Vauxhall Vivaro Reliability: MOT Pass Rate by Year & Engine

Verdict

The Vauxhall Vivaro passes its MOT first time on 56.8% of tests, 10.0 points lower than a typical car of the same age and mileage (66.9%). That puts it ahead of 10% of cars on UK roads once age and mileage are taken into account.

By year of first registration, the 2004 Vivaro does best (beats 31% of cars) and the 2017 worst (beats 3%).

Of its engines, the 1.9 Diesel does best (beats 23%) and the 1.5 Diesel worst (beats 3%).

Watch these weak spots

Lights & electrics1.4×as often as a typical car

Suspension1.8×as often as a typical car

Track rod ends5.5×as often as a typical car

Suspension ball joints2.9×as often as a typical car

MOT pass rate by age

First-time pass rate at each MOT by the car’s age in years.

Vauxhall VivaroTypical car, same age & mileage

Best and worst years

By year of first registration, ranked against all cars on UK roads after adjusting for age and mileage. Green = better than half of cars.

Beats 44%

Beats 29%

Beats 30%

Beats 31%

Beats 29%

Beats 22%

Beats 22%

Beats 23%

Beats 16%

Beats 9%

Beats 5%

Beats 5%

Beats 5%

Beats 4%

Beats 8%

Beats 6%

Beats 3%

Beats 4%

Beats 6%

Beats 5%

Beats 2%

Beats 0%

Beats 0%

Engines

All years, most common first. Grades compare each car with cars of the same age and mileage (A = best 20% of cars on UK roads, E = worst 20%), so an older or higher-mileage car can grade above one with a higher pass rate.

Engine	Years	Tests	Pass rate	Rank	Grade
1.6 Diesel	2014–2019	626,093	66.6%	Beats 6%	E
2.0 Diesel	2006–2023	592,926	49.1%	Beats 9%	E
1.9 Diesel	2001–2012	282,296	45.4%	Beats 23%	D
1.5 Diesel	2019–2023	107,191	73.4%	Beats 3%	E
2.5 Diesel	2004–2011	13,575	49.6%	Beats 30%	D
Electric	2023–2023	1,207	81.8%	Beats 1%	E

Where it fails

Each area compared with a typical car of the same age and mileage, in points of pass rate. Tap or hover an area to see what to check.

Better than typicalTypicalWorse than typical

Suspension: 19.1% of tests fail on suspension, against 10.9% for a typical car of the same age and mileage. Listen for knocks over speed bumps and push each corner down: it should settle at once.

Every MOT area

Share of tests failing on each area, against a typical car of the same age and mileage (black line).

Lights & electrics

20.1% vs 14.5%

Suspension

19.1% vs 10.9%

Brakes

14.2% vs 8.6%

Steering

10.5% vs 2.4%

Visibility

8.3% vs 5.4%

Tyres

6.2% vs 7.6%

Body & structure

4.8% vs 4.1%

Emissions & leaks

4.6% vs 3.9%

Seat belts & airbags

2.2% vs 1.4%

Wheels

0.3% vs 0.5%

Buying one or MOT due? Check these

Track rod ends 5.5× typical
Feel for play or knocking in the steering and check for wear on the inner edges of the front tyres.
Suspension ball joints 2.9× typical
Listen for knocks over speed bumps and feel for wandering or vague steering.
Handbrake performance 2.7× typical
Check the handbrake holds the car firmly on a slope.
Anti-roll bar links 3.4× typical
A knock or rattle over uneven roads usually means worn anti-roll bar links (cheap to fix).
Number plate lights 2.1× typical
Walk around with the lights on: bulb failures are the easiest MOT fails to avoid.
Shock absorbers 2.0× typical
Push down hard on each corner: it should rebound once and settle. Look for oily dampers.

Pass rate by mileage

First-time pass rate by mileage at the test.

Vauxhall VivaroTypical car

Most common MOT failures

Item	This car	Typical	vs typical
Track rod ends	9.6%	1.7%	5.5×
Sidelights	5.7%	3.7%	1.6×
Suspension ball joints	5.4%	1.9%	2.9×
Handbrake performance	5.4%	2.0%	2.7×
Brake lights	4.5%	2.6%	1.7×
Number plate lights	4.4%	2.1%	2.1×
Headlight aim	3.9%	4.0%	1.0×
Windscreen washers	3.9%	2.5%	1.5×
Brake pads	3.7%	2.6%	1.4×
Windscreen wipers	3.5%	2.3%	1.5×

Specific defects found

Tester wording for the most frequent failure items, per 1,000 tests.

Defect	per 1,000
A suspension pin, bush or joint excessively worn	107.9
A steering ball joint with excessive wear or free play	87.4
A lamp missing, inoperative or in the case of a multiple light source more than 1/2 not functioning	46.2
Stop lamp missing, inoperative or in the case of a multiple light source more than 1/2 not functioning	39.7
A rear registration plate lamp or light source missing or inoperative in the case of a single lamp or all lamps	39.3
The aim of a headlamp is not within limits laid down in the requirements	38.8
Windscreen washers not working or not providing sufficient fluid to clear the windscreen	38.7
Parking brake efficiency below minimum requirement	37.2

Check another car

Pick a make and model to see its MOT pass rate, best and worst years and weak spots.

Every year and engine

Tap a year to see its engines. Grades compare each car with cars of the same age and mileage (A = best 20% of cars on UK roads, E = worst 20%), so an older or higher-mileage car can grade above one with a higher pass rate.

2023 Vauxhall Vivaro3 engines73.2% passE

Engine	Tests	Pass rate	Rank	Grade
1.5 Diesel	4,259	71.0%	Beats 0%	E
Electric	1,207	81.8%	Beats 1%	E
2.0 Diesel	1,020	72.3%	Beats 0%	E

2022 Vauxhall Vivaro2 engines72.5% passE

Engine	Tests	Pass rate	Rank	Grade
1.5 Diesel	15,229	72.1%	Beats 0%	E
2.0 Diesel	1,502	76.5%	Beats 4%	E

2021 Vauxhall Vivaro2 engines73.5% passE

Engine	Tests	Pass rate	Rank	Grade
1.5 Diesel	27,830	73.3%	Beats 2%	E
2.0 Diesel	1,608	76.9%	Beats 2%	E

2020 Vauxhall Vivaro2 engines74.1% passE

Engine	Tests	Pass rate	Rank	Grade
1.5 Diesel	34,028	73.9%	Beats 5%	E
2.0 Diesel	1,974	77.1%	Beats 8%	E

2019 Vauxhall Vivaro3 engines72.5% passE

Engine	Tests	Pass rate	Rank	Grade
1.6 Diesel	35,497	71.1%	Beats 4%	E
1.5 Diesel	25,845	74.1%	Beats 11%	E
2.0 Diesel	1,207	79.1%	Beats 24%	D

2018 Vauxhall Vivaro1 engine69.5% passE

Engine	Tests	Pass rate	Rank	Grade
1.6 Diesel	85,504	69.5%	Beats 4%	E

2017 Vauxhall Vivaro1 engine66.6% passE

Engine	Tests	Pass rate	Rank	Grade
1.6 Diesel	99,743	66.6%	Beats 3%	E

2016 Vauxhall Vivaro1 engine66.9% passE

Engine	Tests	Pass rate	Rank	Grade
1.6 Diesel	158,758	66.9%	Beats 6%	E

2015 Vauxhall Vivaro1 engine64.9% passE

Engine	Tests	Pass rate	Rank	Grade
1.6 Diesel	201,493	64.9%	Beats 8%	E

2014 Vauxhall Vivaro2 engines57.0% passE

Engine	Tests	Pass rate	Rank	Grade
2.0 Diesel	79,423	53.3%	Beats 2%	E
1.6 Diesel	45,098	63.6%	Beats 11%	E

2013 Vauxhall Vivaro1 engine52.4% passE

Engine	Tests	Pass rate	Rank	Grade
2.0 Diesel	106,049	52.4%	Beats 5%	E

2012 Vauxhall Vivaro2 engines48.9% passE

Engine	Tests	Pass rate	Rank	Grade
2.0 Diesel	75,652	49.0%	Beats 5%	E
1.9 Diesel	9,696	48.8%	Beats 4%	E

2011 Vauxhall Vivaro3 engines46.1% passE

Engine	Tests	Pass rate	Rank	Grade
2.0 Diesel	79,596	46.2%	Beats 5%	E
1.9 Diesel	17,638	45.9%	Beats 5%	E
2.5 Diesel	1,639	46.6%	Beats 6%	E

2010 Vauxhall Vivaro3 engines45.7% passE

Engine	Tests	Pass rate	Rank	Grade
2.0 Diesel	51,116	45.4%	Beats 9%	E
1.9 Diesel	9,073	46.6%	Beats 10%	E
2.5 Diesel	1,266	48.4%	Beats 15%	E

2009 Vauxhall Vivaro3 engines47.1% passE

Engine	Tests	Pass rate	Rank	Grade
2.0 Diesel	36,581	46.9%	Beats 16%	E
1.9 Diesel	3,250	48.5%	Beats 17%	E
2.5 Diesel	1,083	48.8%	Beats 21%	D

2008 Vauxhall Vivaro3 engines47.3% passD

Engine	Tests	Pass rate	Rank	Grade
2.0 Diesel	79,644	47.2%	Beats 22%	D
1.9 Diesel	5,252	47.3%	Beats 22%	D
2.5 Diesel	2,632	51.8%	Beats 37%	D

2007 Vauxhall Vivaro3 engines46.1% passD

Engine	Tests	Pass rate	Rank	Grade
2.0 Diesel	74,719	46.1%	Beats 22%	D
1.9 Diesel	12,754	45.1%	Beats 19%	E
2.5 Diesel	2,182	52.8%	Beats 45%	C

2006 Vauxhall Vivaro3 engines44.7% passD

Engine	Tests	Pass rate	Rank	Grade
1.9 Diesel	76,288	44.6%	Beats 22%	D
2.0 Diesel	2,835	45.8%	Beats 23%	D
2.5 Diesel	1,116	51.0%	Beats 40%	D

2005 Vauxhall Vivaro2 engines45.9% passD

Engine	Tests	Pass rate	Rank	Grade
1.9 Diesel	64,873	45.8%	Beats 29%	D
2.5 Diesel	2,130	49.2%	Beats 39%	D

2004 Vauxhall Vivaro2 engines45.1% passD

Engine	Tests	Pass rate	Rank	Grade
1.9 Diesel	46,027	45.1%	Beats 31%	D
2.5 Diesel	1,527	45.3%	Beats 28%	D

2003 Vauxhall Vivaro1 engine44.6% passD

Engine	Tests	Pass rate	Rank	Grade
1.9 Diesel	25,897	44.6%	Beats 30%	D

2002 Vauxhall Vivaro1 engine44.6% passD

Engine	Tests	Pass rate	Rank	Grade
1.9 Diesel	10,402	44.6%	Beats 29%	D

2001 Vauxhall Vivaro1 engine49.0% passC

Engine	Tests	Pass rate	Rank	Grade
1.9 Diesel	1,146	49.0%	Beats 44%	C

FAQ

What is the Vauxhall Vivaro MOT pass rate?

56.8% of MOT tests on the Vauxhall Vivaro were passed first time, based on 1,623,288 tests between 2018 and 2026 of cars first registered 2001–2023. A typical car of the same age and mileage passes 66.9% of the time.

Is the Vauxhall Vivaro reliable?

On MOT results it rates E (poor): it passes first time less often than a typical car of the same age and mileage and does better than 10% of cars on UK roads. MOT results cover safety and emissions items, not every kind of breakdown.

Which Vauxhall Vivaro year is best?

Among years with enough data, the 2004 Vivaro does best for its age and mileage: it beats 31% of cars on UK roads. The 2017 does worst: it beats 3%.

Which Vauxhall Vivaro engine is best?

Across all years, the 1.9 Diesel does best: it beats 23% of cars on UK roads. The 1.5 Diesel does worst: it beats 3%.

What are the most common MOT failures on the Vauxhall Vivaro?

The most common failure items are track rod ends, sidelights, suspension ball joints. Compared with similar cars, track rod ends comes up 5.5× as often.

How we calculate this. We use official MOT results for cars tested in Great Britain from 2018 to 2026. Each car is compared with typical cars of the same age and mileage, so old and new cars are judged fairly; “pts” are percentage points above or below them. Differences also reflect how cars are used and maintained, not only how they are built.

Vauxhall Vivaro reliability

Verdict

Watch these weak spots

MOT pass rate by age

Best and worst years

Engines

Where it fails

Every MOT area

Buying one or MOT due? Check these

Pass rate by mileage

Most common MOT failures

Specific defects found

Every year and engine

FAQ