2017 Vauxhall Meriva diesel: common problems and MOT failures
What MOT testers find on the diesel Vauxhall Meriva first registered in 2017 (diesel cars only): we looked at the 248 MOTs these cars had during 2023–2025. Plus known faults and what to look at before you buy one.
Small sample: there were only 248 MOTs of these cars during 2023–2025, so treat the percentages as rough. The known faults below don't depend on it.
What goes wrong more than usual on a 2017 Vauxhall Meriva diesel?
Parts flagged at MOT more often on the 2017 Vauxhall Meriva diesel than on all cars registered in 2017.
- Coil springs8.3× usualVauxhall Meriva16.5% All 2017 cars2%
Failed outright at MOT: 15.3%, against 1.5% of all 2017 cars. The rest were advisories or minor defects.
Rough price £175–£400 (pair, one axle) ClickMechanicAt 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.
Common 2017 Vauxhall Meriva diesel MOT failures and advisories
The share of 2017 Vauxhall Meriva diesel MOT tests where testers flagged each area, as a fail or an advisory. Rough prices are typical independent-garage costs.
- Tyres30% 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.
- Suspension25% 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.
- Brakes19% 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.
- Lights and electrics12% 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 leaks4% 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.
- Wipers, windscreen and mirrors4% of testsRough price £15–£250
At the viewing: Check for chips in the driver's view, and test the wipers and washers.
Known faults on the 2017 Vauxhall Meriva diesel
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.
- All engines
Seat bolt, airbag and seatbelt recalls
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.
- All engines
Oil leak between engine and gearbox
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.
- All engines
Loss of power with warning light
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.
- All engines
Cranks but won’t start
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.
- All engines
Rattle from the front over bumps
The front anti-roll bar nuts can work loose.
At the viewing: Drive over bumps and listen.
- All engines
Daytime running lights playing up
A faulty headlight unit can make the daytime running lights work on and off.
At the viewing: Check both daytime lights.
Questions to ask the seller before buying a 2017 Vauxhall Meriva diesel
Ask before you travel to see it. A seller who knows the car will have answers, and receipts.
- Have all the recalls been done? Can a Vauxhall dealer confirm from the VIN?
- Any recent work on the coil springs? (Flagged at MOT 8.3× as often on the 2017 Vauxhall Meriva diesel as on other cars the same age.)
- Can I see the service history and receipts for any big jobs?
Looking at a Vauxhall Meriva?
Check the actual car: its own MOT history, mileage and what to ask the seller. Free, no sign-up.
Other years
Every year of the Vauxhall Meriva compared
| Year | MOT tests | Most flagged |
|---|---|---|
| 2018 | – | Too few tests |
| 2016 | 19,292 | Tyres 30% |
| 2015 | 24,502 | Tyres 31% |
| 2014 | 22,561 | Tyres 32% |
| 2013 | 23,097 | Tyres 33% |
| 2012 | 26,392 | Tyres 35% |
| 2011 | 43,299 | Suspension 38% |
| 2010 | 29,016 | Suspension 43% |
| 2009 | 15,671 | Suspension 52% |
| 2008 | 15,640 | Suspension 55% |
| 2007 | 14,035 | Brakes 54% |
| 2006 | 11,611 | Brakes 56% |
| 2005 | 7,220 | Brakes 56% |
| 2004 | 5,314 | Brakes 57% |
| 2003 | 1,113 | Brakes 57% |
Where this comes from: the DVSA's anonymised results for every MOT test done in Great Britain during 2023–2025, counting the MOTs of Vauxhall Meriva cars first registered in 2017. "Flagged" includes advisories, so it isn't the same as a fail rate. How we score