Petrol Vauxhall Meriva: MOT pass rate

69.6% of petrol Vauxhall Merivas pass the MOT first time, measured across 75,497 DVSA tests on that fuel type alone. Average mileage at test was 72,574.

Petrol against the other Vauxhall Meriva versions

Why the fuel type changes the number

Petrol cars avoid the DPF and emissions failures that catch diesels, and usually fail on the same consumables as any other car.

On the Vauxhall Meriva specifically, petrol is the strongest at 69.6%, and this petrol version sits 0.2 points above 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 petrol Vauxhall Meriva had covered 72,574 miles at test, against 87,795 for the diesel. That is a shade above the middle of the range, still ordinary wear rather than a red flag, but worth checking against the service book for the car's age.

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 petrol Vauxhall Meriva

1. Brake pipe damaged or excessively corroded, 3.9% of tests (3.69x the national rate for this defect)
2. A spring or spring component fractured or seriously weakened, 8.2% of tests (3.61x the national rate for this defect)
3. Exhaust system leaking or insecure, 2.6% of tests (2.55x the national rate for this defect)
4. Engine MIL illuminated indicating a malfunction, 2.9% of tests (2.26x the national rate for this defect)
5. A steering ball joint with excessive wear or free play, 2.7% of tests (2.07x the national rate for this defect)
6. A transmission shaft constant velocity joint boot missing or no longer prevents the ingress of dirt etc, 2.5% of tests (1.65x the national rate for this defect)
7. A suspension joint dust cover missing or no longer prevents the ingress of dirt etc, 2.8% of tests (1.54x the national rate for this defect)
8. A tyre cords visible or damaged, 2.4% of tests (1.44x the national rate for this defect)
9. The aim of a headlamp is not within limits laid down in the requirements, 3.4% of tests (1.43x the national rate for this defect)
10. a brake lining or pad worn below 1.5mm, 2.9% of tests (1.37x the national rate for this defect)

From 75,935 DVSA-tracked petrol Vauxhall Meriva tests, 2024, split out from the Vauxhall Meriva's other fuel types. DVSA testers marked 4.65% 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 petrol Vauxhall Meriva

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

1. Exhaust system leaking or insecure, 10.7% of tests (3.78x the national rate for this defect), also fails
2. Brake pipe damaged or excessively corroded, 17.1% of tests (2.76x the national rate for this defect), also fails
3. Fluid leaking excessively and likely to harm the environment or to pose a safety risk to other road users, 14.7% of tests (2.65x the national rate for this defect)
4. A brake hose ferrule excessively corroded, 3.1% of tests (2.44x the national rate for this defect)
5. A shock absorber damaged to the extent that it does not function or showing signs of severe leakage, 8.7% of tests (2.22x the national rate for this defect)
6. A steering ball joint with excessive wear or free play, 2.7% of tests (2.04x the national rate for this defect), also fails
7. A spring or spring component fractured or seriously weakened, 8% of tests (1.7x the national rate for this defect), also fails
8. A suspension component excessively damaged or corroded, 8.4% of tests (1.63x the national rate for this defect)
9. Number plate inscription missing or illegible, 4.3% of tests (1.61x the national rate for this defect)
10. A tyre seriously damaged, 22.5% of tests (1.46x the national rate for this defect)

From 75,935 DVSA-tracked petrol Vauxhall Meriva tests, 2024.

Other Vauxhall Meriva fuel types

• Diesel Vauxhall Meriva - 68.6%

All Vauxhall Meriva MOT data · Every model