Used car guide · 2003–2018

Vauxhall Meriva common problems and MOT failures

What goes wrong on a used Vauxhall Meriva, year by year: known faults from UK buying guides, the parts flagged at MOT more than on other cars (from 272,067 MOTs done during 2023–2025), and what to check before you buy one.

The 2018 Vauxhall Meriva

Too few Vauxhall Meriva cars first registered in 2018 had an MOT during 2025 for reliable MOT figures. There are no known faults on record for this year in the UK buying guides we use, so the rest of this page covers the Vauxhall Meriva as a whole.

27on the UK register at the end of 2025
Petrolfuel type
What to check on a 2018 car
  • MOT history

    Check the reg below: its MOT history shows what has been failed or advised, and whether the mileage adds up.

  • Service history

    Look for regular servicing and receipts for big jobs like a cambelt or clutch.

  • Finance and write-offs

    MOT records don’t show outstanding finance or insurance write-offs. A history check does.

  • Test drive

    Listen for knocks over bumps, check every warning light goes out, and make sure the gears and brakes feel right.

Other years

Most years have their own guide. The year is when the car was first registered (it’s on the logbook, or check the reg below).

2018201720162015201420132012201120102009200820072006200520042003

What usually goes wrong with a Vauxhall Meriva?

Known faults reported by owners, mechanics and UK buying guides, in our own words. Most apply to certain years or engines only, so check which the car has.

  • Seat bolt, airbag and seatbelt recalls

    Cars registered 2010–2017 · 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

    Cars registered 2010–2017 · 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

    Cars registered 2010–2017 · 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

    Cars registered 2010–2017 · 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

    Cars registered 2010–2017 · 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

    Cars registered 2010–2017 · 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)

Common Vauxhall Meriva MOT failures to check

Parts flagged at MOT well above the usual rate for cars the same age, for each fuel on its own. From the DVSA’s results for every MOT done in Great Britain during 2023–2025.

Petrol

  • Exhaust system

    up to 3.3× usual

    Stands out on cars registered in 2004, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2008, 2009, 2010, 2012, 2013, 2014, 2015 and 2016.

    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.

  • Rigid brake pipes

    up to 3.8× usual

    Stands out on cars registered in 2004, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2008, 2009 and 2010.

    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.

  • Engine oil leaks

    up to 3.7× usual

    Stands out on cars registered in 2009, 2010, 2011, 2012, 2013, 2014 and 2015.

    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 springs

    up to 3.5× usual

    Stands out on cars registered in 2010, 2011, 2012, 2013, 2014, 2015 and 2016.

    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.

  • Steering rack inner joints

    up to 4.8× usual

    Stands out on cars registered in 2004, 2005, 2006, 2008, 2009 and 2010.

    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.

  • Shock absorbers

    up to 3.7× usual

    Stands out on cars registered in 2004, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2008 and 2009.

    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.

Diesel

  • Coil springs

    up to 4.4× usual

    Stands out on cars registered in 2006, 2010, 2011, 2012, 2013, 2014, 2015 and 2016.

    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.

  • Engine oil leaks

    up to 2.5× usual

    Stands out on cars registered in 2011, 2012, 2013, 2014, 2015 and 2016.

    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.

  • Steering swivel joints

    up to 5× usual

    Stands out on cars registered in 2010, 2011, 2012, 2013 and 2014.

    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.

  • Rigid brake pipes

    up to 4.3× usual

    Stands out on cars registered in 2005, 2006, 2007, 2008 and 2009.

    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 absorbers

    up to 3.5× usual

    Stands out on cars registered in 2005, 2006, 2007, 2008 and 2009.

    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.

  • Suspension arm

    up to 3.3× usual

    Stands out on cars registered in 2011, 2012, 2013 and 2014.

    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.

Vauxhall Meriva MOT pass rate by year

Of the years since 2005 with plenty of MOT tests, the 2012 Vauxhall Meriva did best (67% passed first time, 3 points above all 2012 cars) and the 2005 did worst (46%, 11 points below all 2005 cars). Older cars fail more, so compare each year with all cars registered the same year.

YearPass first timeAll cars that yearMOT tests
201777%80% -313,304
201675%77% -219,292
201572%74% -224,502
201471%70% +122,561
201366%67% -123,097
201267%64% +326,392
201164%62% +243,299
201058%60% -229,016
200951%59% -815,671
200849%57% -815,640
200748%57% -914,035
200647%56% -911,611
200546%57% -117,220
200447%57% -105,314
200349%57% -81,113

Questions to ask the seller before buying a Vauxhall Meriva

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 exhaust system? (Flagged at MOT 3.2× as often on the Vauxhall Meriva as on other cars the same age.)
  3. Any recent work on the coil springs? (Flagged at MOT 5× as often on the Vauxhall Meriva as on other cars the same age.)
  4. Any recent work on the rigid brake pipes? (Flagged at MOT 3.8× as often on the Vauxhall Meriva as on other cars the same age.)
  5. 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, whether it already shows these weak spots and what to ask the seller. Free, no sign-up.

Where this comes from: MOT figures are the DVSA’s anonymised results for every MOT test done in Great Britain during 2023–2025, grouped by the year each car was first registered. How many are on the road is from the Department for Transport’s vehicle licensing statistics. Known faults are from UK buying guides, in our own words, with links. How we score