Used car guide

2011 Vauxhall Meriva: common problems and what to check

What gets flagged at MOT on 2011 Vauxhall Merivas, from 12,988 tests in 2025, plus known faults and what to look at before you buy one.

12,988MOT tests in 2025
63%pass first time (all 2011 cars: 61%)
6,300typical miles a year
2.6×the usual rate for engine oil leaks

What stands out

Parts flagged at MOT more often on 2011 Vauxhall Merivas than on all cars registered in 2011.

  • Engine oil leaks2.6× usual
    Vauxhall Meriva
    23.4% All 2011 cars
    8.9%

    Failed outright at MOT: 0.4%, against 0.2% of all 2011 cars. The rest were advisories or minor defects.

    Rough price £80–£600 our estimate

    At the viewing: Look under the engine and where the car is usually parked for fresh oil. Ask whether the leak has been looked at.

  • Coil springs1.8× usual
    Vauxhall Meriva
    18.6% All 2011 cars
    10.3%

    Failed outright at MOT: 8.2%, against 4.1% of all 2011 cars. The rest were advisories or minor defects.

    Rough price £175–£400 (pair, one axle) ClickMechanic

    At the viewing: Look behind each wheel for a snapped spring coil, and listen for a clunk or twang when turning the wheel lock to lock with the car stopped.

  • Suspension arm2.6× usual
    Vauxhall Meriva
    8.7% All 2011 cars
    3.3%

    Failed outright at MOT: 1.3%, against 0.4% of all 2011 cars. The rest were advisories or minor defects.

    Rough price £120–£180 (one arm) ClickMechanic

    At the viewing: Listen for clunks over bumps and feel for the steering wandering. Worn arm bushes show as cracked rubber near the wheels.

  • Steering swivel joints4.7× usual
    Vauxhall Meriva
    4.2% All 2011 cars
    0.9%

    Failed outright at MOT: 0.6%, against 0.2% of all 2011 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.

  • Engine warning light1.7× usual
    Vauxhall Meriva
    3.3% All 2011 cars
    1.9%

    Failed outright at MOT: 3.3%, against 1.9% of all 2011 cars. The rest were advisories or minor defects.

    Rough price £10–£80 our estimate

    At the viewing: Ask a friend to check every light while you work the switches: indicators, brake lights, fog lights and reversing lights.

Better than most

Sidelights: 2% here, against 5.8% of all 2011 cars. Shock absorbers: 3.8% here, against 7.6% of all 2011 cars.

By area

The share of 2011 Vauxhall Meriva MOT tests where testers flagged each area, as a fail or an advisory. Rough prices are typical independent-garage costs.

  • Suspension
    44% 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.

  • Tyres
    38% 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.

  • Brakes
    28% 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.

  • Oil and fluid leaks
    26% 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.

  • Lights and electrics
    20% of testsRough price £10–£80

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

  • Exhaust and emissions
    9% 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.

Looking at a Vauxhall Meriva?

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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%
20108,278Suspension 47%
20094,295Suspension 55%
20084,173Suspension 57%
20073,637Brakes 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 2011 Vauxhall Merivas registered in 2011. "Flagged" includes advisories, so it isn't the same as a fail rate. How we score