MPV and people carrier · 2003–2018 cars

Vauxhall Meriva reliability

The Vauxhall Meriva fails 37.1% of first MOT tests, 16% more MOT fails than the average car its age and mileage, based on 329,731 DVSA MOT tests from 2022 to 2024.

Below averageReliability score 36/100#36 of 49 mpv and people carriers

Checking a Vauxhall Meriva before you buy?

first-time MOT fail rate (all cars: 28.4%): 37.1%; first-time MOT fail rate (all cars: 28.4%)
fails than cars of the same age and mileage: 16% more; fails than cars of the same age and mileage
MOT tests analysed, 2022 to 2024: 329,731; MOT tests analysed, 2022 to 2024
typical miles a year, from MOT readings: 6,500; typical miles a year, from MOT readings

What this means for buyers

The Vauxhall Meriva has a first-time MOT fail rate of 37.1%, against 28.4% for all cars. Compared with cars of the same age and mileage, it has 16% more MOT fails, and it ranks 36 of 49 mpv and people carrier models. The 2009 cars are the weakest, with 29% more MOT fails than cars of the same age and mileage. The 2011 cars are the best year, and sit about average.

A Meriva can still be a sound buy if you check the right things. Steering is its weakest area, with 52% more fails than comparable cars, so test it on a drive. Then check the car for its most common failures: a coil spring that's fractured or broken, a position lamp that doesn't work, an engine warning light that's lit or inoperative, and rigid brake pipes that are excessively corroded.

MOT fail rate by age

How the Vauxhall Meriva ages

Each point is the share of Vauxhall Merivas of that age that failed their MOT first time, against all cars of the same age.

Vauxhall MerivaAll cars

Vauxhall Meriva first-time MOT fail rate by age
Age at MOT (years)	Vauxhall Meriva	All cars
4	14.4%	14.1%
5	18.1%	16.4%
6	21.7%	19.1%
7	23.3%	22.1%
8	27.1%	25.5%
9	29.5%	28.8%
10	32.6%	31.8%
11	34.2%	34.6%
12	38.3%	37.3%
13	42.9%	39.5%
14	49.1%	41.1%
15	52.5%	42.3%
16	52.6%	42.9%
17	53.8%	43.4%
18	54%	43.5%
19	53.7%	43.4%
20	53%	42.8%

By year

The best and worst Vauxhall Meriva years

2011 cars come out best and 2009 cars worst, once age and mileage are taken into account.

Vauxhall Meriva MOT results by year of first registration
First registered	Tests	Fail rate	Against same-age cars	Typical mileage
2017 Meriva	14,754	19.6%	28% more fails	32,680
2016 Meriva	21,458	22%	22% more fails	39,897
2015 Meriva	27,406	25.2%	19% more fails	47,123
2014 Meriva	25,358	26.5%	10% more fails	52,376
2013 Meriva	26,632	32.3%	16% more fails	61,021
2012 Meriva	30,487	32.1%	1% more fails	69,822
2011 Meriva	51,744	34.8%	2% fewer fails	80,552
2010 Meriva	35,776	41.5%	12% more fails	80,369
2009 Meriva	20,047	49.3%	29% more fails	78,200
2008 Meriva	20,613	51%	26% more fails	84,115
2007 Meriva	18,893	52.4%	27% more fails	85,611
2006 Meriva	16,367	53.8%	29% more fails	87,907
2005 Meriva	10,434	54.3%	28% more fails	89,381
2004 Meriva	7,991	53.8%	26% more fails	90,554
2003 Meriva	1,684	52.9%	25% more fails	89,433

Common problems

What fails most on a Vauxhall Meriva

Its weak spot is steering: 52% more fails there than cars of the same age and mileage.

Fail rate by area

Suspension15.8%43% above avg
Lights and electrics13.6%3% above avg
Brakes9.3%24% above avg
Tyres7.7%21% above avg
Windscreen, wipers and mirrors5.5%8% above avg
Body, chassis and structure5.3%30% above avg
Exhaust, emissions and leaks5.2%47% above avg
Steering3.3%52% above avg
Seat belts and airbags0.9%13% below avg

Average for cars of the same age and mileage

Top MOT failures

1
Coil spring fractured or broken 7.59% of tests
A broken coil spring can leave the car sitting low or unstable, so it must be replaced before driving.
2
Position lamp not working 2.85% of tests
A failed position lamp makes the car harder to see in poor light and is illegal, so it must be repaired.
3
Engine warning light inoperative or lit 2.42% of tests
An engine warning light that is lit or not working can hide faults, so diagnosis is needed before buying.
4
Rigid brake pipe excessively corroded 2.38% of tests
Badly corroded brake pipes can leak or fail, which can cause a loss of braking, so repair is urgent.
5
Stop lamp not working 2.34% of tests
A failed stop lamp means drivers behind cannot see when you brake, a safety risk that must be fixed.
6
Brake pads worn below 1.5mm 2.31% of tests
Pads worn below 1.5mm lose stopping power and can damage discs, so replacement is needed before the car is driven.
7
Headlamp beam pattern obviously incorrect 2.25% of tests
A wrongly shaped beam can dazzle other drivers and reduce your own view of the road, so the lamps need correcting.
8
Tyre tread below 1.6mm 2.19% of tests
Tread below 1.6mm is illegal and reduces grip in wet conditions, so the tyre must be replaced.

Most common advisories

Not a fail yet, but worth pricing in: these show up on a Vauxhall Meriva's MOT certificate most often.

Tyre worn close to legal limit15.49%
Tyre slightly damaged or cracking12.22%
Engine oil leak, not excessive10.55%
Brake disc pitted or scored9.72%
Brake pipes corroded and greasy9.63%
Brake pads wearing thin6.94%

Before you buy

What to check on a used Vauxhall Meriva

1
Coil spring fractured or broken
A broken coil spring can leave the car sitting low or unstable, so it must be replaced before driving.
2
Position lamp not working
A failed position lamp makes the car harder to see in poor light and is illegal, so it must be repaired.
3
Engine warning light inoperative or lit
An engine warning light that is lit or not working can hide faults, so diagnosis is needed before buying.
4
Rigid brake pipe excessively corroded
Badly corroded brake pipes can leak or fail, which can cause a loss of braking, so repair is urgent.
5
Every MOT since new
Look for the faults above coming back year after year: it shows how the car has been looked after.
6
The mileage record
A typical Vauxhall Meriva covers about 6,500 miles a year. A big gap or a drop between MOTs is a warning sign.
7
Finance, stolen and write-off
The records the MOT can't show. A Full Check (£9.99) covers all three before you hand over any money.

Fuel types tested

Petrol82.7%
Diesel17.3%
LPG0%
Other0%

Most common colours

Silver, Blue, Black, Grey, Brown

Average engine size: 1.5 litres.

Compare

How the Vauxhall Meriva compares with its rivals

Vauxhall Meriva against similar models
Model	Fail rate	Against same-age cars
Volkswagen Touran	32.9%	6% fewer MOT fails than the average car its age
Ford C-Max	30%	about average for its age
Ford S-Max	34.6%	about average for its age
Ford Galaxy	36.9%	8% more MOT fails than the average car its age
Vauxhall Zafira	38.5%	12% more MOT fails than the average car its age
Vauxhall Meriva	37.1%	16% more MOT fails than the average car its age
Renault Scenic	44.1%	27% more MOT fails than the average car its age

Every mpv and people carrier ranked in the mpv and people carrier reliability index, or all Vauxhall models.

Questions

Vauxhall Meriva questions, answered

Is the Vauxhall Meriva reliable?

On MOT results, the Vauxhall Meriva is below average: it fails 37.1% of first MOT tests, 16% more MOT fails than the average car its age and mileage. It ranks 36 of 49 mpv and people carrier models in our index.

What fails most on a Vauxhall Meriva MOT?

The most common MOT failures on the Vauxhall Meriva are coil spring fractured or broken (7.59% of tests), position lamp not working (2.85% of tests), engine warning light inoperative or lit (2.42% of tests). By area, suspension fails 15.8% of its tests.

Which Vauxhall Meriva year is the most reliable?

Among years with 1,000+ tests, 2011 cars do best (about average for its age) and 2009 cars do worst (29% more MOT fails than the average car its age).

How many miles does a Vauxhall Meriva do a year?

A typical Vauxhall Meriva covers about 6,500 miles a year, from the mileage recorded at its MOTs. Check the car you're looking at against that with a free mileage check.

How do I check a Vauxhall Meriva before I buy it?

Enter its registration for a free check of its MOT history, mileage, ULEZ status and tax. Before you pay, a Full Check (£9.99) shows outstanding finance, stolen and write-off records.

Source: DVSA anonymised MOT test results, 2022 to 2024, class 4 vehicles aged 3 to 25, normal tests only. How we compare like with like: our methodology.

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