2007 Vauxhall Vivaro — MOT failures & pass rate
65,430 MOT tests on the 2007 Vauxhall Vivaro are in this dataset, and 67.5% of them passed. Against vans of a similar age (29.2% fail rate), the 2007 Vivaro comes out 3.3pp worse. Failures cluster in lighting & signalling, suspension and brakes.
What the MOT record shows
No single area dominates — lighting & signalling (20.4%) and suspension (19.0%) are close, so failures are spread across several systems rather than one weak point.
At component level the recurring items are track rod end, ball joint and rigid brake pipes — track rod end alone was recorded 6,616 times.
Mileage is the strongest signal on the record: 22.8% of 0-30k cars fail, rising to 32.8% once past 150k.
Advisories point at the next bill rather than this one: brakes was flagged on 44.2% of tests without failing them.
How it compares
Top failure categories
| # | Category | % of tests affected | Tests |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Lighting & signalling | 20.4% | 13,379 |
| 2 | Suspension | 19.0% | 12,408 |
| 3 | Brakes | 17.3% | 11,295 |
| 4 | Steering | 9.9% | 6,481 |
| 5 | Visibility | 8.0% | 5,225 |
| 6 | Body, structure & corrosion | 5.6% | 3,640 |
Most common specific failures
The exact components most often recorded as failures — more specific than the categories above.
| # | Failure item | Times recorded |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Track rod end | 6,616 |
| 2 | Ball joint | 6,304 |
| 3 | Rigid brake pipes | 5,897 |
| 4 | Position lamp | 5,240 |
| 5 | Rbt (sp) | 5,119 |
| 6 | Stop lamp | 3,835 |
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 | 44.2% | 28,937 |
| 2 | Suspension | 33.9% | 22,159 |
| 3 | Tyres | 25.1% | 16,387 |
| 4 | Emissions & environmental | 23.3% | 15,233 |
| 5 | Other defects | 19.9% | 12,989 |
| 6 | Lighting & signalling | 11.1% | 7,274 |
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 | 123 | 22.8% |
| 30-60k | 705 | 26.4% |
| 60-90k | 4,292 | 28.8% |
| 90-120k | 12,721 | 32.4% |
| 120-150k | 18,191 | 33.3% |
| 150k+ | 29,277 | 32.8% |
Failure rate by age
By fuel type
| Fuel | Tests | Fail rate |
|---|---|---|
| Diesel | 65,368 | 32.5% |
| Petrol | 62 | 22.6% |
Trend over time
| Dataset year | Tests | Fail rate |
|---|---|---|
| 2021 | 16,011 | 32.4% |
| 2022 | 14,863 | 32.1% |
| 2023 | 13,362 | 32.8% |
| 2024 | 11,565 | 33.1% |
| 2025 | 9,629 | 32.3% |
What to check before buying a 2007 Vivaro
On a 2007 Vivaro, lighting & signalling is what the MOT record says goes wrong most — it appeared in 20.4% of tests. Check these areas before you commit.
- Lighting & signalling (20.4% of tests): Often a cheap bulb, but persistent issues can mean wiring or corrosion in the units. Typical repair: £10–£150.
- Suspension (19.0% 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 (17.3% 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 2007 Vauxhall Vivaros pass their MOT?
67.5% of the 65,430 2007 Vauxhall Vivaro MOT tests in this dataset passed — a 32.5% fail rate.
What is the most common MOT failure on a 2007 Vauxhall Vivaro?
Lighting & signalling, recorded in 20.4% of tests, followed by suspension (19.0%).
Does the 2007 Vivaro get worse with mileage?
Its MOT fail rate rises from 22.8% in the 0-30k band to 32.8% in the 150k+ band.
Methodology & source. Based on 65,430 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.