2009 Vauxhall Meriva diesel: common problems and MOT failures

What goes wrong more than usual on a 2009 Vauxhall Meriva diesel?

Parts flagged at MOT more often on the 2009 Vauxhall Meriva diesel than on all cars registered in 2009.

• Rigid brake pipes4.3× usual
  Vauxhall Meriva

  30.5% All 2009 cars

  7.1%

  Failed outright at MOT: 6.6%, against 1.2% of all 2009 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

  24.8% All 2009 cars

  7.1%

  Failed outright at MOT: 6.5%, against 2% of all 2009 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.

• Exhaust system2.5× usual
  Vauxhall Meriva

  19.3% All 2009 cars

  7.8%

  Failed outright at MOT: 4.1%, against 2.2% of all 2009 cars. The rest were advisories or minor defects.

  Rough price £100–£500 (pipe or section) ClickMechanic

  At the viewing: Listen for blowing or rattling from underneath at idle, and look for black soot around joints.

• Steering rack inner joints4.2× usual
  Vauxhall Meriva

  9.3% All 2009 cars

  2.2%

  Failed outright at MOT: 0%, against 0% of all 2009 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.

• Battery8.2× usual
  Vauxhall Meriva

  6.6% All 2009 cars

  0.8%

  Failed outright at MOT: 1%, against 0.2% of all 2009 cars. The rest were advisories or minor defects.

  Rough price £80–£200 our estimate

  At the viewing: Check the car starts cleanly and there are no warning lights once running.

Common 2009 Vauxhall Meriva diesel MOT failures and advisories

The share of 2009 Vauxhall Meriva diesel MOT tests where testers flagged each area, as a fail or an advisory. Rough prices are typical independent-garage costs.

• Suspension
  57% 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.

• Brakes
  55% 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.

• Tyres
  44% 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
  37% of testsRough price £10–£80

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

• Exhaust and emissions
  21% 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.

• Wipers, windscreen and mirrors
  13% of testsRough price £15–£250

  At the viewing: Check for chips in the driver's view, and test the wipers and washers.

Questions to ask the seller before buying a 2009 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 4.3× as often on the 2009 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 2009 Vauxhall Meriva diesel as on other cars the same age.)
3. Any recent work on the exhaust system? (Flagged at MOT 2.5× as often on the 2009 Vauxhall Meriva diesel as on other cars the same age.)
4. Can I see the service history and receipts for any big jobs?