At a Glance
The Vauxhall Vivaro has 57 identified common problems across 3 generations, with the Vivaro A (2001-2014) being the most affected generation and brakes the most common problem category. Based on 2.5M 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 Vivaro 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 Vivaro 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 Vivaro Generations
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Most Common Vauxhall Vivaro MOT Failures
Every reason Vauxhall Vivaro 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 | Suspension joint or bush worn | 9.19% |
| 2 | Wiper blades deteriorated | 7.53% |
| 3 | Stop lamp not working | 5.90% |
| 4 | Number plate lamp not working | 5.28% |
| 5 | Brake pads or linings worn | 5.21% |
| 6 | Windscreen washer not working | 5.05% |
| 7 | Brake performance below minimum | 4.41% |
| 8 | Tyre condition | 4.41% |
| 9 | Position lamp not working | 4.40% |
| 10 | Tyre tread depth below limit | 4.29% |
| 11 | Front lamp not working | 4.09% |
| 12 | Driveshaft fault | 2.88% |
| 13 | Coil spring broken or corroded | 2.80% |
| 14 | Shock absorber worn or leaking | 2.57% |
| 15 | Track rod end worn | 2.55% |
| 16 | Rigid brake pipe corroded or damaged | 2.48% |
| 17 | Brake disc or drum worn | 2.00% |
| 18 | Windscreen damage affecting view | 1.99% |
| 19 | Headlamp aim defect | 1.88% |
| 20 | Headlamp fault | 1.80% |
| 21 | Ball joint dust cover split | 1.79% |
| 22 | Parking brake performance below minimum | 1.64% |
| 23 | Rear fog lamp not working | 0.86% |
| 24 | Seat belt condition | 0.85% |
| 25 | MacPherson strut worn | 0.80% |
| 26 | Compression ignition emissions above threshold | 0.75% |
| 27 | Wheel bearing worn | 0.73% |
| 28 | Rear lamp not working | 0.67% |
| 29 | Fog lamp not working | 0.66% |
| 30 | ABS fault | 0.60% |
| 31 | Spark ignition emissions above threshold | 0.58% |
| 32 | Brake hydraulic component worn | 0.58% |
| 33 | Airbag warning light on | 0.56% |
| 34 | Mirror damaged or missing | 0.50% |
| 35 | Horn not working | 0.42% |
| 36 | Steering rack fault | 0.42% |
| 37 | Front suspension joint worn | 0.42% |
| 38 | Front suspension fault | 0.40% |
| 39 | Exhaust system fault | 0.37% |
| 40 | Parking brake condition | 0.35% |
| 41 | Brake pedal fault | 0.32% |
| 42 | Indicator fault | 0.29% |
| 43 | Rear suspension fault | 0.27% |
| 44 | Tyre size or type not matched | 0.26% |
| 45 | Chassis condition | 0.23% |
| 46 | Vehicle structure corrosion | 0.20% |
| 47 | Flexible brake hose damaged | 0.17% |
| 48 | Handbrake cable fault | 0.17% |
| 49 | Engine oil leak | 0.16% |
| 50 | Suspension linkage fault | 0.15% |
| 51 | Rear reflector damaged or missing | 0.14% |
| 52 | Suspension mounting corroded | 0.13% |
| 53 | Engine mounting worn or broken | 0.13% |
| 54 | Reversing lamp not working | 0.11% |
| 55 | Electrical switch fault | 0.10% |
| 56 | Steering free play excessive | 0.10% |
| 57 | King pin or swivel pin worn | 0.09% |
| 58 | Brake caliper fault | 0.09% |
| 59 | Brake pedal movement restricted | 0.09% |
| 60 | Brake cable, rod, lever or linkage fault | 0.08% |
| 61 | Bumper damaged or insecure | 0.08% |
| 62 | Body corrosion or damage | 0.08% |
| 63 | Drag link end worn | 0.08% |
| 64 | Electronic stability control fault | 0.07% |
| 65 | Headlamp levelling device fault | 0.07% |
| 66 | Handbrake lever fault | 0.07% |
| 67 | Tyre valve stem damaged | 0.07% |
| 68 | Brake lever fault | 0.06% |
| 69 | Brake fluid level low or contaminated | 0.06% |
| 70 | Power steering pipe or hose leaking | 0.06% |
| 71 | Fuel cap damaged or missing | 0.05% |
| 72 | Power steering pump fault | 0.05% |
| 73 | Steering operation fault | 0.05% |
| 74 | Electrical wiring fault | 0.05% |
| 75 | Propshaft fault | 0.05% |
| 76 | Front passenger door fault | 0.05% |
| 77 | Driver door fault | 0.05% |
| 78 | Bonnet catch or hinge fault | 0.04% |
| 79 | Undertray damaged or missing | 0.04% |
| 80 | Suspension arm worn or corroded | 0.04% |
| 81 | Driver seat fault | 0.04% |
| 82 | Fuel tank corroded or leaking | 0.04% |
| 83 | Steering arm worn | 0.04% |
| 84 | Fuel pipe corroded or damaged | 0.04% |
| 85 | Subframe mounting corroded | 0.04% |
| 86 | Battery loose or leaking | 0.04% |
| 87 | Anti-roll bar worn or corroded | 0.03% |
| 88 | Passenger seat fault | 0.03% |
| 89 | Brake fluid leak | 0.03% |
| 90 | Spare wheel fault | 0.03% |
| 91 | Tyre pressure monitoring system fault | 0.03% |
| 92 | Driver airbag fault | 0.02% |
| 93 | Towbar fault | 0.02% |
| 94 | Dashboard warning lamp fault | 0.02% |
| 95 | Rear fog lamp warning light fault | 0.02% |
| 96 | Steering lock fault | 0.02% |
| 97 | Body security fault | 0.02% |
| 98 | Exhaust leak | 0.02% |
| 99 | Brake fluid warning light on | 0.02% |
| 100 | Steering column fault | 0.02% |
| 101 | Brake fluid reservoir fault | 0.02% |
| 102 | Front fog lamp not working | 0.02% |
| 103 | Subframe corrosion or damage | 0.01% |
| 104 | Suspension unit fault | 0.01% |
| 105 | Universal joint worn | 0.01% |
| 106 | Window damaged or won't operate | 0.01% |
| 107 | Mirror or camera fault | 0.01% |
| 108 | Dip switch fault | 0.01% |
| 109 | Main beam warning light fault | <0.01% |
| 110 | Speedometer fault | <0.01% |
| 111 | Transmission oil leak | <0.01% |
| 112 | Steering wheel damaged or insecure | <0.01% |
| 113 | Daytime running lamp not working | <0.01% |
| 114 | Fuel hose damaged or leaking | <0.01% |
| 115 | Power steering ram fault | <0.01% |
| 116 | Suspension rod worn or corroded | <0.01% |
| 117 | Bonded suspension condition | <0.01% |
| 118 | Loading door damaged or insecure | <0.01% |
| 119 | Suspension linkage attachment bracket or mounting corroded | <0.01% |
| 120 | Hydraulic fluid leak | <0.01% |
| 121 | Catalytic converter efficiency low | <0.01% |
| 122 | Passenger airbag fault | <0.01% |
| 123 | Steering drive system fault | <0.01% |
| 124 | Electronic braking system fault | <0.01% |
| 125 | Hydraulic brake cylinder fault | <0.01% |
| 126 | Axle corroded or damaged | <0.01% |
| 127 | Additional braking device fault | <0.01% |
| 128 | Boot lid damaged or insecure | <0.01% |
| 129 | Brake servo fault | <0.01% |
| 130 | Tie bar or rod worn or corroded | <0.01% |
| 131 | Steering coupling worn | <0.01% |
| 132 | Seat belt anchorage fault | <0.01% |
| 133 | Steering shaft fault | <0.01% |
| 134 | Outline marker lamp not working | <0.01% |
| 135 | Body strengthening plate corroded | <0.01% |
| 136 | Brake air or vacuum system fault | <0.01% |
| 137 | Brake valve fault | <0.01% |
| 138 | Tailgate damaged or insecure | <0.01% |
| 139 | Brake master cylinder fault | <0.01% |
| 140 | Reversing lamp switch fault | <0.01% |
| 141 | Seat belt or padding damaged | <0.01% |
| 142 | Seat belt pre-tensioner fault | <0.01% |
| 143 | Hazard warning light fault | <0.01% |
| 144 | Suspension retaining or locking device fault | <0.01% |
| 145 | Transmission drive belt fault | <0.01% |
| 146 | Vehicle floor corroded | <0.01% |
| 147 | Brake relay lever fault | <0.01% |
| 148 | Spring mounting corroded | <0.01% |
| 149 | Steering box fault | <0.01% |
| 150 | Step damaged or insecure | <0.01% |
| 151 | Access panel damaged or insecure | <0.01% |
| 152 | Semaphore indicator fault | <0.01% |
| 153 | Axle beam corroded or cracked | <0.01% |
| 154 | Electric power steering fault | <0.01% |
| 155 | Passenger compartment corrosion | <0.01% |
| 156 | Brake back plate corroded or damaged | <0.01% |
| 157 | Full power hydraulic brake fault | <0.01% |
| 158 | Headlamp washer not working | <0.01% |
| 159 | Electronic parking brake fault | <0.01% |
| 160 | Brake pedal linkage fault | <0.01% |
| 161 | Trailing arm worn or corroded | <0.01% |
| 162 | Panhard rod worn or corroded | <0.01% |
| 163 | Brake pressure or vacuum buildup insufficient | <0.01% |
| 164 | Indicator warning light fault | <0.01% |
| 165 | Leaf spring broken or corroded | <0.01% |
| 166 | Torsion bar worn or corroded | <0.01% |
| 167 | Exhaust heat shield or sound insulation damaged | <0.01% |
| 168 | Steering intermediate drop arm worn | <0.01% |
| 169 | Wheel hub fault | <0.01% |
| 170 | Stub axle worn | <0.01% |
| 171 | Speed limiter fault | <0.01% |
| 172 | Brake clevis joint worn | <0.01% |
| 173 | Load sensing valve fault | <0.01% |
| 174 | Brake slack adjuster fault | <0.01% |
| 175 | Hand-operated brake valve condition | <0.01% |
| 176 | Steering damper fault | <0.01% |
| 177 | Torque or reaction arm worn | <0.01% |
| 178 | CV joint worn | <0.01% |
| 179 | Steering lock stop fault | <0.01% |
| 180 | Steering head bearings worn | <0.01% |
| 181 | Brake linkage mounting fault | <0.01% |
| 182 | Exhaust emissions above threshold (non-catalyst) | <0.01% |
| 183 | Suspension air bellows damaged | <0.01% |
| 184 | Radius arm worn or corroded | <0.01% |
| 185 | Air brake cylinder or actuator fault | <0.01% |
| 186 | Cab corrosion or damage | <0.01% |
| 187 | Halfshaft fault | <0.01% |
| 188 | Dropside damaged or insecure | <0.01% |
| 189 | Anchor bracket corroded | <0.01% |
| 190 | Footrest damaged or missing | <0.01% |
| 191 | Handbrake mechanism or mounting fault | <0.01% |
| 192 | Seat belt load limiter fault | <0.01% |
| 193 | Brake master cylinder or servo mounting fault | <0.01% |
| 194 | Brake stationary pin worn | <0.01% |
| 195 | Brake wheel cylinder fault | <0.01% |
| 196 | Handbrake fails on gradient | <0.01% |
| 197 | Hinged tailboard damaged or insecure | <0.01% |
| 198 | Passenger hand grip fault | <0.01% |
| 199 | Securing bolts missing or insecure | <0.01% |
Showing all 199 reasons — scroll inside the table for the full list.
Vauxhall Vivaro MOT Failures by Category
Total MOT failure occurrences for the Vauxhall Vivaro, 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 Vivaro problems?
Based on analysis of 2.5M Vauxhall Vivaro MOT tests from DVSA data, we have 57 identified common problems across 3 generations. The most frequently flagged issue is "Track rod end worn". Brakes is the most common problem category.
Which Vauxhall Vivaro generation has the most problems?
The Vauxhall Vivaro Vivaro A (2001-2014) (2001–2014) has the highest number of identified common problems (60). 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 Vivaro?
Yes — use the "Tell Us About Your Problem" form on this page. Your report helps other Vauxhall Vivaro owners spot problems early. All submissions are reviewed before being added to the public database.
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