2023 Vauxhall Vivaro — MOT failures & pass rate
Across 661 MOT tests, the 2023 Vauxhall Vivaro recorded a 90.6% pass rate. Vans of a similar age fail at 8.6%, so the 2023 Vivaro sits squarely on the average. Failures cluster in lighting & signalling, visibility and tyres.
What the MOT record shows
Lighting & signalling dominates the failure mix at 8.9% of all tests — 5.3 points clear of visibility, so it is the first thing to check.
At component level the recurring items are registration plate lamp(s), headlamp aim and wipers — registration plate lamp(s) alone was recorded 29 times.
A 60-90k example is materially riskier than a 0-30k one: 26.1% versus 3.4%.
Advisories point at the next bill rather than this one: tyres was flagged on 11.7% of tests without failing them.
How it compares
Top failure categories
| # | Category | % of tests affected | Tests |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Lighting & signalling | 8.9% | 59 |
| 2 | Visibility | 3.6% | 24 |
| 3 | Tyres | 3.5% | 23 |
| 4 | Brakes | 2.3% | 15 |
| 5 | Emissions & environmental | 1.2% | 8 |
| 6 | Body, structure & corrosion | 0.9% | 6 |
Most common specific failures
The exact components most often recorded as failures — more specific than the categories above.
| # | Failure item | Times recorded |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Registration plate lamp(s) | 29 |
| 2 | Headlamp aim | 23 |
| 3 | Wipers | 22 |
| 4 | Brake pads | 14 |
| 5 | Stop lamp | 13 |
| 6 | Tread depth | 9 |
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 | 11.7% | 77 |
| 2 | Brakes | 8.8% | 58 |
| 3 | Lighting & signalling | 4.4% | 29 |
| 4 | Other defects | 3.0% | 20 |
| 5 | Visibility | 2.9% | 19 |
| 6 | Emissions & environmental | 1.5% | 10 |
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 | 356 | 3.4% |
| 30-60k | 215 | 12.6% |
| 60-90k | 69 | 26.1% |
Failure rate by age
By fuel type
| Fuel | Tests | Fail rate |
|---|---|---|
| Diesel | 436 | 12.4% |
| Electric | 225 | 3.6% |
Trend over time
| Dataset year | Tests | Fail rate |
|---|---|---|
| 2024 | 114 | 2.6% |
| 2025 | 536 | 11.0% |
What to check before buying a 2023 Vivaro
On a 2023 Vivaro, lighting & signalling is what the MOT record says goes wrong most — it appeared in 8.9% of tests. Check these areas before you commit.
- Lighting & signalling (8.9% of tests): Often a cheap bulb, but persistent issues can mean wiring or corrosion in the units. Typical repair: £10–£150.
- Visibility (3.6% of tests): Wipers, washers, mirrors and screen damage — usually inexpensive, but check for chips in the driver's line of sight. Typical repair: £15–£150.
- Tyres (3.5% of tests): Usually a quick, known-cost fix, but check tread, age and uneven wear (which can hint at alignment or suspension issues). Typical repair: £50–£120 per tyre.
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 2023 Vauxhall Vivaros pass their MOT?
90.6% of the 661 2023 Vauxhall Vivaro MOT tests in this dataset passed — a 9.4% fail rate.
What is the most common MOT failure on a 2023 Vauxhall Vivaro?
Lighting & signalling, recorded in 8.9% of tests, followed by visibility (3.6%).
Does the 2023 Vivaro get worse with mileage?
Its MOT fail rate rises from 3.4% in the 0-30k band to 26.1% in the 60-90k band.
Methodology & source. Based on 661 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.