Diesel Vauxhall Meriva: MOT pass rate

68.6% of diesel Vauxhall Merivas pass the MOT first time, measured across 15,883 DVSA tests on that fuel type alone. Average mileage at test was 87,795.

Diesel against the other Vauxhall Meriva versions

Why the fuel type changes the number

Diesels carry DPFs, EGR valves and stricter smoke limits, so emissions and exhaust faults account for failures petrol cars never see.

On the Vauxhall Meriva specifically, petrol is the strongest at 69.6%, and this diesel version sits 0.8 points below the 69.4% model average.

What it means if you are buying one

There is little to choose between fuel types on this model, so decide on running costs and mileage rather than MOT record. Buying a damaged one? run it through the analyzer, check the exact car, decode the VIN and check the mileage before you bid.

Mileage is part of the answer

The average diesel Vauxhall Meriva had covered 87,795 miles at test, against 72,574 for the petrol. That is above average, the point where suspension bushes, drop links and exhaust corrosion start showing up as advisories before they become failures.

Fuel type and mileage are tangled together: diesels are usually bought by higher-mileage drivers, so some of any gap between fuels is the miles rather than the engine. The per-year figures on the Vauxhall Meriva page separate age from fuel if you want to isolate one.

Most common MOT failures on a diesel Vauxhall Meriva

1. A spring or spring component fractured or seriously weakened, 10.1% of tests (4.43x the national rate for this defect)
2. A tyre cords visible or damaged, 3.9% of tests (2.3x the national rate for this defect)
3. Brake pipe damaged or excessively corroded, 2% of tests (1.84x the national rate for this defect)
4. Brake disc or drum significantly and obviously worn, 1.5% of tests (1.83x the national rate for this defect)
5. The aim of a headlamp is not within limits laid down in the requirements, 4% of tests (1.72x the national rate for this defect)
6. Windscreen washers not working or not providing sufficient fluid to clear the windscreen, 2.5% of tests (1.47x the national rate for this defect)
7. a brake lining or pad worn below 1.5mm, 3.1% of tests (1.46x the national rate for this defect)
8. A suspension pin, bush or joint excessively worn, 6.6% of tests (1.31x the national rate for this defect)
9. A steering ball joint with excessive wear or free play, 1.7% of tests (1.31x the national rate for this defect)
10. A tyre seriously damaged, 3.4% of tests (1.21x the national rate for this defect)

From 15,964 DVSA-tracked diesel Vauxhall Meriva tests, 2024, split out from the Vauxhall Meriva's other fuel types. DVSA testers marked 5.51% of these flagged defects as "dangerous", against 5.11% nationally. See which fuel type fails on the most dangerous defects nationally for how that compares across the whole fleet.

Most common MOT advisories on a diesel Vauxhall Meriva

Flagged but doesn't fail the car, a different list from the failures above.

1. A stub axle swivel pin and/or bush excessively worn, 3.9% of tests (6.04x the national rate for this defect)
2. Fluid leaking excessively and likely to harm the environment or to pose a safety risk to other road users, 13.3% of tests (2.39x the national rate for this defect)
3. A spring or spring component fractured or seriously weakened, 10.4% of tests (2.21x the national rate for this defect), also fails
4. A suspension component excessively damaged or corroded, 11.3% of tests (2.18x the national rate for this defect)
5. A steering ball joint with excessive wear or free play, 2.5% of tests (1.86x the national rate for this defect), also fails
6. Brake pipe damaged or excessively corroded, 11.4% of tests (1.84x the national rate for this defect), also fails
7. Number plate inscription missing or illegible, 3.8% of tests (1.45x the national rate for this defect)
8. Tyre tread depth not in accordance with the requirements, 34.1% of tests (1.28x the national rate for this defect)
9. A tyre seriously damaged, 19.5% of tests (1.26x the national rate for this defect), also fails
10. A shock absorber damaged to the extent that it does not function or showing signs of severe leakage, 4.9% of tests (1.26x the national rate for this defect)

From 15,964 DVSA-tracked diesel Vauxhall Meriva tests, 2024.

Other Vauxhall Meriva fuel types

• Petrol Vauxhall Meriva - 69.6%

All Vauxhall Meriva MOT data · Every model