2004 Vauxhall Meriva: common problems and MOT failures

What goes wrong more than usual on a 2004 Vauxhall Meriva?

Parts flagged at MOT more often on the 2004 Vauxhall Meriva than on all cars registered in 2004.

• Rigid brake pipes2.2× usual
  Vauxhall Meriva

  38.9% All 2004 cars

  17.4%

  Failed outright at MOT: 9%, against 3% of all 2004 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 joints4.7× usual
  Vauxhall Meriva

  17.4% All 2004 cars

  3.7%

  Failed outright at MOT: 0%, against 0% of all 2004 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.

• Shock absorbers2.5× usual
  Vauxhall Meriva

  16.6% All 2004 cars

  6.7%

  Failed outright at MOT: 4.6%, against 1.7% of all 2004 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.

• Drive shaft (CV) joints2.5× usual
  Vauxhall Meriva

  16.5% All 2004 cars

  6.6%

  Failed outright at MOT: 8.7%, against 3% of all 2004 cars. The rest were advisories or minor defects.

  Rough price £60–£350 our estimate

  At the viewing: Drive slowly on full steering lock in both directions and listen for clicking. Look for split rubber boots behind the front wheels.

• Exhaust system2× usual
  Vauxhall Meriva

  19.1% All 2004 cars

  9.7%

  Failed outright at MOT: 5.8%, against 2.8% of all 2004 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.

Common 2004 Vauxhall Meriva MOT failures and advisories

The share of 2004 Vauxhall Meriva MOT tests where testers flagged each area, as a fail or an advisory. Rough prices are typical independent-garage costs.

• Brakes
  57% 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.

• Suspension
  57% 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.

• Lights and electrics
  36% 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
  21% 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.

• Oil and fluid leaks
  20% 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.

Questions to ask the seller before buying a 2004 Vauxhall Meriva

Ask before you travel to see it. A seller who knows the car will have answers, and receipts.

1. Any recent work on the rigid brake pipes? (Flagged at MOT 2.2× as often on the 2004 Vauxhall Meriva as on other cars the same age.)
2. Any recent work on the steering rack inner joints? (Flagged at MOT 4.7× as often on the 2004 Vauxhall Meriva as on other cars the same age.)
3. Any recent work on the shock absorbers? (Flagged at MOT 2.5× as often on the 2004 Vauxhall Meriva as on other cars the same age.)
4. Can I see the service history and receipts for any big jobs?