2012 Vauxhall Meriva petrol: common problems and MOT failures

What goes wrong more than usual on a 2012 Vauxhall Meriva petrol?

Parts flagged at MOT more often on the 2012 Vauxhall Meriva petrol than on all cars registered in 2012.

• Engine oil leaks3.7× usual
  Vauxhall Meriva

  21.6% All 2012 cars

  5.9%

  Failed outright at MOT: 0.3%, against 0.1% of all 2012 cars. The rest were advisories or minor defects.

  Rough price £80–£600 our estimate

  At the viewing: Look under the engine and where the car is usually parked for fresh oil. Ask whether the leak has been looked at.

• Coil springs1.9× usual
  Vauxhall Meriva

  15.9% All 2012 cars

  8.4%

  Failed outright at MOT: 9.4%, against 3.8% of all 2012 cars. The rest were advisories or minor defects.

  Rough price £175–£400 (pair, one axle) ClickMechanic

  At the viewing: Look behind each wheel for a snapped spring coil, and listen for a clunk or twang when turning the wheel lock to lock with the car stopped.

• Suspension arm3.7× usual
  Vauxhall Meriva

  7% All 2012 cars

  1.9%

  Failed outright at MOT: 0.9%, against 0.2% of all 2012 cars. The rest were advisories or minor defects.

  Rough price £120–£180 (one arm) ClickMechanic

  At the viewing: Listen for clunks over bumps and feel for the steering wandering. Worn arm bushes show as cracked rubber near the wheels.

• Exhaust system2× usual
  Vauxhall Meriva

  9.8% All 2012 cars

  5%

  Failed outright at MOT: 1.4%, against 1.4% of all 2012 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.

• Coolant leak5.5× usual
  Vauxhall Meriva

  2.2% All 2012 cars

  0.4%

  Failed outright at MOT: 0%, against 0% of all 2012 cars. The rest were advisories or minor defects.

  Rough price £80–£500 our estimate

  At the viewing: Check the coolant level is between the marks and look for dried crust around hoses and the radiator.

Common 2012 Vauxhall Meriva petrol MOT failures and advisories

The share of 2012 Vauxhall Meriva petrol MOT tests where testers flagged each area, as a fail or an advisory. Rough prices are typical independent-garage costs.

• Tyres
  34% 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.

• Suspension
  32% 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
  26% 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.

• Oil and fluid leaks
  23% 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.

• Lights and electrics
  16% 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
  11% 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 an engine warning light.

Known faults on the 2012 Vauxhall Meriva petrol

Reported by owners, mechanics and buying guides for this model and age. Check which engine the car has, as some apply to one engine only.

• Seat bolt, airbag and seatbelt recalls

  All engines

  Recalls covered passenger seat bolts of the wrong spec that could fail in a crash, faulty passenger airbags, seatbelt pre-tensioners and a wiring loom that could chafe on the gearbox.

  At the viewing: Ask a Vauxhall dealer to check the VIN for outstanding recalls.

  Source: Haynes: Vauxhall Meriva common problems (2010-2017)

• Oil leak between engine and gearbox

  All engines

  Badly tapped flywheel bolt holes can let oil leak where the engine meets the gearbox.

  At the viewing: Look under the car between the engine and gearbox for oil.

  Source: Haynes: Vauxhall Meriva common problems (2010-2017)

• Loss of power with warning light

  All engines

  A faulty accelerator pedal sensor (code P2138) brings on the engine light and cuts the power.

  At the viewing: Make sure there are no warning lights and the car responds smoothly.

  Source: Haynes: Vauxhall Meriva common problems (2010-2017)

• Cranks but won’t start

  All engines

  A faulty electric power steering pump can stop the engine starting even though it turns over.

  At the viewing: Make sure it starts first time, every time.

  Source: Haynes: Vauxhall Meriva common problems (2010-2017)

• Rattle from the front over bumps

  All engines

  The front anti-roll bar nuts can work loose.

  At the viewing: Drive over bumps and listen.

  Source: Haynes: Vauxhall Meriva common problems (2010-2017)

• Daytime running lights playing up

  All engines

  A faulty headlight unit can make the daytime running lights work on and off.

  At the viewing: Check both daytime lights.

  Source: Haynes: Vauxhall Meriva common problems (2010-2017)

Questions to ask the seller before buying a 2012 Vauxhall Meriva petrol

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

1. Have all the recalls been done? Can a Vauxhall dealer confirm from the VIN?
2. Any recent work on the engine oil leaks? (Flagged at MOT 3.7× as often on the 2012 Vauxhall Meriva petrol as on other cars the same age.)
3. Any recent work on the coil springs? (Flagged at MOT 1.9× as often on the 2012 Vauxhall Meriva petrol as on other cars the same age.)
4. Any recent work on the suspension arm? (Flagged at MOT 3.7× as often on the 2012 Vauxhall Meriva petrol as on other cars the same age.)
5. Can I see the service history and receipts for any big jobs?