2019 Vauxhall Vivaro — MOT failures & pass rate
Across 28,482 MOT tests analysed for the 2019 Vauxhall Vivaro, the most common recorded failure areas were suspension, lighting & signalling and brakes. Its pass rate of 82.1% was below the average for vans of a similar age (84.9%). Higher-mileage examples failed more often — 23.5% in the 150k+ group versus 9.8% in the 0-30k group.
How it compares
Top failure categories
| # | Category | % of tests affected | Tests |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Suspension | 7.6% | 2,166 |
| 2 | Lighting & signalling | 7.0% | 2,007 |
| 3 | Brakes | 4.8% | 1,355 |
| 4 | Tyres | 3.9% | 1,123 |
| 5 | Emissions & environmental | 3.8% | 1,081 |
| 6 | Visibility | 3.0% | 849 |
Most common specific failures
The exact components most often recorded as failures — more specific than the categories above.
| # | Failure item | Times recorded |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Brake pads | 1,061 |
| 2 | Shock absorbers | 931 |
| 3 | Headlamp aim | 923 |
| 4 | Malfunction indicator lamp | 914 |
| 5 | Track rod end | 670 |
| 6 | Linkage ball joints | 666 |
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 | 18.8% | 5,348 |
| 2 | Brakes | 18.1% | 5,159 |
| 3 | Suspension | 13.2% | 3,754 |
| 4 | Visibility | 6.8% | 1,935 |
| 5 | Other defects | 6.4% | 1,829 |
| 6 | Lighting & signalling | 5.8% | 1,662 |
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 | 3,791 | 9.8% |
| 30-60k | 10,000 | 16.6% |
| 60-90k | 8,138 | 20.1% |
| 90-120k | 4,222 | 21.9% |
| 120-150k | 1,559 | 20.9% |
| 150k+ | 770 | 23.5% |
Failure rate by age
Trend over time
| Dataset year | Tests | Fail rate |
|---|---|---|
| 2021 | 506 | 10.5% |
| 2022 | 6,915 | 15.0% |
| 2023 | 7,129 | 17.5% |
| 2024 | 7,069 | 19.5% |
| 2025 | 6,863 | 20.3% |
What to check before buying a 2019 Vivaro
Before buying a 2019 Vauxhall Vivaro, focus on the areas it most often fails on. Suspension accounted for 7.6% of tests for this year.
- Suspension (7.6% 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 (7.0% of tests): Often a cheap bulb, but persistent issues can mean wiring or corrosion in the units. Typical repair: £10–£150.
- Brakes (4.8% 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 2019 Vauxhall Vivaros pass their MOT?
82.1% of the 28,482 2019 Vauxhall Vivaro MOT tests in this dataset passed — a 17.9% fail rate.
What is the most common MOT failure on a 2019 Vauxhall Vivaro?
Suspension, recorded in 7.6% of tests, followed by lighting & signalling (7.0%).
Does the 2019 Vivaro get worse with mileage?
Its MOT fail rate rises from 9.8% in the 0-30k band to 23.5% in the 150k+ band.
Methodology & source. Based on 28,482 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.