2001 Vauxhall Vivaro — MOT failures & pass rate
660 MOT tests on the 2001 Vauxhall Vivaro are in this dataset, and 67.4% of them passed. That is 2.7 percentage points worse than vans of a similar age, which fail at 29.8%. Failures cluster in lighting & signalling, suspension and brakes.
What the MOT record shows
No single area dominates — lighting & signalling (20.0%) and suspension (18.5%) are close, so failures are spread across several systems rather than one weak point.
At component level the recurring items are ball joint, rigid brake pipes and washers — ball joint alone was recorded 82 times.
A 150k+ example is materially riskier than a 60-90k one: 34.0% versus 25.9%.
Advisories point at the next bill rather than this one: brakes was flagged on 46.7% of tests without failing them.
The trend is improving — the fail rate fell from 35.9% in 2021 to 27.4% in 2025, as the worst-kept examples leave the fleet.
How it compares
Top failure categories
| # | Category | % of tests affected | Tests |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Lighting & signalling | 20.0% | 132 |
| 2 | Suspension | 18.5% | 122 |
| 3 | Brakes | 17.1% | 113 |
| 4 | Visibility | 10.6% | 70 |
| 5 | Steering | 9.2% | 61 |
| 6 | Body, structure & corrosion | 8.8% | 58 |
Most common specific failures
The exact components most often recorded as failures — more specific than the categories above.
| # | Failure item | Times recorded |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Ball joint | 82 |
| 2 | Rigid brake pipes | 57 |
| 3 | Washers | 54 |
| 4 | Track rod end | 54 |
| 5 | Rbt (sp) | 52 |
| 6 | Position lamp | 48 |
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 | 46.7% | 308 |
| 2 | Suspension | 35.9% | 237 |
| 3 | Emissions & environmental | 29.5% | 195 |
| 4 | Other defects | 24.6% | 162 |
| 5 | Tyres | 22.9% | 151 |
| 6 | Lighting & signalling | 16.7% | 110 |
Failure rate by mileage
Higher-mileage cars tend to fail more — often the most useful guide to real condition.
| Mileage band | Tests | Fail rate |
|---|---|---|
| 60-90k | 58 | 25.9% |
| 90-120k | 43 | 30.2% |
| 120-150k | 158 | 32.9% |
| 150k+ | 391 | 34.0% |
Failure rate by age
Trend over time
| Dataset year | Tests | Fail rate |
|---|---|---|
| 2021 | 212 | 35.9% |
| 2022 | 160 | 34.4% |
| 2023 | 128 | 31.3% |
| 2024 | 98 | 27.6% |
| 2025 | 62 | 27.4% |
What to check before buying a 2001 Vivaro
On a 2001 Vivaro, lighting & signalling is what the MOT record says goes wrong most — it appeared in 20.0% of tests. Check these areas before you commit.
- Lighting & signalling (20.0% of tests): Often a cheap bulb, but persistent issues can mean wiring or corrosion in the units. Typical repair: £10–£150.
- Suspension (18.5% 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 (17.1% 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 2001 Vauxhall Vivaros pass their MOT?
67.4% of the 660 2001 Vauxhall Vivaro MOT tests in this dataset passed — a 32.6% fail rate.
What is the most common MOT failure on a 2001 Vauxhall Vivaro?
Lighting & signalling, recorded in 20.0% of tests, followed by suspension (18.5%).
Does the 2001 Vivaro get worse with mileage?
Its MOT fail rate rises from 25.9% in the 60-90k band to 34.0% in the 150k+ band.
Methodology & source. Based on 660 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.