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VAUXHALL MERIVA Common Problems & Reliability

Based on 3,473 MOT tests from 255 vehicles analysed by VehicleScore. The figures below describe that VehicleScore sample. Recurring issues seen in VehicleScore MOT data are not a claim that every VAUXHALL MERIVA has the same fault.

VAUXHALL MERIVA's have a slightly over average reliability rating of 568/999. The score was calculated from the average of every VAUXHALL MERIVA that has had a registered MOT.

We calculated all of the below figures by getting the score from each vehicle make/model/year/fuel, which are each calculated a score. We then generate the average score, taking into account factors such as mileage and emissions.

Also check BHP & performance, road tax, fuel economy, and CO2 emissions for the VAUXHALL MERIVA.

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Check a Vauxhall Meriva before you buy

Enter your registration to see available vehicle history information including service records, MOT, mileage, write-off status, outstanding finance and more.

Vauxhall Meriva side view
  • Service history

    Dealer & service records

  • MOT records

    Past & current MOT data

  • Write-off check

    Check for insurance write-offs

  • Finance check

    Outstanding finance & theft checks

Fuel TypeYearReliability ScoreAvg MileageSample Size
N/AN/A784/999Very good92,634 miles2,747 vehicles
N/AN/A725/999Very good77,454 miles5,259 vehicles
N/AN/A679/999Good80,485 miles5,567 vehicles
N/AN/A630/999Good79,316 miles5,530 vehicles
N/AN/A610/999Good72,952 miles872 vehicles
N/AN/A582/999Above average70,437 miles1,578 vehicles
N/AN/A561/999Above average76,322 miles2,422 vehicles
N/AN/A556/999Above average77,411 miles2,289 vehicles
N/AN/A541/999Above average79,746 miles4,729 vehicles
N/AN/A413/999Average79,588 miles4,058 vehicles
N/AN/A385/999Fair76,343 miles562 vehicles
N/AN/A352/999Fair96,269 miles4,266 vehicles

How reliable is the VAUXHALL MERIVA?

Based on 3,473 MOT tests from 255 vehicles analysed by VehicleScore.

Vehicles

255

MOT tests

3,473

Pass rate

79%

Median mileage

76,706 mi

Recurring issues seen in VehicleScore MOT data are inspection findings from this sample. They are not a statement that every VAUXHALL MERIVA has the same fault. The median VehicleScore in this sample is 657 out of 999.

Common VAUXHALL MERIVA MOT problems

These groups combine equivalent MOT comments, such as the same tyre note on different corners. Counts are comment occurrences in the sample, not a percentage of cars.

Tyre wear

VehicleScore MOT data includes 602 advisory comments and 80 failure comments in this group. Seen as both an advisory and a failure reason. These are comment occurrences, not a share of all cars.

These MOT comments record tyres that were worn, damaged, or close to the legal tread depth when the car was inspected.

What to inspect

Check the tread depth and look for uneven wear, cracking, or damage on all four tyres.

Example MOT wording: OFFSIDE FRONT TYRE WORN CLOSE TO LEGAL LIMIT/WORN ON EDGE (5.2.3 (E))

Coil spring issues

VehicleScore MOT data includes 50 advisory comments and 167 failure comments in this group. Seen as both an advisory and a failure reason. These are comment occurrences, not a share of all cars.

These MOT comments record coil springs that were corroded, fractured, or otherwise defective. They are counted separately from shock absorbers.

What to inspect

Look for a broken or heavily corroded spring and compare the ride height on both sides.

Example MOT wording: NEARSIDE REAR COIL SPRING FRACTURED OR BROKEN (5.3.1 (B) (I))

Oil leak

VehicleScore MOT data includes 211 advisory comments in this group. Seen mainly as an advisory. These are comment occurrences, not a share of all cars.

These MOT comments record an oil leak noted by the tester. Shock absorber misting is counted as a damper issue, not as an engine oil leak.

What to inspect

Look under the engine for fresh oil, and check the oil level.

Example MOT wording: OIL LEAK, BUT NOT EXCESSIVE (8.4.1 (A) (I))

Brake pad wear

VehicleScore MOT data includes 156 advisory comments and 14 failure comments in this group. Seen as both an advisory and a failure reason. These are comment occurrences, not a share of all cars.

These MOT comments record brake pads that were worn or below the inspection limit.

What to inspect

Ask for recent pad replacement and look at the remaining pad thickness.

Example MOT wording: REAR BRAKE PAD(S) WEARING THIN (1.1.13 (A) (II))

Brake disc wear

VehicleScore MOT data includes 149 advisory comments in this group. Seen mainly as an advisory. These are comment occurrences, not a share of all cars.

These MOT comments record brake discs that were worn, scored, pitted, or corroded.

What to inspect

Look at the disc faces for deep scoring, a lip at the edge, and corrosion.

Example MOT wording: REAR BRAKE DISC WORN, PITTED OR SCORED, BUT NOT SERIOUSLY WEAKENED (1.1.14 (A) (II))

Corrosion

VehicleScore MOT data includes 89 advisory comments in this group. Seen mainly as an advisory. These are comment occurrences, not a share of all cars.

These MOT comments record corrosion the tester could see on the body or structure. Corrosion already named on a spring, brake, or other component is counted with that component.

What to inspect

Inspect the underside, sills, and subframe for heavy corrosion, especially where an advisory mentions it.

Example MOT wording: NEARSIDE REAR BRAKE PIPE CORRODED, COVERED IN GREASE OR OTHER MATERIAL (1.1.11 (C))

Engine warning lamp

VehicleScore MOT data includes 20 failure comments in this group. Seen mainly as a failure reason. These are comment occurrences, not a share of all cars.

These MOT comments record an engine warning lamp that was on, or did not work, during the inspection.

What to inspect

Switch on the ignition and confirm the lamp comes on and then goes out. Ask what was diagnosed if it stayed on.

Example MOT wording: ENGINE MIL INOPERATIVE OR INDICATES A MALFUNCTION (8.2.1.2 (H))

Parking brake faults

VehicleScore MOT data includes 10 failure comments in this group. Seen mainly as a failure reason. These are comment occurrences, not a share of all cars.

These MOT comments record a parking brake that did not hold well enough or had a component defect.

What to inspect

Test that the parking brake holds the car on a slope and releases cleanly.

Example MOT wording: PARKING BRAKE EFFICIENCY BELOW REQUIREMENTS (1.4.2 (A) (I))

VAUXHALL MERIVA MOT reliability by year

A model year is only commented on when VehicleScore has at least 5 vehicles from that year.

YearVehiclesMOT testsPass rateRecurring issues seen
2017109474.5%Tyre wear, Coil spring issues
20163330285.8%Tyre wear, Brake pad wear
20152526981%Tyre wear, Brake disc wear
20143643382.4%Tyre wear, Brake pad wear
20133037184.9%Tyre wear, Coil spring issues
20122029577.6%Tyre wear, Coil spring issues
20113961278.6%Tyre wear, Oil leak
20102442876.4%Tyre wear, Coil spring issues
2008714075.7%Corrosion, Tyre wear
2006714875%Corrosion, Shock absorber issues

What to check when buying a used VAUXHALL MERIVA

This is an inspection checklist based on MOT comments in the VehicleScore sample. It does not mean the car you are looking at has these defects.

  • Tyre wear. Check the tread depth and look for uneven wear, cracking, or damage on all four tyres.

  • Coil spring issues. Look for a broken or heavily corroded spring and compare the ride height on both sides.

  • Oil leak. Look under the engine for fresh oil, and check the oil level.

  • Brake pad wear. Ask for recent pad replacement and look at the remaining pad thickness.

  • Brake disc wear. Look at the disc faces for deep scoring, a lip at the edge, and corrosion.

  • Corrosion. Inspect the underside, sills, and subframe for heavy corrosion, especially where an advisory mentions it.

  • Engine warning lamp. Switch on the ignition and confirm the lamp comes on and then goes out. Ask what was diagnosed if it stayed on.

  • Parking brake faults. Test that the parking brake holds the car on a slope and releases cleanly.

Buying a VAUXHALL MERIVA?

Common problems tell you what can affect VAUXHALL MERIVAs generally. VehicleScore can check the history of the actual car you're considering.

Where does this data come from?

VehicleScore analyses MOT histories from vehicles in its own dataset. Sample sizes vary by model, and a small sample is labelled as such. MOT data records roadworthiness and inspection defects. It does not capture every mechanical or electronic problem a car can have, and a comment on one test is not proof that the model has an inherent fault.

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