2008 Vauxhall Meriva: common problems and MOT failures

What goes wrong more than usual on a 2008 Vauxhall Meriva?

Parts flagged at MOT more often on the 2008 Vauxhall Meriva than on all cars registered in 2008.

• Rigid brake pipes3.5× usual
  Vauxhall Meriva

  32.6% All 2008 cars

  9.3%

  Failed outright at MOT: 7.6%, against 1.7% of all 2008 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.

• Shock absorbers3.7× usual
  Vauxhall Meriva

  27.4% All 2008 cars

  7.5%

  Failed outright at MOT: 6%, against 2.1% of all 2008 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.

• Exhaust system2.3× usual
  Vauxhall Meriva

  19.8% All 2008 cars

  8.6%

  Failed outright at MOT: 5.1%, against 2.4% of all 2008 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.

• Steering rack inner joints2.9× usual
  Vauxhall Meriva

  7.8% All 2008 cars

  2.7%

  Failed outright at MOT: 0%, against 0% of all 2008 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.

• Track rod ends1.9× usual
  Vauxhall Meriva

  9.6% All 2008 cars

  5.1%

  Failed outright at MOT: 5.6%, against 2.4% of all 2008 cars. The rest were advisories or minor defects.

  Rough price £50–£150 (one end, plus about £30–£50 if it needs a wheel alignment) ClickMechanic

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

Petrol or diesel: does it make a difference?

The same figures for each fuel on its own. Check which one the car you're looking at is: it's on the logbook and in its MOT history.

Common 2008 Vauxhall Meriva MOT failures and advisories

The share of 2008 Vauxhall Meriva MOT tests where testers flagged each area, as a fail or an advisory. Rough prices are typical independent-garage costs.

• Suspension
  55% 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
  53% 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
  39% 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
  37% 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
  22% 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
  18% 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 2008 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 3.5× as often on the 2008 Vauxhall Meriva as on other cars the same age.)
2. Any recent work on the shock absorbers? (Flagged at MOT 3.7× as often on the 2008 Vauxhall Meriva as on other cars the same age.)
3. Any recent work on the exhaust system? (Flagged at MOT 2.3× as often on the 2008 Vauxhall Meriva as on other cars the same age.)
4. Can I see the service history and receipts for any big jobs?