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Vauxhall Meriva Mk1 (A) (2003-2009) reliability

At a glance

Vauxhall Meriva Mk1 (A) built around 2008: about average at the MOT

Vauxhall Meriva Mk1 (A) models built around 2008 fail their MOT about as often as similar cars the same age. An independent inspection matters more than the wider numbers on cars this old.

Looking at a Vauxhall Meriva Mk1 (A) right now?

Enter its number plate to see its full MOT history, risk rating and running costs.

Key figure

35% of MOT tests on Vauxhall Meriva Mk1 (A) models built around 2008 ended in a fail (retests included), against 32% for similar cars the same age.

Most common issue

The most common MOT issue on Vauxhall Meriva Mk1 (A) models built around 2008 involves the brakes.

Vauxhall Meriva Mk1 (A)
No reliability rating: too close to call between ratings2003-2009MPVPETROL / DIESEL

Based on 26,418 tests of Meriva models registered 2003-2009.

About 1 in 12 Meriva Mk1 (A) MOTs (9%) failed and still hadn't passed 3 days later. That's for cars built around 2008 (17 years old), all fuels combined.

Based on 5,943 tests (DVSA MOT results, 2025). A fail that passed a retest within 3 days, even the same day, isn't counted. Nor is a fail with no later MOT on record.

About 1 in 12 Meriva Mk1 (A) MOTs (9.1%) found at least one dangerous defect. These are cars built around 2008 (17 years old).

Based on 5,943 tests (DVSA MOT results, 2025). Dangerous is the most serious grade an MOT gives: a direct risk to road safety.

Mk1 (A) fail rate by age

Below typicalAbove typicalHigh (28% or more)Highest fail rateUK average for cars this age
Age / builtFail rateMOT tests
15 yearsbuilt around 2010
3,26935.5%
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.

How the Meriva Mk1 (A) compares

At each age below, see how the Meriva Mk1 (A) holds up against other cars the same age. The averages combine all fuel types.

Based on 120,784 tests across 9 Vauxhall models, built around 2008 (17 years old).

Below typicalAbove typicalHigh (28% or more)Highest fail rateVauxhall average
Age / builtFail rateMOT tests
15 yearsbuilt around 2010
3,26935.5%
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.

What to check before viewing

The model's most common MOT issues, turned into things you can ask about or look for.

Brake pipes and hoses

High priority

Look under the car for corrosion or chafing on the rigid brake pipes near the rear axle.

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.

Shock absorbers

Worth checking

Bounce-test each corner; check for oily streaks down the strut bodies.

Tyres

Worth checking

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

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.

Other people carriers to compare

Other people carriers, with each one's figures taken at the same age as the Meriva Mk1 (A).

  1. 1

    Toyota Estima

    Same body type, tested at the same age

    Fail rate
    21.1%
    Fail, no pass in 3 days
    4.5%
    Dangerous
    5.4%

    Lower fail rate: 21.1%, against 35.4% for the Vauxhall Meriva Mk1 (A), both built around 2008.

    1,330 MOT tests on cars built around 2008

  2. 2

    Toyota Alphard

    Same body type, tested at the same age

    Fail rate
    21%
    Fail, no pass in 3 days
    6.2%
    Dangerous
    5.6%

    Lower fail rate: 21.0%, against 35.4% for the Vauxhall Meriva Mk1 (A), both built around 2008.

    2,023 MOT tests on cars built around 2008

  3. 3

    Nissan Elgrand

    Same body type, tested at the same age

    Fail rate
    23.1%
    Fail, no pass in 3 days
    8.5%
    Dangerous
    8.2%

    Lower fail rate: 23.1%, against 35.4% for the Vauxhall Meriva Mk1 (A), both built around 2008.

    2,345 MOT tests on cars built around 2008

  4. 4

    Volkswagen Caddy

    Same body type, tested at the same age

    Fail rate
    29.6%
    Fail, no pass in 3 days
    9.4%
    Dangerous
    6.9%
    Still registered at 10 years
    88.8%

    Lower fail rate: 29.5%, against 35.4% for the Vauxhall Meriva Mk1 (A), both built around 2008.

    6,217 MOT tests on cars built around 2008

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.

How many are still registered

94%of all Vauxhall Meriva cars first registered in 2014 to 2015 were still registered 10 years later. This is the whole model, not only this generation.

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

3 of the 10 Meriva Mk1 (A) recalls cover cars built in these years.

  • 3 recalls

Top concerns

  • Seatbelt may malfunction if vehicle is involved in A collision
  • Steering control may be lost
  • Vauxhall cross carline driver’s airbag - Takata

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

What has gone wrong on Meriva Mk1 (A) cars built around 2008

The share of petrol cars that have ever failed an MOT on each part of the car. Based on 864 cars.

Structural systems

Suspension
80%
Emissions
50%
Drivetrain
15%
Steering
9%
Bodywork
7%

Wear items

Lighting
75%
Brakes
63%
Tyres
56%

Rust, which the MOT calls corrosion: 15% of these cars show rust-related issues at this age.

Check the sills, subframe and brake pipes before you decide.

Fail rate by engine size, built around 2008 (17 years old)

Engine sizes across all petrol Meriva tests (not specific to Mk1 (A)).

1.0 to 1.4 litres36.2%2,892 tests1.4 to 2.0 litres34.7%2,669 tests
How Meriva Mk1 (A) cars have aged

How Meriva Mk1 (A) cars have aged

How fail rates have changed as these cars got older. Each line follows cars first registered in about the same year across several years of MOT data. Not a prediction for any one car.

0%10%20%30%40%121416182022Age at MOTBuilt around 2009, 12 years old at the time of MOT: 33.7% (5,838 tests, 2021 data)Built around 2009, 13 years old at the time of MOT: 32.9% (5,098 tests, 2022 data)Built around 2009, 14 years old at the time of MOT: 32.9% (4,381 tests, 2023 data)Built around 2009, 15 years old at the time of MOT: 33.7% (3,720 tests, 2024 data)Built around 2009, 16 years old at the time of MOT: 33.0% (2,964 tests, 2025 data)2009Built around 2008, 13 years old at the time of MOT: 34.4% (7,784 tests, 2021 data)Built around 2008, 14 years old at the time of MOT: 34.4% (6,650 tests, 2022 data)Built around 2008, 15 years old at the time of MOT: 34.4% (5,635 tests, 2023 data)Built around 2008, 16 years old at the time of MOT: 35.1% (4,585 tests, 2024 data)Built around 2008, 17 years old at the time of MOT: 36.0% (3,668 tests, 2025 data)2008Built around 2007, 14 years old at the time of MOT: 35.5% (7,272 tests, 2021 data)Built around 2007, 15 years old at the time of MOT: 35.3% (5,972 tests, 2022 data)Built around 2007, 16 years old at the time of MOT: 35.5% (4,941 tests, 2023 data)Built around 2007, 17 years old at the time of MOT: 34.4% (3,804 tests, 2024 data)Built around 2007, 18 years old at the time of MOT: 35.2% (2,967 tests, 2025 data)2007Built around 2006, 15 years old at the time of MOT: 36.7% (6,868 tests, 2021 data)Built around 2006, 16 years old at the time of MOT: 35.9% (5,450 tests, 2022 data)Built around 2006, 17 years old at the time of MOT: 36.0% (4,272 tests, 2023 data)Built around 2006, 18 years old at the time of MOT: 35.9% (3,255 tests, 2024 data)Built around 2006, 19 years old at the time of MOT: 35.9% (2,402 tests, 2025 data)2006Built around 2005, 16 years old at the time of MOT: 37.6% (4,699 tests, 2021 data)Built around 2005, 17 years old at the time of MOT: 35.9% (3,481 tests, 2022 data)Built around 2005, 18 years old at the time of MOT: 36.7% (2,706 tests, 2023 data)Built around 2005, 19 years old at the time of MOT: 36.3% (1,962 tests, 2024 data)Built around 2005, 20 years old at the time of MOT: 36.0% (1,368 tests, 2025 data)2005Built around 2004, 17 years old at the time of MOT: 37.6% (3,803 tests, 2021 data)Built around 2004, 18 years old at the time of MOT: 37.6% (2,816 tests, 2022 data)Built around 2004, 19 years old at the time of MOT: 37.0% (1,994 tests, 2023 data)Built around 2004, 20 years old at the time of MOT: 35.5% (1,345 tests, 2024 data)Built around 2004, 21 years old at the time of MOT: 35.5% (955 tests, 2025 data)2004Built around 2003, 18 years old at the time of MOT: 36.4% (643 tests, 2021 data)Built around 2003, 19 years old at the time of MOT: 35.0% (420 tests, 2022 data)Built around 2003, 20 years old at the time of MOT: 36.8% (291 tests, 2023 data)Built around 2003, 21 years old at the time of MOT: 35.2% (193 tests, 2024 data)Built around 2003, 22 years old at the time of MOT: 34.0% (147 tests, 2025 data)2003
First registered around 2009First registered around 2008First registered around 2007First registered around 2006
How each part holds up as Mk1 (A) cars age

How each part holds up as Mk1 (A) cars age

The share of petrol cars built 2005-2008 that have ever failed an MOT on each part of the car. Rates usually rise with age, but can dip slightly as cars leave the road.

Part of the car17 years18 years19 years20 years
Suspension80%84%85%87%
Brakes63%64%65%67%
Emissions50%50%46%55%
Tyres56%60%59%59%
Lighting75%77%77%80%
Drivetrain15%54%75%71%
Bodywork7%3%3%4%
Steering9%7%9%13%
Corrosion15%12%13%13%

Based on petrol cars in the 2005-2008 build-year band, from 864 to 1,198 cars at each age.

Mk1 (A) variants compared

Meriva Mk1 (A) variants built around 2008

The fail rate for each Meriva Mk1 (A) variant, grouped by fuel. Each row counts fails per MOT test, the same way as the main fail rate chart.

Petrol

  • MERIVA35.5%5,560 tests

Diesel

  • MERIVA34.1%381 tests
All generations of this modelPlenty of data

Most common issues on Vauxhall Merivas of this age

This list covers every Vauxhall Meriva built around 2008, whichever generation it is. We don't have a defect list for the Mk1 (A) on its own.

Most common advisories and fails

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

  1. 1
    Advisory

    Brake pipe corroded or covered in grease

    32.9%
    Advisory: 2,987Fail: 451 (13% of the times it was found)
  2. 2
    Advisory

    Shock absorber has a light misting of oil

    26.9%
    Advisory: 2,091Fail: 272 (12% of the times it was found)
  3. 3
    Advisory

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

    24.8%
    Advisory: 1,984Fail: 128 (6% of the times it was found)
  4. 4
    Advisory

    Oil leak, but not excessive

    19.8%
    Advisory: 1,146Fail: 47 (4% of the times it was found)
  5. 5
    Advisory

    Exhaust has a minor leak

    18.5%
    Advisory: 1,043Fail: 199 (16% of the times it was found)

Based on 5,943 tests

Looking at a Vauxhall Meriva Mk1 (A) right now?

Enter its number plate to see its full MOT history, risk rating and running costs.

Frequently asked questions

Built around 2008 (17 years old), the Vauxhall Meriva Mk1 (A) (2003-2009) fails MOTs noticeably more often than typical for this age. This is based on 5,943 17-year-old MOT tests from DVSA data. Each retest counts as a test.

*The build year is worked out from the date a car was first used on UK roads. For most cars this matches when it was registered, but imports may differ by a few months.

Data sourced from DVSA MOT History API. From 26,418 MOT tests on Vauxhall Merivas first registered between 2003-2009. These figures are a guide, not a guarantee.