2014 Vauxhall Vivaro — MOT failures & pass rate
Across 87,443 MOT tests, the 2014 Vauxhall Vivaro recorded a 71.9% pass rate. Vans of a similar age fail 22.9% of the time, so this is 5.1pp worse than the group it competes with. Failures cluster in lighting & signalling, suspension and steering.
What the MOT record shows
No single area dominates — lighting & signalling (14.6%) and suspension (14.4%) are close, so failures are spread across several systems rather than one weak point.
At component level the recurring items are track rod end, position lamp and pins and bushes — track rod end alone was recorded 11,611 times.
Mileage is the strongest signal on the record: 18.1% of 0-30k cars fail, rising to 30.2% once past 150k.
Advisories point at the next bill rather than this one: brakes was flagged on 28.4% of tests without failing them.
The trend is worsening — 25.9% of tests failed in 2021 against 29.7% in 2025, the usual pattern as a fleet ages.
How it compares
Top failure categories
| # | Category | % of tests affected | Tests |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Lighting & signalling | 14.6% | 12,756 |
| 2 | Suspension | 14.4% | 12,581 |
| 3 | Steering | 11.2% | 9,769 |
| 4 | Brakes | 9.0% | 7,847 |
| 5 | Visibility | 5.3% | 4,616 |
| 6 | Tyres | 4.4% | 3,857 |
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 | 11,611 |
| 2 | Position lamp | 5,320 |
| 3 | Pins and bushes | 4,011 |
| 4 | Ball joint | 3,403 |
| 5 | Malfunction indicator lamp | 3,372 |
| 6 | Linkage ball joints | 3,328 |
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 | 28.4% | 24,860 |
| 2 | Suspension | 22.9% | 20,045 |
| 3 | Tyres | 21.8% | 19,098 |
| 4 | Other defects | 10.2% | 8,890 |
| 5 | Visibility | 9.1% | 7,987 |
| 6 | Lighting & signalling | 8.6% | 7,510 |
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 | 1,307 | 18.1% |
| 30-60k | 9,125 | 22.0% |
| 60-90k | 21,086 | 26.8% |
| 90-120k | 22,873 | 29.3% |
| 120-150k | 16,487 | 30.1% |
| 150k+ | 16,458 | 30.2% |
Failure rate by age
Trend over time
| Dataset year | Tests | Fail rate |
|---|---|---|
| 2021 | 17,846 | 25.9% |
| 2022 | 17,697 | 26.7% |
| 2023 | 17,894 | 28.8% |
| 2024 | 17,265 | 29.4% |
| 2025 | 16,741 | 29.7% |
What to check before buying a 2014 Vivaro
On a 2014 Vivaro, lighting & signalling is what the MOT record says goes wrong most — it appeared in 14.6% of tests. Check these areas before you commit.
- Lighting & signalling (14.6% of tests): Often a cheap bulb, but persistent issues can mean wiring or corrosion in the units. Typical repair: £10–£150.
- Suspension (14.4% 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.
- Steering (11.2% of tests): Play, leaks or worn track rod ends — affects handling and is a safety item. Typical repair: £150–£500.
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 2014 Vauxhall Vivaros pass their MOT?
71.9% of the 87,443 2014 Vauxhall Vivaro MOT tests in this dataset passed — a 28.1% fail rate.
What is the most common MOT failure on a 2014 Vauxhall Vivaro?
Lighting & signalling, recorded in 14.6% of tests, followed by suspension (14.4%).
Does the 2014 Vivaro get worse with mileage?
Its MOT fail rate rises from 18.1% in the 0-30k band to 30.2% in the 150k+ band.
Methodology & source. Based on 87,443 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.