2008 Vauxhall Meriva — MOT failures & pass rate
Across 43,443 MOT tests, the 2008 Vauxhall Meriva recorded a 69.4% pass rate. Against MPVs of a similar age (28.1% fail rate), the 2008 Meriva comes out 2.5pp worse. Failures cluster in lighting & signalling, suspension and brakes.
What the MOT record shows
No single area dominates — lighting & signalling (18.3%) and suspension (16.3%) are close, so failures are spread across several systems rather than one weak point.
At component level the recurring items are rigid brake pipes, position lamp and headlamp aim — rigid brake pipes alone was recorded 4,076 times.
Condition tracks the odometer closely. Failures run at 22.1% in the 0-30k band and 34.4% in the 150k+ band, a 12.3-point spread.
Split by fuel, diesel examples fail 1.9pp more often than petrol ones (32.4% vs 30.4%) — worth weighing if you have a choice.
Advisories point at the next bill rather than this one: brakes was flagged on 44.6% of tests without failing them.
How it compares
Top failure categories
| # | Category | % of tests affected | Tests |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Lighting & signalling | 18.3% | 7,948 |
| 2 | Suspension | 16.3% | 7,092 |
| 3 | Brakes | 11.9% | 5,193 |
| 4 | Body, structure & corrosion | 7.6% | 3,325 |
| 5 | Tyres | 6.4% | 2,796 |
| 6 | Emissions & environmental | 6.1% | 2,662 |
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 | 4,076 |
| 2 | Position lamp | 3,028 |
| 3 | Headlamp aim | 2,955 |
| 4 | Coil spring | 2,541 |
| 5 | Shock absorbers | 2,380 |
| 6 | Track rod end | 2,106 |
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 | 44.6% | 19,396 |
| 2 | Suspension | 38.0% | 16,530 |
| 3 | Tyres | 32.6% | 14,179 |
| 4 | Body, structure & corrosion | 20.0% | 8,668 |
| 5 | Other defects | 17.5% | 7,591 |
| 6 | Emissions & environmental | 14.5% | 6,321 |
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 | 887 | 22.1% |
| 30-60k | 7,400 | 25.1% |
| 60-90k | 17,283 | 30.1% |
| 90-120k | 13,008 | 33.5% |
| 120-150k | 3,712 | 34.1% |
| 150k+ | 785 | 34.4% |
Failure rate by age
By fuel type
| Fuel | Tests | Fail rate |
|---|---|---|
| Petrol | 39,246 | 30.4% |
| Diesel | 4,191 | 32.4% |
Trend over time
| Dataset year | Tests | Fail rate |
|---|---|---|
| 2021 | 11,761 | 30.3% |
| 2022 | 10,154 | 30.1% |
| 2023 | 8,680 | 30.6% |
| 2024 | 7,159 | 31.0% |
| 2025 | 5,689 | 31.7% |
What to check before buying a 2008 Meriva
On a 2008 Meriva, lighting & signalling is what the MOT record says goes wrong most — it appeared in 18.3% of tests. Check these areas before you commit.
- Lighting & signalling (18.3% of tests): Often a cheap bulb, but persistent issues can mean wiring or corrosion in the units. Typical repair: £10–£150.
- Suspension (16.3% 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 (11.9% 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 2008 Vauxhall Merivas pass their MOT?
69.4% of the 43,443 2008 Vauxhall Meriva MOT tests in this dataset passed — a 30.6% fail rate.
What is the most common MOT failure on a 2008 Vauxhall Meriva?
Lighting & signalling, recorded in 18.3% of tests, followed by suspension (16.3%).
Does the 2008 Meriva get worse with mileage?
Its MOT fail rate rises from 22.1% in the 0-30k band to 34.4% in the 150k+ band.
Methodology & source. Based on 43,443 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.