Used car guide

2014 Vauxhall Meriva: common problems and what to check

What gets flagged at MOT on 2014 Vauxhall Merivas, from 7,400 tests in 2025, plus known faults and what to look at before you buy one.

7,400MOT tests in 2025
67%pass first time (all 2014 cars: 69%)
5,700typical miles a year
2.4×the usual rate for coil springs

What stands out

Parts flagged at MOT more often on 2014 Vauxhall Merivas than on all cars registered in 2014.

  • Coil springs2.4× usual
    Vauxhall Meriva
    16.6% All 2014 cars
    6.8%

    Failed outright at MOT: 12.3%, against 3.4% of all 2014 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.

  • Exhaust system2.4× usual
    Vauxhall Meriva
    8.8% All 2014 cars
    3.6%

    Failed outright at MOT: 1.2%, against 1% of all 2014 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.

  • Engine oil leaks2× usual
    Vauxhall Meriva
    8.6% All 2014 cars
    4.2%

    Failed outright at MOT: 0.1%, against 0.1% of all 2014 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.

  • Suspension arm1.8× usual
    Vauxhall Meriva
    3.1% All 2014 cars
    1.7%

    Failed outright at MOT: 0.2%, against 0.1% of all 2014 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.

Better than most

Shock absorbers: 1.4% here, against 5.7% of all 2014 cars. Suspension arm bushes and joints: 4.1% here, against 8.2% of all 2014 cars.

By area

The share of 2014 Vauxhall Meriva MOT tests where testers flagged each area, as a fail or an advisory. Rough prices are typical independent-garage costs.

  • Tyres
    33% 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.

  • Suspension
    26% 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
    22% 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.

  • Lights and electrics
    14% 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
    10% 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
    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.

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Other years

YearMOT testsMost flagged
20174,448Tyres 31%
20166,447Tyres 31%
20158,087Tyres 32%
20137,399Suspension 38%
20128,169Suspension 38%
201112,988Suspension 44%
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 2014 Vauxhall Merivas registered in 2014. "Flagged" includes advisories, so it isn't the same as a fail rate. How we score