2008 Vauxhall Meriva diesel: common problems and MOT failures

What goes wrong more than usual on a 2008 Vauxhall Meriva diesel?

Parts flagged at MOT more often on the 2008 Vauxhall Meriva diesel than on all cars registered in 2008.

• Rigid brake pipes4.1× usual
  Vauxhall Meriva

  37.9% All 2008 cars

  9.3%

  Failed outright at MOT: 8.6%, against 1.7% of all 2008 cars. The rest were advisories or minor defects.

  Rough price £100–£400 our estimate

  At the viewing: Ask to see underneath, or check the MOT advisories: corroded brake or fuel pipes get worse every year and fail the MOT when they do.

• Shock absorbers3.5× usual
  Vauxhall Meriva

  25.9% All 2008 cars

  7.5%

  Failed outright at MOT: 6.1%, against 2.1% of all 2008 cars. The rest were advisories or minor defects.

  Rough price £200–£300 (pair, average rear to front) ClickMechanic

  At the viewing: Push down hard on each corner. It should bounce once and settle. Look for oil on the shock absorber body.

• Drive shaft (CV) joints2.3× usual
  Vauxhall Meriva

  15.2% All 2008 cars

  6.6%

  Failed outright at MOT: 6.8%, against 3% of all 2008 cars. The rest were advisories or minor defects.

  Rough price £60–£350 our estimate

  At the viewing: Drive slowly on full steering lock in both directions and listen for clicking. Look for split rubber boots behind the front wheels.

• Steering rack inner joints3.8× usual
  Vauxhall Meriva

  10.2% All 2008 cars

  2.7%

  Failed outright at MOT: 0%, against 0% of all 2008 cars. The rest were advisories or minor defects.

  Rough price £100–£450 our estimate

  At the viewing: On a straight road the steering wheel should sit straight. Listen for knocks when turning, and check the steering feels even.

• Track rod ends2.1× usual
  Vauxhall Meriva

  10.4% All 2008 cars

  5%

  Failed outright at MOT: 6.1%, against 2.4% of all 2008 cars. The rest were advisories or minor defects.

  Rough price £50–£150 (one end, plus about £30–£50 if it needs a wheel alignment) ClickMechanic

  At the viewing: On a straight road the steering wheel should sit straight. Listen for knocks when turning, and check the steering feels even.

Common 2008 Vauxhall Meriva diesel MOT failures and advisories

The share of 2008 Vauxhall Meriva diesel MOT tests where testers flagged each area, as a fail or an advisory. Rough prices are typical independent-garage costs.

• Brakes
  59% of testsRough price £150–£350

  At the viewing: Look for a lip on the disc edges and feel for judder or pulling when braking firmly from about 40mph.

• Suspension
  58% of testsRough price £120–£400

  At the viewing: Listen for knocks over speed bumps, and look behind each front wheel for a snapped coil spring.

• Tyres
  40% of testsRough price £70–£150

  At the viewing: Check the tread on all four tyres, including the inside edges, and look for cracks or bulges.

• Lights and electrics
  36% of testsRough price £10–£80

  At the viewing: Ask a friend to check every light, including brake lights and indicators, while you operate them.

• Oil and fluid leaks
  17% of testsRough price £80–£600

  At the viewing: Look under the engine and on the ground where the car is usually parked for fresh oil or fluid.

• Exhaust and emissions
  16% of testsRough price £100–£1,200

  At the viewing: Look for black soot in the tailpipe, listen for blowing from the exhaust and check for engine or DPF warning lights.

Questions to ask the seller before buying a 2008 Vauxhall Meriva diesel

Ask before you travel to see it. A seller who knows the car will have answers, and receipts.

1. Any recent work on the rigid brake pipes? (Flagged at MOT 4.1× as often on the 2008 Vauxhall Meriva diesel as on other cars the same age.)
2. Any recent work on the shock absorbers? (Flagged at MOT 3.5× as often on the 2008 Vauxhall Meriva diesel as on other cars the same age.)
3. Any recent work on the drive shaft (cv) joints? (Flagged at MOT 2.3× as often on the 2008 Vauxhall Meriva diesel as on other cars the same age.)
4. Can I see the service history and receipts for any big jobs?