2017 Vauxhall Vivaro — MOT failures & pass rate
The 2017 Vauxhall Vivaro passed 78.3% of its 78,499 recorded MOT tests. Against vans of a similar age (17.8% fail rate), the 2017 Vivaro comes out 3.9pp worse. Failures cluster in suspension, lighting & signalling and steering.
What the MOT record shows
One area stands out: suspension, recorded in 11.2% of tests against 7.6% for the next-worst category.
At component level the recurring items are track rod end, malfunction indicator lamp and linkage ball joints — track rod end alone was recorded 5,681 times.
A 150k+ example is materially riskier than a 0-30k one: 24.7% versus 12.3%.
Tyres is the most common advisory, noted on 19.7% of tests — work that passed today but is likely due soon.
The trend is worsening — 17.0% of tests failed in 2021 against 25.1% in 2025, the usual pattern as a fleet ages.
How it compares
Top failure categories
| # | Category | % of tests affected | Tests |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Suspension | 11.2% | 8,749 |
| 2 | Lighting & signalling | 7.6% | 5,936 |
| 3 | Steering | 6.0% | 4,746 |
| 4 | Emissions & environmental | 5.1% | 4,033 |
| 5 | Brakes | 4.9% | 3,857 |
| 6 | Tyres | 4.1% | 3,213 |
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 | 5,681 |
| 2 | Malfunction indicator lamp | 3,782 |
| 3 | Linkage ball joints | 3,013 |
| 4 | Brake pads | 2,880 |
| 5 | Shock absorbers | 2,811 |
| 6 | Ball joint | 2,665 |
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 | 19.7% | 15,434 |
| 2 | Brakes | 18.6% | 14,641 |
| 3 | Suspension | 17.4% | 13,651 |
| 4 | Visibility | 8.3% | 6,475 |
| 5 | Lighting & signalling | 8.1% | 6,387 |
| 6 | Other defects | 6.5% | 5,098 |
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 | 5,238 | 12.3% |
| 30-60k | 20,720 | 18.4% |
| 60-90k | 23,188 | 22.8% |
| 90-120k | 15,892 | 25.1% |
| 120-150k | 8,107 | 24.7% |
| 150k+ | 5,212 | 24.7% |
Failure rate by age
Trend over time
| Dataset year | Tests | Fail rate |
|---|---|---|
| 2021 | 15,350 | 17.0% |
| 2022 | 15,474 | 19.4% |
| 2023 | 15,751 | 21.8% |
| 2024 | 16,156 | 25.0% |
| 2025 | 15,768 | 25.1% |
What to check before buying a 2017 Vivaro
The failure pattern for this year is specific enough to inspect against: suspension accounted for 11.2% of tests. Start there.
- Suspension (11.2% 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 (7.6% of tests): Often a cheap bulb, but persistent issues can mean wiring or corrosion in the units. Typical repair: £10–£150.
- Steering (6.0% 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 2017 Vauxhall Vivaros pass their MOT?
78.3% of the 78,499 2017 Vauxhall Vivaro MOT tests in this dataset passed — a 21.7% fail rate.
What is the most common MOT failure on a 2017 Vauxhall Vivaro?
Suspension, recorded in 11.2% of tests, followed by lighting & signalling (7.6%).
Does the 2017 Vivaro get worse with mileage?
Its MOT fail rate rises from 12.3% in the 0-30k band to 24.7% in the 150k+ band.
Methodology & source. Based on 78,499 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.