Used buying checklist
Vauxhall Vivaro reliability, common problems and used buying checks
A used Vauxhall Vivaro looks worse than average for reliability in UK MOT data: 27.7% of 275,861 tests failed, compared with 18.7% across all indexed models. A good example should have a clean MOT history for suspension and steering, corrosion and structure, and lights and electrical.
It can be, if the exact car has a clean history for suspension and steering, corrosion and structure, and lights and electrical.
Start with suspension and steering, corrosion and structure, and lights and electrical, then compare the car's mileage and recall record below.
Sources used: DVSA MOT tests (Apr 2026); vehicle recalls (Apr 2026); MOT fault wording (May 2025). MOT data does not capture every reliability issue, especially intermittent engine, gearbox or infotainment faults that do not appear during the test.
- 27.7% MOT failure rate
- Median tested mileage 110,982 miles
- 76,537 failed MOT tests analysed
Suspension and steering is the clearest area to check
Suspension and steering is the clearest named problem area in this model's MOT history (46.6 MOT notes per 100 tests). Example MOT phrases from this area include play in steering rack inner joint(s), ball joint has excessive play, and across an axle.
Example MOT phrases to search in the car's history:
- Play in steering rack inner joint(s)
- ball joint has excessive play
- across an axle
- ball joint excessively worn
- excessively corroded
- corroded to the extent that the rigidity of the assembly is significantly reduced
- or chassis has excessive corrosion, seriously affecting its strength within 30cm of a body mounting
- prescribed area excessively corroded significantly reducing structural strength
- slightly damaged
- lens defective which has no effect on emitted light
Focus on suspension and steering, corrosion and structure, and lights and electrical
The model's recorded failure rate is 27.7%, +9.0 percentage points compared with the average across all models. Use the seller questions below to check whether repeat MOT notes have actually been repaired.
- MOT tests analysed275,861 tests
- Median tested mileage110,982 miles
- Failed MOT tests76,537
Should you buy a used Vauxhall Vivaro?
72.3% of the MOT tests we analysed for this model passed. The model's recorded failure rate is 27.7%, +9.0 percentage points compared with the average across all models. This is a buying brief for the exact car in front of you: clean repeat history matters more than badge reputation.
- Repeat unresolved MOT notes for suspension and steering, corrosion and structure, and lights and electrical
- suspension and steering appearing across more than one MOT
- Any dangerous MOT failure on the exact car, especially if the same area appears again later
- No paperwork showing applicable recall work has been completed
- A seller who cannot explain MOT wording such as "Play in steering rack inner joint(s)"
It can be, if the exact car has a clean history for suspension and steering, corrosion and structure, and lights and electrical.
Start with suspension and steering, corrosion and structure, and lights and electrical, then compare the car's mileage and recall record below.
Suspension and steering is the clearest named problem area in the MOT history (46.6 MOT notes per 100 tests). These counts are issue notes, not failure rates, because a single MOT can list several faults.
Past 100k miles on the Vauxhall Vivaro, MOT records most often point to suspension and steering, corrosion and structure, and lights and electrical.
The MOT failure rate rises from 17.9% at 0-3 years to 32.5% at 15+ years. Compare the car with the nearest age range before treating a fault as normal wear or a warning sign. The average MOT failure rate across all models in the same dataset is 18.7%.
Start with suspension and steering, corrosion and structure, lights and electrical, and windscreen, wipers, and mirrors. The checklist on this page explains why each area is being recommended, what to inspect, and what to ask the seller.
6 relevant recall notices appear for this model. Treat them as safety checks to verify for the exact car, not as normal MOT wear.
What should I check first?
Start with suspension and steering, corrosion and structure, lights and electrical, and windscreen, wipers, and mirrors. The checklist on this page explains why each area is being recommended, what to inspect, and what to ask the seller. Each item shows whether it comes from MOT results, recall notices, or a standard used-car check.
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Suspension and steering Seen in MOT results
Suspension and steering is one of the most common MOT problem areas for this model (46.6 MOT notes per 100 tests).
What to check: Listen for knocks, check uneven tyre wear, and inspect steering play.
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Corrosion and structure Seen in MOT results
Corrosion and structure is one of the most common MOT problem areas for this model (31.9 MOT notes per 100 tests).
What to check: Inspect sills, subframes, mounting points, arches, and underside corrosion advisories.
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Lights and electrical Seen in MOT results
Lights and electrical is one of the most common MOT problem areas for this model (18.2 MOT notes per 100 tests).
What to check: Check every lamp, warning light, horn, battery condition, and dashboard messages.
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Windscreen, wipers, and mirrors Seen in MOT results
Windscreen, wipers, and mirrors is one of the most common MOT problem areas for this model (12.9 MOT notes per 100 tests).
What to check: Check windscreen damage, wiper operation, washers, mirrors, and demisting.
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Emissions, engine, and exhaust Seen in MOT results
Emissions, engine, and exhaust is one of the most common MOT problem areas for this model (11.1 MOT notes per 100 tests).
What to check: Check warning lights, smoke, exhaust leaks, recent emissions failures, and service history.
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Tyres and wheels Seen in MOT results
Tyres and wheels is one of the most common MOT problem areas for this model (3.0 MOT notes per 100 tests).
What to check: Check tyre age, tread depth, sidewall damage, wheel condition, and alignment wear.
What changes with mileage?
Past 100k miles on the Vauxhall Vivaro, MOT records most often point to suspension and steering, corrosion and structure, and lights and electrical.
Common MOT problem areas
Common faults: what usually fails on this model?
Suspension and steering is the clearest named problem area in the MOT history (46.6 MOT notes per 100 tests). These counts are issue notes, not failure rates, because a single MOT can list several faults.
Recall-related areas to verify
Official recall areas
Manufacturer recall notices for the Vauxhall Vivaro mainly involve 6 areas: emissions, engine, and exhaust, brakes, lights and electrical, and mixed recall notices. Treat each as something to verify on the specific car you are viewing; the recall table below shows the official notice text.
Mileage and age checks
Mileage changes: what starts showing up after high mileage?
Past 100k miles on the Vauxhall Vivaro, MOT records most often point to suspension and steering, corrosion and structure, and lights and electrical. On lower-mileage cars, the most common named areas are suspension and steering, lights and electrical, and windscreen, wipers, and mirrors.
| Mileage range | Tests | Vehicles | Failure rate (vs all models) | Median mileage |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 0-50k | 25,092 | 20,317 | 16.8%+6.0 percentage points vs all models | 39,067 miles |
| 50-100k | 89,894 | 65,512 | 25.1%+4.4 percentage points vs all models | 77,026 miles |
| 100-150k | 90,430 | 61,607 | 30.7%+4.5 percentage points vs all models | 123,477 miles |
| 150-200k | 49,978 | 33,908 | 32.1%+4.8 percentage points vs all models | 168,873 miles |
| 200k+ | 17,534 | 11,892 | 31.5%+4.9 percentage points vs all models | 222,370 miles |
Problem areas by mileage
Past 100k miles on the Vauxhall Vivaro, MOT records most often point to suspension and steering, corrosion and structure, and lights and electrical.
| Mileage range | Car areas most often recorded | Specific MOT defect examples |
|---|---|---|
| 0-50k |
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| 50-100k |
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| 100-150k |
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| 150-200k |
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| 200k+ |
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Fair comparisons: is this problem normal for its age?
The MOT failure rate rises from 17.9% at 0-3 years to 32.5% at 15+ years. Compare the car with the nearest age range before treating a fault as normal wear or a warning sign. The average MOT failure rate across all models in the same dataset is 18.7%. The highest failure rate by age is 32.5% for 15+ years cars, based on 53,285 tests.
| Age range | Tests | Vehicles | Failure rate (vs all models) | Median age |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 0-3 years 2023–2026 reg. |
67 | 57 | 17.9%+9.5 percentage points vs all models | 3.0 years |
| 3-6 years 2020–2023 reg. |
46,562 | 36,287 | 19.4%+8.8 percentage points vs all models | 5.0 years |
| 6-10 years 2016–2020 reg. |
108,488 | 76,948 | 26.5%+9.9 percentage points vs all models | 8.0 years |
| 10-15 years 2011–2016 reg. |
67,459 | 45,283 | 31.9%+8.3 percentage points vs all models | 11.9 years |
| 15+ years pre-2011 reg. |
53,285 | 35,967 | 32.5%+6.6 percentage points vs all models | 17.0 years |
Recall records and data freshness
Recall context: are there safety notices to know about?
6 relevant recall notices appear for this model. Treat them as safety checks to verify for the exact car, not as normal MOT wear.
| 2026-03-13 | Water pump pulley On affected vehicles due to a production nonconformity the water pump may malfunction which may cause a loss of engine power and result in the engine shutting down. Replace the water pump. |
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| 2026-01-21 | Vauxhall Cross carline Fuel Injection common rail On affected vehicles a non-conformity issue with the fuel injection common rail may lead to a loosening of the nut and a potential fuel leak. Check the fuel injection common rail and if necessary replace the rail and high-pressure fuel pipes. |
| 2025-12-19 | Vauxhall Vivaro (K0) Combo (K9) IVI software via OTA update. Affected vehicle may face a black screen on the Instrument Panel Cluster with several functions not available to view. Update the In-Vehicle-Infotainment software via Over-the-Air. |
| 2025-11-12 | Vauxhall Vivaro (K0) Low In-use performance ratio – ECM software. On affected vehicles there is an issue with the Engine Control Module (ECM) calibration which may lead to non-compliance with regulatory emission requirements. Update the ECM calibration. |
| 2025-09-29 | Vauxhall Vivaro Rear Brake Discs Affected vehicles may have been equipped with rear brake discs out of specification. These brake discs have insufficient contact with the wheel hub resulting in abnormal stress concentration. Check the rear brake discs and replace them and the brake pads if necessary. |
| 2025-08-18 | Emission recall – On Board Diagnostics Vehicles may be affected by incorrect performance of the On-Board-Diagnostics related to Selective Catalytic Reduction system and/or Diesel Particle Filter. The Malfunction Indicator Light (MIL) may not illuminate in the event of a malfunction and therefore does not comply with emission regulations. Update the Engine Control Unit software to ensure compliance to regulations. |
Related searches
Common ways people look up the Vauxhall Vivaro. Each link runs the search and lands on the relevant section of this report.
Related reliability guides
See where this model sits against other Vauxhall reports by MOT failure rate and common problem area.
Compare high-confidence model reports across all makes.
Use the fleet mileage baseline before checking this model's own mileage table.
Compare this model's age pattern with the wider MOT baseline.
Sources used: DVSA MOT tests (Apr 2026); vehicle recalls (Apr 2026); MOT fault wording (May 2025). These are patterns from many MOT tests and recall notices. They help you decide what to inspect and what to ask; they do not certify the condition of one specific car.