Vauxhall Vivaro MOT Failures
An analysis of 2,961,756 real DVSA MOT tests on the Vauxhall Vivaro — what fails, how often, and how that compares to every other car on UK roads. Generations covered: A (2001–2014), B (2014–2021).
Where the Vauxhall Vivaro fails its MOT
The single biggest MOT failure point on the Vauxhall Vivaro is indicator or hazard warning switch does not ope... — this model is 111 times more likely to fail on this item than the average car on UK roads. That makes it an extreme outlier for anyone buying or owning this model. Across 2,961,756 MOT tests, 0.69% of all Vauxhall Vivaro tests recorded this as a failure.
Lighting faults are usually straightforward to fix (bulbs, connectors, earth points) but can indicate deeper wiring issues on older cars. Check all lights including fog lamps, number plate lights, and dashboard warning lights.
Other notable weak points include indicator or hazard warning switch inoperative (103x the fleet average), tyre load capacity or speed rating not in accor... (44x the fleet average), abs fault (93x the fleet average), and axle or kingpin wear (56x the fleet average). These ratios compare the Vauxhall Vivaro's failure rate on each item against the national average for all cars tested — a ratio of 10x means this model fails ten times more often than a typical car.
The failures span 3 categories: Lights & Electrics, Tyres, Suspension. If you're inspecting a Vauxhall Vivaro before purchase, these are the areas to focus on — and if any have been flagged as advisories on a previous MOT, they're likely to become failures in the near future.
How failures change with mileage
The Vauxhall Vivaro's weak points shift as the car covers more miles. Understanding these patterns helps you know what to expect — and what to budget for — at each stage of ownership.
Under 60,000 miles
At this mileage, most failures are either design-related or caused by age rather than wear. Components like bushes and drop links may not have been replaced yet, and original-fit parts can deteriorate even on low-mileage cars that spend a lot of time sitting.
For the Vauxhall Vivaro specifically, the DVSA data shows the most common failures at this mileage are abs fault (93x the average) and indicator or hazard warning switch inoperative (76x). indicator or hazard warning switch does not ope... (68x) and tyre load capacity load capacity insufficient f... (64x) also appear frequently.
60,000 to 100,000 miles
This is where routine wear items start to show up. Brake components, tyres, and exhaust parts have done serious work by this point. Cars that have been well serviced will show fewer of these failures — this mileage band is where good maintenance really separates the well-kept from the neglected.
For the Vauxhall Vivaro specifically, the DVSA data shows the most common failures at this mileage are axle or kingpin wear (56x the average) and indicator or hazard warning switch does not ope... (48x). indicator or hazard warning switch inoperative (45x) and body panel damage (31x) also appear frequently.
Over 100,000 miles
High-mileage cars accumulate failures across multiple systems. The key question isn't whether things will need doing — they will — but whether the car has been maintained well enough to keep on top of them. Look for a consistent service history and recent MOT passes with minimal advisories.
For the Vauxhall Vivaro specifically, the DVSA data shows the most common failures at this mileage are abs fault (36x the average) and indicator or hazard warning switch does not ope... (32x). axle or kingpin wear (31x) and indicator or hazard warning switch inoperative (28x) also appear frequently.
Known issues beyond the MOT
An MOT only tests roadworthiness at a single point in time — it won't catch developing faults, intermittent problems, or issues that haven't yet reached the failure threshold. These are the issues that Vauxhall Vivaro specialists and owners flag most frequently, drawn from manufacturer technical bulletins, workshop data, and verified owner reports.
Steering ball joint failure (A/B) Dangerous
The Vivaro suffers from premature steering ball joint wear across both generations, with MOT data showing failure rates up to 214.6 times the national fleet average. Affects A, B; typical independent garage repair cost is £200–£350.
Suspension component wear (A/B) Major
MOT data shows suspension pin, bush, and joint failures at up to 206.8 times the fleet average, affecting both front and rear suspension components. Affects A, B; typical independent garage repair cost is £150–£300.
Injector failure (A/B) Major
Diesel injector failure is a widespread issue across all Vivaro generations and engine variants. Affects A, B; typical independent garage repair cost is £300–£600.
Turbo failure (A) Major
Generation A Vivaros suffer from turbocharger bearing and actuator failures, particularly on F9Q and G9U engines. Affects A; typical independent garage repair cost is £600–£1,200.
For the complete picture — including repair costs across independent, specialist, and dealer garages — see the full Vauxhall Vivaro common problems breakdown.
What to check before buying a Vauxhall Vivaro
Based on the MOT failure data and known issues above, here's what to prioritise when inspecting a Vauxhall Vivaro:
Lights & Electrics — check for indicator or hazard warning switch does not ope..., indicator or hazard warning switch inoperative. Tyres — check for tyre load capacity or speed rating not in accor..., tyre load capacity load capacity insufficient f.... Suspension — check for abs fault, axle or kingpin wear, suspension component fractured or, suspension pin, bush, joint or bearing worn.
Beyond the MOT items, ask specifically about steering ball joint failure and suspension component wear. These won't show up on a standard MOT but can be expensive to fix — repairs start from £200. A specialist pre-purchase inspection is worth the investment on this model.
Always check the car's full MOT history for patterns — recurring advisories often become failures within 12 months. And verify the service history to confirm maintenance has been kept up to schedule. Enter any reg into our free car check to see the complete picture.
Looking at a specific Vauxhall Vivaro?
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Vauxhall Vivaro MOT FAQs
What are the most common MOT failures on a Vauxhall Vivaro?
Based on 2,961,756 DVSA MOT tests, the most common failure is indicator or hazard warning switch does not ope... — at 111x the national fleet average. Other frequent failures include indicator or hazard warning switch inoperative and tyre load capacity or speed rating not in accor....
Is the Vauxhall Vivaro reliable based on MOT data?
The Vauxhall Vivaro has 15 MOT failure categories above the fleet average. Specialists also flag steering ball joint failure as a concern. A pre-purchase inspection and service history check are recommended.
What MOT failures should I expect at high mileage?
Above 100,000 miles, the Vauxhall Vivaro most commonly fails on abs fault and indicator or hazard warning switch does not ope.... Under 60,000 miles, the main issues are abs fault and indicator or hazard warning switch inoperative.
How do I check a Vauxhall Vivaro's MOT history?
Enter the registration number into our free car check above. You'll see every MOT test result, advisories and failures, mileage readings, write-off status, and finance checks.
MOT failure data sourced from DVSA bulk test records via data.gov.uk. Ratios compare this model's failure rate against the national fleet average. Known issues sourced from manufacturer bulletins, specialist workshops, and verified owner reports.