2016 Vauxhall Vivaro — MOT failures & pass rate
Across 125,098 MOT tests analysed for the 2016 Vauxhall Vivaro, the most common recorded failure areas were suspension, lighting & signalling and steering. Its pass rate of 76.7% was below the average for vans of a similar age (80.5%). Higher-mileage examples failed more often — 26.7% in the 150k+ group versus 13.6% in the 0-30k group.
How it compares
Top failure categories
| # | Category | % of tests affected | Tests |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Suspension | 12.7% | 15,929 |
| 2 | Lighting & signalling | 8.2% | 10,267 |
| 3 | Steering | 7.7% | 9,683 |
| 4 | Brakes | 5.3% | 6,671 |
| 5 | Tyres | 4.7% | 5,891 |
| 6 | Visibility | 3.3% | 4,125 |
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 | 11,677 |
| 2 | Coil spring | 6,450 |
| 3 | Linkage ball joints | 5,355 |
| 4 | Shock absorbers | 5,305 |
| 5 | Brake pads | 4,329 |
| 6 | Headlamp aim | 3,974 |
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 | 20.2% | 25,309 |
| 2 | Brakes | 18.8% | 23,500 |
| 3 | Suspension | 18.1% | 22,584 |
| 4 | Lighting & signalling | 9.2% | 11,527 |
| 5 | Visibility | 7.1% | 8,904 |
| 6 | Other defects | 6.8% | 8,481 |
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 | 5,220 | 13.6% |
| 30-60k | 30,401 | 19.2% |
| 60-90k | 36,792 | 24.0% |
| 90-120k | 26,552 | 25.7% |
| 120-150k | 14,763 | 26.7% |
| 150k+ | 11,235 | 26.7% |
Failure rate by age
Trend over time
| Dataset year | Tests | Fail rate |
|---|---|---|
| 2021 | 24,619 | 18.8% |
| 2022 | 24,676 | 21.0% |
| 2023 | 25,454 | 24.0% |
| 2024 | 25,758 | 26.4% |
| 2025 | 24,591 | 26.3% |
What to check before buying a 2016 Vivaro
Before buying a 2016 Vauxhall Vivaro, focus on the areas it most often fails on. Suspension accounted for 12.7% of tests for this year.
- Suspension (12.7% 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.
- 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.
- Steering (7.7% 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 2016 Vauxhall Vivaros pass their MOT?
76.7% of the 125,098 2016 Vauxhall Vivaro MOT tests in this dataset passed — a 23.3% fail rate.
What is the most common MOT failure on a 2016 Vauxhall Vivaro?
Suspension, recorded in 12.7% of tests, followed by lighting & signalling (8.2%).
Does the 2016 Vivaro get worse with mileage?
Its MOT fail rate rises from 13.6% in the 0-30k band to 26.7% in the 150k+ band.
Methodology & source. Based on 125,098 MOT tests. Dataset: DVSA MOT testing data (2021,2022,2023,2024,2025). Data last updated 2026-07-01. Figures reflect MOT-testable defects only — read the methodology for how these are calculated and what they don't measure.