At a Glance
The Vauxhall Meriva has 20 identified common problems across 2 generations, with the Meriva A (2003-2010) being the most affected generation and brakes the most common problem category. Based on 2.0M MOT tests from DVSA data.
Problems are patterns in the DVSA data that occur significantly more often on a specific model than the UK average — confirmed at 99% statistical confidence. Read our DVSA MOT data methodology →
Below: generation-by-generation comparison of Vauxhall Meriva common problems, MOT failure types, and pass-rate data drawn from DVSA records. Click any generation to see fuel- and engine-specific fault patterns, mileage-banded repair guidance, and the most common MOT failures testers record.
MOT Tests & Failures by Generation
Vauxhall Meriva generations by MOT tests, failures, and identified problems from DVSA data
Hover over each bar for a full breakdown. Tap any bar to view that generation's problems.
Showing total MOT tests, failures, and known problems per make. Hover over each bar for a full breakdown.
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Browse Vauxhall Meriva Generations
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Most Common Vauxhall Meriva MOT Failures
Every reason Vauxhall Meriva vehicles fail their MOT, ranked by frequency. Select an individual year to see only that year’s failures, or stay on ‘All time’ for the combined picture across our 20 years of DVSA data. Scroll inside the table for the full list.
| # | Failure | % of failures |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Coil spring broken or corroded | 7.86% |
| 2 | Suspension joint or bush worn | 7.28% |
| 3 | Tyre condition | 7.28% |
| 4 | Tyre tread depth below limit | 6.13% |
| 5 | Stop lamp not working | 5.92% |
| 6 | Brake hydraulic component worn | 5.31% |
| 7 | Track rod end worn | 4.73% |
| 8 | Exhaust system fault | 4.66% |
| 9 | Wiper blades deteriorated | 4.43% |
| 10 | Number plate lamp not working | 4.29% |
| 11 | Brake pads or linings worn | 3.76% |
| 12 | Windscreen washer not working | 3.51% |
| 13 | Rigid brake pipe corroded or damaged | 2.89% |
| 14 | Brake performance below minimum | 2.58% |
| 15 | Headlamp aim defect | 2.34% |
| 16 | Spark ignition emissions above threshold | 2.29% |
| 17 | Position lamp not working | 2.23% |
| 18 | Driveshaft fault | 2.21% |
| 19 | Brake disc or drum worn | 1.93% |
| 20 | Shock absorber worn or leaking | 1.45% |
| 21 | Ball joint dust cover split | 1.43% |
| 22 | Front lamp not working | 1.39% |
| 23 | Headlamp fault | 1.32% |
| 24 | Rear lamp not working | 0.95% |
| 25 | Parking brake performance below minimum | 0.78% |
| 26 | Catalytic converter efficiency low | 0.77% |
| 27 | Indicator fault | 0.68% |
| 28 | Battery loose or leaking | 0.67% |
| 29 | Seat belt condition | 0.60% |
| 30 | Windscreen damage affecting view | 0.59% |
| 31 | Flexible brake hose damaged | 0.43% |
| 32 | Mirror damaged or missing | 0.42% |
| 33 | Front suspension joint worn | 0.37% |
| 34 | Steering rack fault | 0.37% |
| 35 | Subframe corrosion or damage | 0.34% |
| 36 | Fog lamp not working | 0.30% |
| 37 | Horn not working | 0.29% |
| 38 | ABS fault | 0.27% |
| 39 | Tyre size or type not matched | 0.27% |
| 40 | Compression ignition emissions above threshold | 0.26% |
| 41 | Rear fog lamp not working | 0.22% |
| 42 | Engine oil leak | 0.21% |
| 43 | Parking brake condition | 0.20% |
| 44 | Steering free play excessive | 0.19% |
| 45 | Fuel cap damaged or missing | 0.18% |
| 46 | Suspension arm worn or corroded | 0.17% |
| 47 | Wheel bearing worn | 0.16% |
| 48 | Airbag warning light on | 0.16% |
| 49 | Tyre pressure monitoring system fault | 0.15% |
| 50 | Brake fluid leak | 0.14% |
| 51 | Brake pedal fault | 0.14% |
| 52 | Electronic stability control fault | 0.13% |
| 53 | Reversing lamp not working | 0.13% |
| 54 | Front suspension fault | 0.12% |
| 55 | Drag link end worn | 0.12% |
| 56 | Brake caliper fault | 0.12% |
| 57 | Suspension linkage fault | 0.11% |
| 58 | Steering arm worn | 0.10% |
| 59 | Rear reflector damaged or missing | 0.09% |
| 60 | Body corrosion or damage | 0.09% |
| 61 | Engine mounting worn or broken | 0.08% |
| 62 | Bumper damaged or insecure | 0.08% |
| 63 | King pin or swivel pin worn | 0.07% |
| 64 | Tyre valve stem damaged | 0.07% |
| 65 | Steering operation fault | 0.06% |
| 66 | Brake pedal movement restricted | 0.06% |
| 67 | MacPherson strut worn | 0.06% |
| 68 | Propshaft fault | 0.05% |
| 69 | Brake cable, rod, lever or linkage fault | 0.05% |
| 70 | Fuel pipe corroded or damaged | 0.05% |
| 71 | Rear suspension fault | 0.05% |
| 72 | Brake lever fault | 0.04% |
| 73 | Suspension mounting corroded | 0.04% |
| 74 | Headlamp levelling device fault | 0.04% |
| 75 | Brake fluid level low or contaminated | 0.04% |
| 76 | Electrical switch fault | 0.03% |
| 77 | Electric power steering fault | 0.03% |
| 78 | Anti-roll bar worn or corroded | 0.03% |
| 79 | Electrical wiring fault | 0.03% |
| 80 | Handbrake cable fault | 0.03% |
| 81 | Steering coupling worn | 0.03% |
| 82 | Chassis condition | 0.03% |
| 83 | Steering column fault | 0.02% |
| 84 | Vehicle structure corrosion | 0.02% |
| 85 | Exhaust leak | 0.02% |
| 86 | Handbrake lever fault | 0.02% |
| 87 | Brake back plate corroded or damaged | 0.02% |
| 88 | Power steering pipe or hose leaking | 0.02% |
| 89 | Power steering pump fault | 0.02% |
| 90 | Boot lid damaged or insecure | 0.01% |
| 91 | Driver door fault | 0.01% |
| 92 | Front passenger door fault | 0.01% |
| 93 | Electronic parking brake fault | 0.01% |
| 94 | Steering lock fault | 0.01% |
| 95 | Body security fault | 0.01% |
| 96 | Passenger seat fault | 0.01% |
| 97 | Bonnet catch or hinge fault | 0.01% |
| 98 | Subframe mounting corroded | <0.01% |
| 99 | Fuel tank corroded or leaking | <0.01% |
| 100 | Undertray damaged or missing | <0.01% |
| 101 | Bonded suspension condition | <0.01% |
| 102 | Dip switch fault | <0.01% |
| 103 | Fuel hose damaged or leaking | <0.01% |
| 104 | Brake air or vacuum system fault | <0.01% |
| 105 | Brake fluid reservoir fault | <0.01% |
| 106 | Towbar fault | <0.01% |
| 107 | Hydraulic brake cylinder fault | <0.01% |
| 108 | Brake fluid warning light on | <0.01% |
| 109 | Suspension unit fault | <0.01% |
| 110 | Steering wheel damaged or insecure | <0.01% |
| 111 | Driver airbag fault | <0.01% |
| 112 | Dashboard warning lamp fault | <0.01% |
| 113 | Universal joint worn | <0.01% |
| 114 | Hydraulic fluid leak | <0.01% |
| 115 | Tailgate damaged or insecure | <0.01% |
| 116 | Transmission oil leak | <0.01% |
| 117 | Mirror or camera fault | <0.01% |
| 118 | Steering shaft fault | <0.01% |
| 119 | Driver seat fault | <0.01% |
| 120 | Speedometer fault | <0.01% |
| 121 | Tie bar or rod worn or corroded | <0.01% |
| 122 | Power steering ram fault | <0.01% |
| 123 | Window damaged or won't operate | <0.01% |
| 124 | Exhaust heat shield or sound insulation damaged | <0.01% |
| 125 | Daytime running lamp not working | <0.01% |
| 126 | Brake servo fault | <0.01% |
| 127 | Suspension retaining or locking device fault | <0.01% |
| 128 | Electronic braking system fault | <0.01% |
| 129 | Rear fog lamp warning light fault | <0.01% |
| 130 | Reversing lamp switch fault | <0.01% |
| 131 | Seat belt pre-tensioner fault | <0.01% |
| 132 | Main beam warning light fault | <0.01% |
| 133 | Additional braking device fault | <0.01% |
| 134 | Steering intermediate drop arm worn | <0.01% |
| 135 | Steering box fault | <0.01% |
| 136 | Brake valve fault | <0.01% |
| 137 | Indicator warning light fault | <0.01% |
| 138 | Passenger airbag fault | <0.01% |
| 139 | Suspension linkage attachment bracket or mounting corroded | <0.01% |
| 140 | Seat belt anchorage fault | <0.01% |
| 141 | Seat belt or padding damaged | <0.01% |
| 142 | Outline marker lamp not working | <0.01% |
| 143 | Suspension rod worn or corroded | <0.01% |
| 144 | Axle corroded or damaged | <0.01% |
| 145 | Spare wheel fault | <0.01% |
| 146 | Exhaust emissions above threshold (non-catalyst) | <0.01% |
| 147 | Semaphore indicator fault | <0.01% |
| 148 | Front fog lamp not working | <0.01% |
| 149 | Brake master cylinder fault | <0.01% |
| 150 | Steering drive system fault | <0.01% |
| 151 | Vehicle floor corroded | <0.01% |
| 152 | Hazard warning light fault | <0.01% |
| 153 | Transmission drive belt fault | <0.01% |
| 154 | Body strengthening plate corroded | <0.01% |
| 155 | Leaf spring broken or corroded | <0.01% |
| 156 | Axle beam corroded or cracked | <0.01% |
| 157 | Torsion bar worn or corroded | <0.01% |
| 158 | Halfshaft fault | <0.01% |
| 159 | Loading door damaged or insecure | <0.01% |
| 160 | Brake pressure or vacuum buildup insufficient | <0.01% |
| 161 | Full power hydraulic brake fault | <0.01% |
| 162 | Passenger compartment corrosion | <0.01% |
| 163 | Brake relay lever fault | <0.01% |
| 164 | Handbrake mechanism or mounting fault | <0.01% |
| 165 | Wheel hub fault | <0.01% |
| 166 | Access panel damaged or insecure | <0.01% |
| 167 | Brake wheel cylinder fault | <0.01% |
| 168 | Spring mounting corroded | <0.01% |
| 169 | Stub axle worn | <0.01% |
| 170 | Speed limiter fault | <0.01% |
| 171 | Brake pedal linkage fault | <0.01% |
| 172 | Cab corrosion or damage | <0.01% |
| 173 | Headlamp washer not working | <0.01% |
| 174 | Steering damper fault | <0.01% |
| 175 | Steering lock stop fault | <0.01% |
| 176 | Air brake cylinder or actuator fault | <0.01% |
| 177 | Hand-operated brake valve condition | <0.01% |
| 178 | Handbrake fails on gradient | <0.01% |
| 179 | Hydraulic suspension accumulator fault | <0.01% |
| 180 | Load sensing valve fault | <0.01% |
| 181 | Panhard rod worn or corroded | <0.01% |
| 182 | Steering head bearings worn | <0.01% |
Showing all 182 reasons — scroll inside the table for the full list.
Vauxhall Meriva MOT Failures by Category
Total MOT failure occurrences for the Vauxhall Meriva, grouped by category. Same data as the failures table above — just sliced by category instead of fault title. Hover a slice for the top failures in each category.
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Frequently Asked Questions
What are the most common Vauxhall Meriva problems?
Based on analysis of 2.0M Vauxhall Meriva MOT tests from DVSA data, we have 20 identified common problems across 2 generations. The most frequently flagged issue is "Driveshaft fault". Brakes is the most common problem category.
Which Vauxhall Meriva generation has the most problems?
The Vauxhall Meriva Meriva A (2003-2010) (2003–2010) has the highest number of identified common problems (22). Click the generation card above for the full breakdown.
How is this data calculated?
We analyse anonymised DVSA MOT test records under the Open Government Licence. An issue is classified as a "Common Problem" when it occurs significantly more often on a specific model than the UK average, confirmed at 99% statistical confidence. Read the full methodology page for details.
Can I report a problem with my Vauxhall Meriva?
Yes — use the "Tell Us About Your Problem" form on this page. Your report helps other Vauxhall Meriva owners spot problems early. All submissions are reviewed before being added to the public database.
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