2003 Vauxhall Vivaro — MOT failures & pass rate
The 2003 Vauxhall Vivaro passed 65.9% of its 17,320 recorded MOT tests. Against vans of a similar age (30.0% fail rate), the 2003 Vivaro comes out 4.1pp worse. Failures cluster in lighting & signalling, suspension and brakes.
What the MOT record shows
No single area dominates — lighting & signalling (22.2%) and suspension (20.1%) are close, so failures are spread across several systems rather than one weak point.
At component level the recurring items are ball joint, service brake performance and track rod end — ball joint alone was recorded 1,817 times.
Mileage is the strongest signal on the record: 28.8% of 0-30k cars fail, rising to 34.4% once past 150k.
Advisories point at the next bill rather than this one: brakes was flagged on 43.0% of tests without failing them.
The trend is improving — the fail rate fell from 34.8% in 2021 to 33.1% in 2025, as the worst-kept examples leave the fleet.
How it compares
Top failure categories
| # | Category | % of tests affected | Tests |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Lighting & signalling | 22.2% | 3,839 |
| 2 | Suspension | 20.1% | 3,474 |
| 3 | Brakes | 18.9% | 3,283 |
| 4 | Visibility | 11.2% | 1,933 |
| 5 | Body, structure & corrosion | 9.3% | 1,615 |
| 6 | Steering | 9.2% | 1,596 |
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 | 1,817 |
| 2 | Service brake performance | 1,646 |
| 3 | Track rod end | 1,569 |
| 4 | Rbt (sp) | 1,536 |
| 5 | Washers | 1,475 |
| 6 | Position lamp | 1,472 |
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 | 43.0% | 7,447 |
| 2 | Suspension | 38.2% | 6,621 |
| 3 | Emissions & environmental | 28.9% | 5,011 |
| 4 | Other defects | 24.9% | 4,314 |
| 5 | Tyres | 24.0% | 4,163 |
| 6 | Body, structure & corrosion | 15.3% | 2,657 |
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 | 66 | 28.8% |
| 30-60k | 106 | 34.9% |
| 60-90k | 821 | 34.1% |
| 90-120k | 2,320 | 33.5% |
| 120-150k | 4,333 | 33.8% |
| 150k+ | 9,532 | 34.4% |
Failure rate by age
By fuel type
| Fuel | Tests | Fail rate |
|---|---|---|
| Diesel | 17,268 | 34.1% |
| Petrol | 52 | 38.5% |
Trend over time
| Dataset year | Tests | Fail rate |
|---|---|---|
| 2021 | 4,840 | 34.8% |
| 2022 | 4,194 | 34.5% |
| 2023 | 3,401 | 34.0% |
| 2024 | 2,721 | 33.2% |
| 2025 | 2,164 | 33.1% |
What to check before buying a 2003 Vivaro
On a 2003 Vivaro, lighting & signalling is what the MOT record says goes wrong most — it appeared in 22.2% of tests. Check these areas before you commit.
- Lighting & signalling (22.2% of tests): Often a cheap bulb, but persistent issues can mean wiring or corrosion in the units. Typical repair: £10–£150.
- Suspension (20.1% 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 (18.9% 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 2003 Vauxhall Vivaros pass their MOT?
65.9% of the 17,320 2003 Vauxhall Vivaro MOT tests in this dataset passed — a 34.1% fail rate.
What is the most common MOT failure on a 2003 Vauxhall Vivaro?
Lighting & signalling, recorded in 22.2% of tests, followed by suspension (20.1%).
Does the 2003 Vivaro get worse with mileage?
Its MOT fail rate rises from 28.8% in the 0-30k band to 34.4% in the 150k+ band.
Methodology & source. Based on 17,320 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.