Vauxhall Vivaro Reliability and Common Problems
What the Vauxhall Vivaro fails its MOT on, with rough repair costs, and its MOT pass rate for each model year. Based on 324,776 MOT tests across 20 model years (DVSA data for tests carried out in 2024, retests included).
Segment: family car | Fuel: Diesel, Petrol
72%
Vauxhall Vivaro pass rate
84%
Vauxhall average
82%
All-model average
The Vauxhall Vivaro has an average MOT pass rate of 72%, which is 12 points below the Vauxhall average and 10 points below the average across all models in our data. Newer Vauxhall Vivaros pass their MOT more often than older ones, by 7 percentage points on average, which is mostly down to age and wear.
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What the Vauxhall Vivaro Fails Its MOT On
Of the 67,251 MOT tests on the Vauxhall Vivaro that failed at the first attempt in 2025, the share that failed on each part of the test, next to the share for all cars and vans of the same ages. A test that failed on two areas counts in both.
Suspension
50%Cars and vans the same age: 34% (the Vivaro fails on this more often) · Typical repair £150-£600
Lights and electrics
43%Cars and vans the same age: 39% · Typical repair £15-£200
Brakes
32%Cars and vans the same age: 23% (the Vivaro fails on this more often) · Typical repair £80-£450
Steering
29%Cars and vans the same age: 7.5% (the Vivaro fails on this more often) · Typical repair £100-£500
Windscreen, wipers and mirrors
16%Cars and vans the same age: 15% · Typical repair £10-£350
The 3 single faults it failed on most
- Track rod end: ball joint has excessive play (24% of failed tests, steering)
- Suspension arm ball joint excessively worn (12% of failed tests, suspension)
- Position lamp: not working (11% of failed tests, lights and electrics)
Source: CarCostCheck analysis of DVSA anonymised MOT test results and failure items for 2025: first attempt at each MOT, fail and pass-after-repair defects, DVSA's defect categories (names shortened). Repair costs are rough UK ranges, not quotes. Method and national figures: MOT failure reasons 2025.
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Vauxhall Vivaro Reliability by Year
MOT pass rate for each model year, from DVSA data for tests carried out in 2024 (retests included). Newer cars usually pass more often simply because they are younger. Highest and lowest are marked among years with 100+ tests that were at least three years old when tested. Fuel and engine size are a guide only.
| Year | Fuel | Engine | Pass Rate | Fail Rate |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2020 | Diesel | 2.0L | 88% | 12% |
| 2019 | Diesel | 1.6L | 80% | 19% |
| 2018 | Diesel | 1.6L | 78% | 21% |
| 2017 | Diesel | 1.6L | 75% | 24% |
| 2016 | Diesel | 1.6L | 75% | 25% |
| 2015 | Diesel | 1.6L | 74% | 26% |
| 2014 | Diesel | 2.0L | 72% | 27% |
| 2013 | Diesel | 2.0L | 70% | 29% |
| 2012 | Diesel | 2.0L | 69% | 31% |
| 2011 | Diesel | 1.9L | 68% | 31% |
| 2010 | Diesel | 1.9L | 67% | 32% |
| 2009 | Diesel | 1.9L | 68% | 32% |
| 2008 | Diesel | 1.9L | 68% | 31% |
| 2007 | Diesel | 2.0L | 68% | 32% |
| 2006 | Diesel | 1.9L | 67% | 32% |
| 2005 | Diesel | 1.9L | 68% | 31% |
| 2004 | Diesel | 1.9L | 67% | 31% |
| 2003 | Petrol | 1.9L | 67% | 32% |
| 2002 | Diesel | 1.9L | 67% | 31% |
| 2001 | Diesel | 1.9L | 73% | 26% |
Lowest Pass Rate
2006
67% pass rate from 15,910 tests
Level with 2002, 2003, 2004 and 2010
View 2006 Vauxhall Vivaro detailsVauxhall Vivaro Running Costs
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Vauxhall Vivaro FAQ
What are the most common Vauxhall Vivaro problems?
In 2025, MOT tests on the Vauxhall Vivaro that failed at the first attempt most often failed on suspension (50% of the 67,251 failed tests), lights and electrics (43%) and brakes (32%). The single most common fault was "Track rod end: ball joint has excessive play" (24%). Across 324,776 MOT tests (DVSA MOT data for tests in 2024, retests included), 72% ended in a pass.
Is the Vauxhall Vivaro reliable?
The Vauxhall Vivaro has an average MOT pass rate of 72%, from 324,776 MOT tests. That is 10 points below the average across all models in our data (82%), so budget for potential repairs. Pass rates fall as cars age, so compare it with cars of a similar age.
Which year Vauxhall Vivaro is the most reliable?
Of the years with at least 100 tests that were old enough for a routine MOT, the 2020 Vauxhall Vivaro has the highest MOT pass rate: 88% of its 110 tests ended in a pass. The 2006 has the lowest at 67%. The 2002, 2003, 2004 and 2010 are level on 67%. Newer cars usually pass more often simply because they are younger, so the pass rate is only part of the picture.
How much does it cost to fix common Vauxhall Vivaro faults?
As a rough guide, brake work on a Vauxhall Vivaro typically costs £80-£450 and suspension repairs £150-£600, while exhaust and emissions fixes can cost £80-£800. Lighting and wiper fixes are usually under £200.
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Other Vauxhall Models
Common problems pages for other Vauxhall models