2006 Vauxhall Meriva — MOT failures & pass rate
35,811 MOT tests on the 2006 Vauxhall Meriva are in this dataset, and 67.5% of them passed. That is 2.8 percentage points worse than MPVs of a similar age, which fail at 29.7%. Failures cluster in lighting & signalling, suspension and brakes.
What the MOT record shows
No single area dominates — lighting & signalling (17.7%) and suspension (16.9%) are close, so failures are spread across several systems rather than one weak point.
At component level the recurring items are rigid brake pipes, joints and headlamp aim — rigid brake pipes alone was recorded 4,141 times.
Mileage is the strongest signal on the record: 25.2% of 0-30k cars fail, rising to 36.4% once past 150k.
Fuel type barely separates them — petrol fails 32.4% of the time against 33.3% for diesel.
Advisories point at the next bill rather than this one: brakes was flagged on 48.1% of tests without failing them.
How it compares
Top failure categories
| # | Category | % of tests affected | Tests |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Lighting & signalling | 17.7% | 6,334 |
| 2 | Suspension | 16.9% | 6,037 |
| 3 | Brakes | 13.5% | 4,830 |
| 4 | Body, structure & corrosion | 11.3% | 4,050 |
| 5 | Tyres | 6.8% | 2,443 |
| 6 | Emissions & environmental | 6.7% | 2,398 |
Most common specific failures
The exact components most often recorded as failures — more specific than the categories above.
| # | Failure item | Times recorded |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Rigid brake pipes | 4,141 |
| 2 | Joints | 2,990 |
| 3 | Headlamp aim | 2,414 |
| 4 | Position lamp | 2,381 |
| 5 | Coil spring | 2,227 |
| 6 | Track rod end | 1,625 |
Top advisory categories
Advisories aren't failures, but they flag work likely needed soon — useful when budgeting.
| # | Category | % of tests with advisory | Tests |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Brakes | 48.1% | 17,239 |
| 2 | Suspension | 35.2% | 12,613 |
| 3 | Tyres | 31.8% | 11,374 |
| 4 | Body, structure & corrosion | 23.5% | 8,432 |
| 5 | Other defects | 18.1% | 6,474 |
| 6 | Emissions & environmental | 16.9% | 6,045 |
Failure rate by mileage
Higher-mileage cars tend to fail more — often the most useful guide to real condition.
| Mileage band | Tests | Fail rate |
|---|---|---|
| 0-30k | 612 | 25.2% |
| 30-60k | 5,635 | 26.8% |
| 60-90k | 12,797 | 31.7% |
| 90-120k | 11,282 | 34.9% |
| 120-150k | 4,175 | 35.1% |
| 150k+ | 1,058 | 36.4% |
Failure rate by age
By fuel type
| Fuel | Tests | Fail rate |
|---|---|---|
| Petrol | 31,952 | 32.4% |
| Diesel | 3,859 | 33.3% |
Trend over time
| Dataset year | Tests | Fail rate |
|---|---|---|
| 2021 | 10,867 | 32.9% |
| 2022 | 8,750 | 32.3% |
| 2023 | 6,874 | 32.1% |
| 2024 | 5,362 | 32.5% |
| 2025 | 3,958 | 32.2% |
What to check before buying a 2006 Meriva
On a 2006 Meriva, lighting & signalling is what the MOT record says goes wrong most — it appeared in 17.7% of tests. Check these areas before you commit.
- Lighting & signalling (17.7% of tests): Often a cheap bulb, but persistent issues can mean wiring or corrosion in the units. Typical repair: £10–£150.
- Suspension (16.9% of tests): Worn drop links, bushes, springs or shocks — listen for knocks over bumps and check for uneven tyre wear. Typical repair: £150–£450 per corner.
- Brakes (13.5% of tests): Pads/discs are routine wear; binding, imbalance or corroded pipes are more serious — test for pulling under braking. Typical repair: £100–£350 per axle.
Repair costs are rough UK ballpark ranges to set expectations, not quotes — actual prices vary widely by car, parts and garage.
Frequently asked questions
How many 2006 Vauxhall Merivas pass their MOT?
67.5% of the 35,811 2006 Vauxhall Meriva MOT tests in this dataset passed — a 32.5% fail rate.
What is the most common MOT failure on a 2006 Vauxhall Meriva?
Lighting & signalling, recorded in 17.7% of tests, followed by suspension (16.9%).
Does the 2006 Meriva get worse with mileage?
Its MOT fail rate rises from 25.2% in the 0-30k band to 36.4% in the 150k+ band.
Methodology & source. Based on 35,811 MOT tests. Dataset: DVSA MOT testing data (2021,2022,2023,2024,2025). Data last updated 2026-07-27. Figures reflect MOT-testable defects only — read the methodology for how these are calculated and what they don't measure.