Vauxhall Vivaro: what fails at MOT
262,000 MOT tests on the Vauxhall Vivaro in 2024, counted. 42.1% failed at the first attempt.
The short answer
42.1% of Vauxhall Vivaro tests failed at the first attempt. Cars of the same ages averaged 27%, so the Vivaro does worse than most cars its age.
It fails most often on suspension (13.5% of tests), lights and electrics (12.8% of tests) and brakes (9.6% of tests). It fails on suspension, lights and electrics and brakes more often than most cars its age.
By year of registration
Older cars fail more, whatever the model. So each year is shown beside the figure for all cars first used that year.
| First used | Tests | Failed first time | All cars that year | Typical mileage |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2021 | 15,277 | 24.7% | 10.9% | 44,300 31,100 to 57,900 |
| 2020 | 12,843 | 24.0% | 11.5% | 56,600 41,100 to 73,700 |
| 2019 | 14,228 | 27.0% | 13.4% | 65,200 47,300 to 87,000 |
| 2018 | 16,723 | 31.8% | 15.6% | 73,400 52,400 to 99,400 |
| 2017 | 17,818 | 37.2% | 18.2% | 86,800 61,700 to 116,300 |
| 2016 | 27,209 | 38.3% | 21.3% | 89,500 64,500 to 121,600 |
| 2015 | 31,485 | 40.6% | 24.4% | 105,800 80,200 to 136,000 |
| 2014 | 18,253 | 45.2% | 27.7% | 112,900 85,000 to 147,100 |
| 2013 | 14,670 | 48.8% | 30.6% | 129,100 99,300 to 162,000 |
| 2012 | 12,620 | 52.1% | 33.4% | 135,300 104,500 to 169,100 |
| 2011 | 14,986 | 53.0% | 36.1% | 142,200 112,500 to 174,000 |
| 2010 | 9,238 | 54.8% | 38.6% | 146,900 116,800 to 178,900 |
| 2009 | 5,788 | 53.1% | 39.8% | 146,200 115,900 to 177,300 |
| 2008 | 12,355 | 52.9% | 41.5% | 153,300 123,700 to 183,000 |
| 2007 | 12,640 | 52.8% | 41.5% | 149,000 122,200 to 179,800 |
| 2006 | 11,186 | 52.9% | 42.4% | 151,600 123,600 to 181,100 |
| 2005 | 8,827 | 49.5% | 42.2% | 151,900 124,400 to 181,600 |
| 2004 | 5,898 | 51.4% | 42.3% | 158,500 128,800 to 186,100 |
Green is at least three points better than other cars that year, red at least three points worse. Typical mileage is the middle reading at the test, with the range the middle half of cars fell in.
Where it fails
The share of Vauxhall Vivaro tests with at least one failure in each part of the MOT, beside what cars of the same ages average.
| Part of the test | Vivaro | Cars its age | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Suspension | 13.5% | 6.0% | More than most |
| Lights and electrics | 12.8% | 7.4% | More than most |
| Brakes | 9.6% | 4.5% | More than most |
| Steering | 8.1% | 1.3% | More than most |
| Wipers, washers and windscreen | 5.4% | 3.0% | More than most |
| Tyres | 4.1% | 4.3% | |
| Exhaust and emissions | 3.7% | 2.1% | More than most |
| Body and structure | 3.5% | 2.3% | More than most |
The parts that fail most
- Track rod end7.7%
- Ball joint4.7%
- Brake test3.7%
- Side light3.5%
- Number plate light2.9%
- Linkage ball joints2.9%
- Tyre2.9%
- Brake light2.8%
- Engine warning light2.8%
- Headlamp aim2.6%
Share of tests with a failure on that part.
The most common failures
- Track rod end: ball joint has excessive play6.9%
- Ball joint: excessively worn4.4%
- Side light: not working3.2%
- Linkage ball joints: ball joint excessively worn2.8%
- Engine warning light: inoperative or indicates a malfunction2.8%
- Number plate light: inoperative in the case of a single lamp or all lamps2.6%
- Brake test: efficiency below requirements2.5%
- Wipers: does not clear the windscreen effectively2.5%
- Brake light: not working2.4%
- Brake pads: less than 1.5 mm thick2.4%
What testers warn about
Advisories are things that passed this time but are wearing. They are the best guide to next year's bills.
- Tyre tread: worn close to legal limit/worn on edge11.6%
- Brake discs: worn, pitted or scored, but not seriously weakened8.7%
- Brake pads: wearing thin7.0%
- Brake pipes: corroded, covered in grease or other material6.4%
- Engine oil: leak, but not excessive6.2%
- Track rod end: ball joint has slight play4.2%
- Suspension pins and bushes: pin or bush worn but not resulting in excessive movement4.2%
- Shock absorbers: has light misting of oil3.9%
What these figures can't tell you
An MOT is a safety and emissions test. These figures show how often the model fails that test. They say nothing about engines, gearboxes or electronics that break between tests, and how a car has been looked after matters more than its badge. The car you are looking at has its own MOT record, and that is the one to read.
Ask before you travel
- “Have any suspension parts been replaced, such as springs, ball joints or bushes, and can I see the invoice?”
- “Do all the lights work, including the number plate lights and brake lights?”
- “When were the brake pads and discs last changed?”
- “Is there any play, knocking or stiffness in the steering?”
Check a Vauxhall Vivaro's own MOT record
Type the registration from the advert. You'll see every test that car has had, what it failed on and what it was warned about, free.
Where this comes from
DVSA anonymised MOT tests and results, 2024, published by the Driver and Vehicle Standards Agency. Contains public sector information licensed under the Open Government Licence v3.0. The counting is Hindsight's own.
First-attempt MOT tests of cars first used 2004 to 2021. A test counts as failed if it failed or only passed after a repair during the test. Retests are left out. Built on 13 November 2026.