilt around 2011
15,62128.9%
15 yearsbuilt around 2010
9,28733.4%
16 yearsbuilt around 2009
5,38834.4%
17 yearsbuilt around 2008
5,94335.4%
18 yearsbuilt around 2007
4,76335.4%
19 yearsbuilt around 2006
3,55036.3%
20 yearsbuilt around 2005
2,19336.7%
21 yearsbuilt around 2004
1,16534.9%
22 yearsbuilt around 2003
14734.0%

Fail rate is the share of MOT tests that ended in a fail. Retests count as tests. How we count fail rates Build years are worked out from age, so they are approximate. Tests counted are 2025 MOTs. Highest fail rate at 20 years old.

Where it ranks

Where the Vauxhall Meriva stacks up

Three ways to compare the same cars, built around 2018 (7 years old). The fail rate is the share of MOT tests that ended in a fail. Retests count as tests, and 1st has the lowest fail rate. Only models with at least 500 MOT tests at this age are ranked. How we count fail rates

Against other Vauxhall models

5th of 10

5th lowest fail rate of 10 Vauxhall models with enough MOT tests to rank, at this age.

In the middle third

Against other people carriers

16th of 33

16th lowest fail rate of 33 people carriers with enough MOT tests to rank, at this age.

In the middle third

Against the UK average

20.0%

The share of this model's MOT tests at this age that ended in a fail.

Fails more often than the average car this age (about 1 in 6 MOTs, 16.6%)

All generations of this model

What goes wrong most often on 7-year-old Vauxhall Merivas

These issues come from 7-year-old Vauxhall Merivas, every generation combined.

All generations of this modelEnough data

Most common advisories and fails

In order of the share of MOT tests that recorded each one

  1. 1
    Advisory

    Tyre slightly damaged, cracking or perishing

    17.2%
    Advisory: 449Fail: 38 (8% of the times it was found)
  2. 2
    Advisory

    Tyre worn close to the legal limit or worn on the edge

    11.9%
    Advisory: 282Fail: 23 (8% of the times it was found)
  3. 3
    Advisory

    Coil spring corroded

    10.3%
    Advisory: 65Fail: 138 (68% of the times it was found)
  4. 4
    Advisory

    Brake pads wearing thin

    8.5%
    Advisory: 161Fail: 33 (17% of the times it was found)
  5. 5
    Advisory

    Brake disc worn, pitted or scored, but not seriously weakened

    6.2%
    Advisory: 141Fail: 5 (3% of the times it was found)

Based on 1,676 MOT tests on 7-year-old Vauxhall Merivas, every generation combined.

All generations of this model

Issues that often appear together

The pairs seen most often when an MOT on 7-year-old Vauxhall Merivas notes problems with more than one part of the car.

Issues that often appear together on this model

All generations of this modelEnough data
  1. Brakes + Tyres28%
  2. Suspension + Tyres20%
  3. Brakes + Suspension16%
  4. Other + Tyres15%

Both were noted at the same test. That doesn't mean one caused the other.

Across 454 MOT tests on Vauxhall Meriva cars built around 2018 (7 years old) where more than one part of the car was noted.

Still registered

How many are still registered, and recalls

How many of these are still registered in the UK, and what's been recalled across the model.

How many are still registered

94%of this model's cars first registered in 2014 to 2015 were still registered 10 years later

UK average for cars first registered in 2014 to 2015: 92% · About typical

The share still registered can reflect demand, the cost of repairs, exports, write-offs and how owners use the car. It isn't proof of how long the car lasts mechanically.

Source: DfT vehicle licensing statistics (VEH0124).

Recall context

10 recalls in all

All 10 Vauxhall Meriva recalls cover cars built in these years.

  • 3 Critical
  • 7 more

Top concerns

  • Front seat side airbag may deploy incorrectly
  • Front passenger airbag may not deploy as intended
  • Airbag deployment could injure front seat passenger

For the exact car, check GOV.UK's recall checker with the number plate.

Like-for-like

Other people carriers to compare

Other people carriers to compare

  1. 1

    Kia Venga

    Same body type, tested at the same age

    Fail rate
    11.8%
    Fail, no pass in 3 days
    0.7%
    Dangerous
    3.3%
    Still registered at 10 years
    96.8%

    Lower fail rate: 11.8%, against 20.0% for the Vauxhall Meriva, both built around 2018.

    5,255 MOT tests on cars built around 2018

  2. 2

    Toyota Estima

    Same body type, tested at the same age

    Fail rate
    17.7%

    Lower fail rate: 17.7%, against 20.0% for the Vauxhall Meriva, both built around 2018.

    Some figures could not be compared for these two cars. So this comparison uses the fail rate and recalls only.

    1,057 MOT tests on cars built around 2018

  3. 3

    Hyundai ix20

    Same body type, tested at the same age

    Fail rate
    12.5%
    Fail, no pass in 3 days
    1%
    Dangerous
    4.5%
    Still registered at 10 years
    95.4%

    Lower fail rate: 12.5%, against 20.0% for the Vauxhall Meriva, both built around 2018.

    3,239 MOT tests on cars built around 2018

  4. 4

    Ford Tourneo

    Same body type, tested at the same age

    Fail rate
    21.4%
    Still registered at 10 years
    89.2%

    No clear edge over the Vauxhall Meriva on these figures.

    Some figures could not be compared for these two cars. So this comparison uses the fail rate, share still registered and recalls only.

    3,550 MOT tests on cars built around 2018

Fail rate
= the share of MOT tests that ended in a fail. Retests count as tests.
Fail, no pass in 3 days
= the share of MOT tests that failed and still hadn't passed 3 days later. A fail that passed a retest within 3 days, even the same day, isn't counted.
Dangerous
= the share of MOT tests where the tester marked a fault as dangerous. It is against the law to drive the car until it is fixed.
Still registered at 10 years
= the share of cars still registered (taxed or declared off the road) 10 years after they were first registered.

Common questions

Frequently asked questions

Built around 2018 (7 years old), the Vauxhall Meriva across all generations combined fails MOTs noticeably more often than typical for this age. It has the 5th lowest fail rate of 10 Vauxhall models with enough MOT tests to rank, at this age. This is based on 1,676 7-year-old MOT tests from DVSA data. Each retest counts as a test.

These figures come from DVSA's MOT records. Across every Vauxhall Meriva ever sold: 110,439 tests. The main figures are for cars built around 2018 (7 years old): 1,676 tests. They are a guide, not a guarantee. Always inspect the car or have a mechanic check it.