Opel Meriva Reliability, MOT Pass Rate & Common Faults
Free Opel Meriva car check
Is the Opel Meriva reliable? We analysed 886 real MOT tests across 115 vehicles to find out.
Got a specific Opel Meriva? Enter the reg for a free check:
The Opel Meriva is about average for reliability based on real UK MOT data. Common problems include headlamp aim beam image kick up to the offside, stop lamp not working and position lamp(s) not working. Here's everything you need to know before buying a used Opel Meriva.
Opel Meriva Number Plates
Number plates registered to a Opel Meriva. Click on any registration for full vehicle details — including MOT history, mileage records, previous owners and damage history.
Opel Meriva MOT Pass Rate by Year
How likely is a Opel Meriva to pass its MOT? Here's the pass rate for each registration year, newest first.
Opel Meriva Problems — What Goes Wrong?
The most common reasons a Opel Meriva fails its MOT, ranked by how often they occur. Check for these problems before you buy.
Opel Meriva Mileage — What's Normal?
How many miles does a typical Opel Meriva owner drive per year? Use this to check if a car you're looking at has suspiciously low or high mileage.
Opel Meriva MOT Data by Registration Year
Full breakdown of pass rate and mileage for each year. Use this to compare the Opel Meriva year you're looking at.
| Year | Tests | Pass Rate | Low Mi. | Typical Mi. | High Mi. |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2007 | 92 | 65.2% | 65,463 | 86,533 | 115,462 |
| 2006 | 148 | 66.2% | 46,216 | 80,836 | 131,972 |
| 2005 | 143 | 69.2% | 37,542 | 54,198 | 99,662 |
| 2004 | 191 | 69.1% | 43,651 | 56,548 | 77,201 |
| 2003 | 81 | 64.2% | 67,171 | 89,044 | 114,295 |
Opel Meriva Mileage Distribution
Total mileage recorded across all Opel Meriva MOT tests. If the car you're looking at is above the 75th percentile, it's done more miles than most.
Best Year to Buy a Used Opel Meriva
Based on MOT pass rates across all registration years with sufficient test data.
69.2% MOT pass rate from 143 tests
64.2% MOT pass rate from 81 tests
The best year to buy a used Opel Meriva is 2005, which has the highest MOT pass rate at 69.2% across 143 tests. The 2003 model year has the lowest pass rate at 64.2% — if you're looking at one from that year, budget for potential repairs and get a thorough pre-purchase inspection.
How Does the Opel Meriva Compare?
MOT pass rates compared to similar models. Click any model for the full breakdown.
| Model | Pass Rate | Tests | Typical Mileage | Lifespan |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Opel Meriva THIS CAR | 68.3% | 886 | 73,395 mi | 23 yrs |
| Opel Zafira | 68.5% | 30,915 | 93,196 mi | 27 yrs |
| Opel Astra | 69.2% | 26,435 | 84,472 mi | 28 yrs |
| Opel Corsa | 65.8% | 19,398 | 69,011 mi | 33 yrs |
| Velocette Mss | 95.2% | 1,214 | 13,594 mi | 72 yrs |
Compared to the Opel Zafira (68.5% pass rate) and the Opel Astra (69.2% pass rate), the Opel Meriva trails behind on MOT reliability.
Found a Opel Meriva you like?
Run a full vehicle history check on the specific car. See finance, stolen, write-off, mileage and MOT data for that exact vehicle.
Check a specific Opel MerivaShould you buy a used Opel Meriva?
The Opel Meriva has an overall MOT pass rate of 68.3% across 886 real MOT tests — roughly in line with the UK average.
The most common problems on the Opel Meriva are headlamp aim beam image kick up to the offside (28 recorded failures), stop lamp not working (20), and position lamp(s) not working (19). These are the faults most likely to cause an MOT failure on this model, so check for them carefully on any test drive or pre-purchase inspection. Many are wear-and-tear items that can be budgeted for, but a car that's already failing on multiple fronts may signal neglected maintenance.
A typical Opel Meriva owner drives around 5,234 miles per year. If the car you're looking at is significantly above this, expect more wear on suspension, brakes and tyres. If it's well below, the vehicle may have been sitting unused — check for perished rubber, corroded discs and stale fluids.
In terms of longevity, most Opel Meriva models stay on UK roads for around 23 years — a strong showing that suggests solid build quality and readily available parts. If you're buying one that's already approaching that window, the data suggests it has plenty of life left provided it's been maintained.
Before committing to a purchase, we recommend running a full vehicle history check on the specific car. This will reveal any outstanding finance, stolen markers, write-off history and mileage discrepancies that the seller may not disclose — and that the MOT data alone can't tell you.