Used car guide

2003 Vauxhall Meriva: common problems and what to check

What gets flagged at MOT on 2003 Vauxhall Merivas, from 255 tests in 2025, plus known faults and what to look at before you buy one.

Small sample: only 255 of these were MOT tested in 2025, so treat the percentages as rough. The known faults below don't depend on it.

255MOT tests in 2025
54%pass first time (all 2003 cars: 59%)
3,900typical miles a year
2.1×the usual rate for rigid brake pipes

What stands out

Parts flagged at MOT more often on 2003 Vauxhall Merivas than on all cars registered in 2003.

  • Rigid brake pipes2.1× usual
    Vauxhall Meriva
    39.2% All 2003 cars
    18.3%

    Failed outright at MOT: 6.3%, against 2.7% of all 2003 cars. The rest were advisories or minor defects.

    Rough price £100–£400 our estimate

    At the viewing: Ask to see underneath, or check the MOT advisories: corroded brake or fuel pipes get worse every year and fail the MOT when they do.

  • Steering rack inner joints5.7× usual
    Vauxhall Meriva
    20% All 2003 cars
    3.5%

    Failed outright at MOT: 0%, against 0% of all 2003 cars. The rest were advisories or minor defects.

    Rough price £100–£450 our estimate

    At the viewing: On a straight road the steering wheel should sit straight. Listen for knocks when turning, and check the steering feels even.

  • Exhaust system2.3× usual
    Vauxhall Meriva
    22.4% All 2003 cars
    9.7%

    Failed outright at MOT: 6.3%, against 2.6% of all 2003 cars. The rest were advisories or minor defects.

    Rough price £100–£500 (pipe or section) ClickMechanic

    At the viewing: Listen for blowing or rattling from underneath at idle, and look for black soot around joints.

  • Shock absorbers2.3× usual
    Vauxhall Meriva
    15.7% All 2003 cars
    6.7%

    Failed outright at MOT: 3.1%, against 1.6% of all 2003 cars. The rest were advisories or minor defects.

    Rough price £200–£300 (pair, average rear to front) ClickMechanic

    At the viewing: Push down hard on each corner. It should bounce once and settle. Look for oil on the shock absorber body.

  • Ball joint dust cover2.5× usual
    Vauxhall Meriva
    12.2% All 2003 cars
    4.8%

    Failed outright at MOT: 5.1%, against 1.8% of all 2003 cars. The rest were advisories or minor defects.

    Rough price £60–£150 (one joint) ClickMechanic

    At the viewing: Listen for knocking over bumps and check the rubber boots behind the wheels aren't split.

By area

The share of 2003 Vauxhall Meriva MOT tests where testers flagged each area, as a fail or an advisory. Rough prices are typical independent-garage costs.

  • Suspension
    59% of testsRough price £120–£400

    At the viewing: Listen for knocks over speed bumps, and look behind each front wheel for a snapped coil spring.

  • Brakes
    56% of testsRough price £150–£350

    At the viewing: Look for a lip on the disc edges and feel for judder or pulling when braking firmly from about 40mph.

  • Tyres
    35% of testsRough price £70–£150

    At the viewing: Check the tread on all four tyres, including the inside edges, and look for cracks or bulges.

  • Lights and electrics
    33% of testsRough price £10–£80

    At the viewing: Ask a friend to check every light, including brake lights and indicators, while you operate them.

  • Oil and fluid leaks
    25% of testsRough price £80–£600

    At the viewing: Look under the engine and on the ground where the car is usually parked for fresh oil or fluid.

  • Exhaust and emissions
    24% of testsRough price £100–£1,200

    At the viewing: Look for black soot in the tailpipe, listen for blowing from the exhaust and check for engine or DPF warning lights.

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Other years

YearMOT testsMost flagged
20174,448Tyres 31%
20166,447Tyres 31%
20158,087Tyres 32%
20147,400Tyres 33%
20137,399Suspension 38%
20128,169Suspension 38%
201112,988Suspension 44%
20108,278Suspension 47%
20094,295Suspension 55%
20084,173Suspension 57%
20073,637Suspension 55%
20062,861Suspension 56%
20051,700Brakes 56%
20041,220Suspension 60%

Where this comes from: the DVSA's anonymised results for every MOT test in Great Britain in 2025, counting tests of 2003 Vauxhall Merivas registered in 2003. "Flagged" includes advisories, so it isn't the same as a fail rate. How we score