VAUXHALL MERIVA (2018)
Running costs, reliability data, and common problems from 33 real MOT tests.
Annual Cost
£1,587
£132/month
MOT Pass Rate
94%
Excellent
Road Tax
£195
Flat rate/year
Insurance
Grp 8-20
1398cc Petrol
Great Choice
94% pass rate, £1587/year to run. 12 points above average.
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Annual Running Costs
~42 mpg
Flat rate (post-2017)
Low estimate due to excellent reliability
Based on 7,400 miles/year (UK average), current fuel prices, and repair likelihood from MOT data. Insurance not included.
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Reliability Verdict
Excellent reliability. Very few MOT failures. That's 12 points above the national average of 82%. It also outperforms the VAUXHALL brand average of 84%.
At 8 years old, 94% of VAUXHALL MERIVAs from 2018 passed their MOT first time in 2026. That's based on 33 tests across the UK. The average mileage at this age is 32,949 miles.
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How Does It Compare?
Mileage Analysis
32,949
Average miles
59,200
Expected for age
The average 2018 VAUXHALL MERIVA has 32,949 miles on the clock, which is below the expected 59,200 miles for a 8-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?
The most reliable year is the 2017 model with a 84% MOT pass rate, while the 2003 model has the lowest at 66%. The 2018 sits between the two at 94%.
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
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About the 2018 VAUXHALL MERIVA
The 2018 VAUXHALL MERIVA is a small family car with a 1398cc petrol engine. 33 of these vehicles were MOT tested in 2026, making it a rare model on UK roads. It ranks in the top 25% of all 2018 cars for reliability.
With an average of 32,949 miles at 8 years old, VAUXHALL MERIVA owners tend to use this car less than the typical driver.
2018 VAUXHALL MERIVA Fuel Costs
The 1398cc petrol engine offers a reasonable balance between performance and economy. Expect around 42 mpg in mixed driving, which works out to roughly £1,137 per year at current petrol prices of 142p per litre (based on 7,400 miles per year).
What does it cost to own a 2018 VAUXHALL MERIVA?
Total estimated annual running cost is £1,587 (£132/month), broken down as £1137 fuel, £195 road tax, £55 MOT, and £200 predicted repairs. The low repair estimate reflects the excellent 94% pass rate. These cars rarely fail their MOT, so unexpected bills are less likely.
VAUXHALL MERIVA Reliability Trend
Newer VAUXHALL MERIVAs show better MOT pass rates than older ones, with an average improvement of 12 percentage points.
Buying a Used 2018 VAUXHALL MERIVA
At 8 years old, this is a solid used buy if you find one with good service history. Depreciation has levelled off, so you won't lose much more value. Focus on condition over mileage. If you're flexible on year, the 2017 model has the highest pass rate at 84%. Note: with only 33 tests in our data, these figures should be treated as indicative rather than definitive.
Common Issues to Watch For
Based on the 2018 VAUXHALL MERIVA's fuel type, age, and engine size, these are the most likely problem areas to check.
Suspension Wear
Medium riskShock absorbers, springs, and anti-roll bar links typically need attention around this age. Listen for clunks over bumps and check for uneven tyre wear.
Service History
Low riskAlways 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 2018 VAUXHALL MERIVA stacks up against similar cars for annual running costs, insurance, and tax.
| Car | Pass Rate | Fuel/yr | Tax/yr | Insurance | Total/yr |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| VAUXHALL MERIVA(2018) | 94% | £1137 | £195 | Grp 8-20 | £1587 |
| FORD FIESTA(2016) | 81% | £955 | £30 | Grp 1-8 | £1390-£197 |
| VAUXHALL CORSA(2016) | 81% | £1137 | £30 | Grp 8-20 | £1572-£15 |
| FORD FOCUS(2016) | 87% | £1137 | £135 | Grp 12-25 | £1677+£90 |
| NISSAN QASHQAI(2017) | 86% | £955 | £190 | Grp 5-15 | £1550-£37 |
Estimates based on 7,400 miles/year, current fuel prices, and MOT data. Insurance groups are indicative. Actual costs vary by driver, location, and usage.
Related Vauxhall Models
Explore other Vauxhall cars or similar models in the same category.
VAUXHALL CORSA
2015 · 1398cc Petrol
VAUXHALL ASTRA
2013 · 1700cc Diesel
VAUXHALL MOKKA
2015 · 1364cc Petrol
FORD FIESTA
2016 · 998cc Petrol
VAUXHALL CORSA
2016 · 1398cc Petrol
FORD FOCUS
2016 · 1596cc Petrol
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