Vauxhall Meriva (2009)

Estimated running costs and MOT pass rates from 10,176 MOT tests in 2024.

Annual Cost

£2,711

£226/month

MOT Pass Rate

69%

Below Avg

Road Tax

£325

Estimated/year

Est. Insurance

Grp 18-32

1796cc Petrol

Proceed With Caution

69% pass rate, £2,711/year to run. 13 points below average.

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Petrol1796cc17 years old10,176 tests84k miles avg

Annual Running Costs

Fuel (Petrol, 1796cc)

~36 mpg

£1,631

Road Tax

Estimated CO2 band

£325

MOT Test

£55

Predicted Repairs

Higher estimate due to low pass rate

£700

Total per year£2,711

Per month£226/mo

Per week£52/wk

Estimates based on 7,400 miles/year (UK average), petrol at 174.57p a litre (GOV.UK weekly average, week of 19 October 2026), GOV.UK road tax rates and repair likelihood from MOT data. Insurance not included.

Reliability Verdict

69% MOT pass rate(Below Avg)

0%All-model avg: 82%100%

Below average reliability. Budget extra for maintenance and repairs. That's 13 points below the average of 82% across all models in our data. It falls below the Vauxhall brand average of 84%.

69% of MOT tests on Vauxhall Merivas from 2009 ended in a pass in 2024, when they were about 15 years old. That's based on 10,176 tests across the UK, retests included. The average mileage recorded at those tests was 83,758 miles.

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How Does It Compare?

Rank among 2009 models477th of 555(bottom 15%)

Rank among Vauxhall models788th of 870(bottom 10%)

vs average of all models-13%(82% avg)

vs 2009 models average-5%(74% avg)

vs Vauxhall average-15%(84% avg)

Mileage Analysis

83,758

Average miles

111,000

Expected for age

The average 2009 Vauxhall Meriva had 83,758 miles on the clock at its 2024 MOT, which is below the expected 111,000 miles for a 15-year-old car. This suggests lighter use than average, which generally means less wear on major components.

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Best Year to Buy?

Of the years with at least 100 tests, the 2017 model has the highest MOT pass rate at 84%, while the 2003 model has the lowest at 66%. The 2009 scores 69%. Newer cars usually pass more often simply because they are younger, so compare years of a similar age.

Vauxhall Meriva by Year

Year	Pass Rate	Tests	Avg Mileage
2018	94%	33	32,949 mi
2017	84%	6,937	42,014 mi
2016	83%	10,165	49,088 mi
2015	82%	13,281	56,416 mi
2014	81%	12,403	61,266 mi
2013	78%	13,584	69,704 mi
2012	78%	15,076	78,172 mi
2011	76%	25,841	87,952 mi
2010	73%	17,947	85,986 mi
2009	69%	10,176	83,758 mi
2008	68%	10,277	88,694 mi
2007	68%	9,146	90,049 mi
2006	66%	7,779	91,712 mi
2005	68%	4,663	92,298 mi
2004	67%	3,436	93,297 mi
2003	66%	686	91,455 mi

Similar Cars to Consider

Ford Focus

2011 · 1596cc Petrol

£2,228/year

75%

+6%

Vauxhall Corsa

2011 · 1398cc Petrol

£2,153/year

75%

+6%

Ford Fiesta

2008 · 1388cc Petrol

£2,153/year

72%

+3%

Nissan Qashqai

2011 · 1997cc Petrol

£2,711/year

69%

same

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About the 2009 Vauxhall Meriva

The 2009 Vauxhall Meriva is a family car. Our records list a 1796cc petrol engine, though engines vary between versions. 10,176 MOT tests were recorded on this model in 2024, making it one of the most commonly tested models on UK roads. It sits in the bottom 15% of 2009 models for MOT pass rate.

With an average of 83,758 miles recorded at its 2024 MOT tests, Vauxhall Meriva owners tend to use this car less than the typical driver.

2009 Vauxhall Meriva Fuel Costs

The 1796cc petrol engine offers a reasonable balance between performance and economy. Expect around 36 mpg in mixed driving, which works out to roughly £1,631 per year with petrol at 174.57p per litre (GOV.UK weekly average, week of 19 October 2026; based on 7,400 miles per year).

What does it cost to own a 2009 Vauxhall Meriva?

Total estimated annual running cost is £2,711 (£226/month), broken down as £1,631 fuel, £325 road tax, £55 MOT, and £700 predicted repairs. The higher repair estimate reflects the 69% MOT pass rate. Cars in this bracket tend to need work on suspension, brakes, and emissions components.

Vauxhall Meriva Reliability Trend

Newer Vauxhall Merivas pass their MOT more often than older ones, by 12 percentage points on average, which is mostly down to age and wear.

Buying a Used 2009 Vauxhall Meriva

At 17 years old, the Vauxhall Meriva is firmly in budget territory. Purchase prices are low, but check for rust, worn suspension bushes, and electrical gremlins. A full service history is especially valuable at this age. If you're flexible on year, the 2017 model has the highest pass rate at 84%. With 10,176 MOT tests in our data, there's strong statistical confidence in these figures.

Common Issues to Watch For

These are typical issues for cars of this age, fuel type and engine size, not faults recorded on this model's MOT tests. Use them as a checklist when you view one.

Timing Chain / Belt

Watch out

At 17 years old, check whether the timing belt has been replaced (typically due every 5-7 years or 60,000-100,000 miles). A snapped belt can destroy the engine.

Rust and Corrosion

Watch out

At 10+ years, check wheel arches, sills, subframe, and brake lines for rust. Structural corrosion is an MOT failure. Prevention is far cheaper than repair.

Suspension Bushings

Watch out

Rubber suspension bushes harden and crack with age, causing knocking noises and vague handling. A full refresh costs £300-£800 depending on the car.

Clutch Wear

Medium risk

With an average of 84k miles, clutch replacement may be due (typical lifespan 60,000-100,000 miles). Budget £400-£800 for a new clutch kit.

Brake Discs and Pads

Medium risk

High-mileage cars often need brake disc replacement, not just pads. A full set of discs and pads costs £200-£500 per axle.

Higher Than Average Failure Rate

Watch out

With a 69% MOT pass rate, this model fails more often than most. Budget for unexpected repairs and get a thorough pre-purchase inspection.

Service History

Low risk

Always request a full service history. Regular servicing is the single best indicator of how well a car has been maintained, regardless of mileage.

Running Costs Compared

How the 2009 Vauxhall Meriva stacks up against similar cars for estimated annual running costs, insurance group, and tax.

Car	Pass Rate	Fuel/yr	Tax/yr	Est. Ins. Group	Total/yr
Vauxhall Meriva(2009)	69%	£1,631	£325	Grp 18-32	£2,711
Ford Focus(2011)	75%	£1,398	£275	Grp 12-25	£2,228-£483
Vauxhall Corsa(2011)	75%	£1,398	£200	Grp 8-20	£2,153-£558
Ford Fiesta(2008)	72%	£1,398	£200	Grp 8-20	£2,153-£558
Nissan Qashqai(2011)	69%	£1,631	£325	Grp 18-32	£2,711same

Estimates based on 7,400 miles/year, GOV.UK average pump prices for the week of 19 October 2026, GOV.UK road tax rates and MOT data. Insurance groups are our rough estimate from engine size, not official groups. Actual costs vary by driver, location, and usage.

Questions about the 2009 Vauxhall Meriva

Is the 2009 Vauxhall Meriva reliable?

Below average reliability. Budget extra for maintenance and repairs. 69% of MOT tests on 2009 Vauxhall Merivas ended in a pass, from 10,176 tests (DVSA MOT data for tests in 2024, retests included). That's 13 points below the average of 82% across all models in the same data.

How much does a 2009 Vauxhall Meriva cost to run?

Our estimate is £2,711 a year (£226 a month): £1,631 fuel, £325 road tax, £55 MOT and £700 predicted repairs, based on 7,400 miles a year. Insurance is not included.

What is the MOT pass rate for a 2009 Vauxhall Meriva?

69% of 10,176 MOT tests on the 2009 Vauxhall Meriva ended in a pass (DVSA MOT data for tests in 2024, retests included). That ranks it 477th of 555 models first registered in 2009 (bottom 15%).

Which year Vauxhall Meriva has the best MOT pass rate?

Of the years with at least 100 tests, the 2017 Vauxhall Meriva has the highest MOT pass rate at 84% and the 2003 the lowest at 66%. Newer cars usually pass more often simply because they are younger and have done fewer miles.

What is the average mileage for a 2009 Vauxhall Meriva?

The average mileage recorded at MOT tests on the 2009 Vauxhall Meriva is 83,758 miles, which is below the expected 111,000 miles for a 15-year-old car. This suggests lighter use than average, which generally means less wear on major components.