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VAUXHALL MERIVA Common Problems & Reliability

Based on 4,096 MOT tests from 298 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 the reliability of your Vauxhall Meriva

Enter your registration to see the MOT history for this car.

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
Petrol2017784/999Very good92,634 miles2,747 vehicles
Diesel2015610/999Good72,952 miles872 vehicles
Petrol2015725/999Very good77,454 miles5,259 vehicles
Petrol2013679/999Good80,485 miles5,567 vehicles
Diesel2012582/999Above average70,437 miles1,578 vehicles
Petrol2012630/999Good79,316 miles5,530 vehicles
Diesel2011561/999Above average76,322 miles2,422 vehicles
Diesel2010556/999Above average77,411 miles2,289 vehicles
Petrol2010541/999Above average79,746 miles4,729 vehicles
Petrol2009413/999Average79,588 miles4,058 vehicles
Diesel2003385/999Fair76,343 miles562 vehicles
Petrol2003352/999Fair96,269 miles4,266 vehicles

How reliable is the VAUXHALL MERIVA?

Based on 4,096 MOT tests from 298 vehicles analysed by VehicleScore®.

Vehicles

298

MOT tests

4,096

Pass rate

78.5%

Median mileage

75,052 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 653 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 761 advisory comments and 100 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 58 advisory comments and 194 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 240 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 183 advisory comments and 27 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 171 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 58 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: OFFSIDE REAR BRAKE PIPE CORRODED, COVERED IN GREASE OR OTHER MATERIAL (1.1.11 (C))

Engine warning lamp

VehicleScore® MOT data includes 25 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))

Windscreen damage

VehicleScore® MOT data includes 11 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 chips, cracks, or other windscreen damage in the driver’s view.

What to inspect

Look for chips and cracks, especially in the area swept by the wipers.

Example MOT wording: OFFSIDE WINDSCREEN WIPER DOES NOT CLEAR THE WINDSCREEN EFFECTIVELY (3.4 (B) (II))

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
20171513775.9%Tyre wear, Brake pad wear
20163532085.6%Tyre wear, Brake pad wear
20153133581.2%Tyre wear, Brake disc wear
20144150081.4%Tyre wear, Brake pad wear
20133543283.1%Tyre wear, Coil spring issues
20122333878.1%Tyre wear, Coil spring issues
20114774478.8%Tyre wear, Coil spring issues
20102646775.6%Tyre wear, Coil spring issues
2009612173.6%Tyre wear, Corrosion
2008816872.6%Corrosion, Tyre wear
2007510474%Tyre wear, Oil leak
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.

  • Windscreen damage. Look for chips and cracks, especially in the area swept by the wipers.

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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