2010 Vauxhall Vivaro — MOT failures & pass rate
48,557 MOT tests on the 2010 Vauxhall Vivaro are in this dataset, and 66.9% of them passed. Against vans of a similar age (27.5% fail rate), the 2010 Vivaro comes out 5.6pp worse. Failures cluster in lighting & signalling, suspension and brakes.
What the MOT record shows
No single area dominates — lighting & signalling (19.2%) and suspension (18.9%) 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 5,316 times.
A 150k+ example is materially riskier than a 0-30k one: 33.8% versus 25.7%.
Advisories point at the next bill rather than this one: brakes was flagged on 42.8% of tests without failing them.
How it compares
Top failure categories
| # | Category | % of tests affected | Tests |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Lighting & signalling | 19.2% | 9,343 |
| 2 | Suspension | 18.9% | 9,183 |
| 3 | Brakes | 16.5% | 8,029 |
| 4 | Steering | 10.1% | 4,882 |
| 5 | Visibility | 7.6% | 3,691 |
| 6 | Body, structure & corrosion | 7.1% | 3,468 |
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 | 5,316 |
| 2 | Ball joint | 4,934 |
| 3 | Rigid brake pipes | 4,545 |
| 4 | Rbt (sp) | 3,985 |
| 5 | Position lamp | 3,950 |
| 6 | Joints | 2,879 |
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 | 42.8% | 20,761 |
| 2 | Suspension | 27.6% | 13,402 |
| 3 | Tyres | 24.4% | 11,856 |
| 4 | Other defects | 14.1% | 6,861 |
| 5 | Emissions & environmental | 14.0% | 6,788 |
| 6 | Visibility | 10.9% | 5,318 |
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 | 315 | 25.7% |
| 30-60k | 1,005 | 24.3% |
| 60-90k | 4,885 | 30.9% |
| 90-120k | 9,812 | 32.9% |
| 120-150k | 12,570 | 33.6% |
| 150k+ | 19,701 | 33.8% |
Failure rate by age
By fuel type
| Fuel | Tests | Fail rate |
|---|---|---|
| Diesel | 48,522 | 33.1% |
| Petrol | 30 | 30.0% |
Trend over time
| Dataset year | Tests | Fail rate |
|---|---|---|
| 2021 | 10,912 | 32.9% |
| 2022 | 10,309 | 32.7% |
| 2023 | 9,910 | 32.9% |
| 2024 | 9,174 | 33.9% |
| 2025 | 8,252 | 33.1% |
What to check before buying a 2010 Vivaro
On a 2010 Vivaro, lighting & signalling is what the MOT record says goes wrong most — it appeared in 19.2% of tests. Check these areas before you commit.
- Lighting & signalling (19.2% of tests): Often a cheap bulb, but persistent issues can mean wiring or corrosion in the units. Typical repair: £10–£150.
- Suspension (18.9% 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 (16.5% 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 2010 Vauxhall Vivaros pass their MOT?
66.9% of the 48,557 2010 Vauxhall Vivaro MOT tests in this dataset passed — a 33.1% fail rate.
What is the most common MOT failure on a 2010 Vauxhall Vivaro?
Lighting & signalling, recorded in 19.2% of tests, followed by suspension (18.9%).
Does the 2010 Vivaro get worse with mileage?
Its MOT fail rate rises from 25.7% in the 0-30k band to 33.8% in the 150k+ band.
Methodology & source. Based on 48,557 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.