2015 Vauxhall Vivaro — MOT failures & pass rate
147,350 MOT tests on the 2015 Vauxhall Vivaro are in this dataset, and 74.3% of them passed. Vans of a similar age fail 21.3% of the time, so this is 4.4pp worse than the group it competes with. Failures cluster in suspension, steering and lighting & signalling.
What the MOT record shows
One area stands out: suspension, recorded in 15.1% of tests against 10.6% for the next-worst category.
At component level the recurring items are track rod end, linkage ball joints and coil spring — track rod end alone was recorded 19,260 times.
Condition tracks the odometer closely. Failures run at 17.0% in the 0-30k band and 27.3% in the 150k+ band, a 10.3-point spread.
Tyres is the most common advisory, noted on 22.0% of tests — work that passed today but is likely due soon.
The trend is worsening — 22.4% of tests failed in 2021 against 28.1% in 2025, the usual pattern as a fleet ages.
How it compares
Top failure categories
| # | Category | % of tests affected | Tests |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Suspension | 15.1% | 22,266 |
| 2 | Steering | 10.6% | 15,682 |
| 3 | Lighting & signalling | 8.2% | 12,056 |
| 4 | Brakes | 6.3% | 9,207 |
| 5 | Tyres | 4.5% | 6,603 |
| 6 | Visibility | 3.4% | 5,001 |
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 | 19,260 |
| 2 | Linkage ball joints | 9,318 |
| 3 | Coil spring | 8,820 |
| 4 | Shock absorbers | 5,627 |
| 5 | Brake pads | 5,230 |
| 6 | Ball joint | 4,631 |
Top advisory categories
Advisories aren't failures, but they flag work likely needed soon — useful when budgeting.
| # | Category | % of tests with advisory | Tests |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Tyres | 22.0% | 32,404 |
| 2 | Suspension | 21.9% | 32,263 |
| 3 | Brakes | 21.2% | 31,197 |
| 4 | Lighting & signalling | 11.9% | 17,595 |
| 5 | Visibility | 8.2% | 12,003 |
| 6 | Other defects | 7.9% | 11,685 |
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 | 2,519 | 17.0% |
| 30-60k | 19,188 | 19.6% |
| 60-90k | 41,995 | 25.2% |
| 90-120k | 39,929 | 27.4% |
| 120-150k | 24,324 | 27.9% |
| 150k+ | 18,846 | 27.3% |
Failure rate by age
Trend over time
| Dataset year | Tests | Fail rate |
|---|---|---|
| 2021 | 29,601 | 22.4% |
| 2022 | 29,786 | 24.4% |
| 2023 | 29,815 | 26.0% |
| 2024 | 29,518 | 27.7% |
| 2025 | 28,630 | 28.1% |
What to check before buying a 2015 Vivaro
The failure pattern for this year is specific enough to inspect against: suspension accounted for 15.1% of tests. Start there.
- Suspension (15.1% 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.
- Steering (10.6% of tests): Play, leaks or worn track rod ends — affects handling and is a safety item. Typical repair: £150–£500.
- Lighting & signalling (8.2% of tests): Often a cheap bulb, but persistent issues can mean wiring or corrosion in the units. Typical repair: £10–£150.
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 2015 Vauxhall Vivaros pass their MOT?
74.3% of the 147,350 2015 Vauxhall Vivaro MOT tests in this dataset passed — a 25.7% fail rate.
What is the most common MOT failure on a 2015 Vauxhall Vivaro?
Suspension, recorded in 15.1% of tests, followed by steering (10.6%).
Does the 2015 Vivaro get worse with mileage?
Its MOT fail rate rises from 17.0% in the 0-30k band to 27.3% in the 150k+ band.
Methodology & source. Based on 147,350 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.