Opel Vivaro Reliability, MOT Pass Rate & Common Faults
Free Opel Vivaro car check
Is the Opel Vivaro reliable? We analysed 2,731 real MOT tests across 262 vehicles to find out.
Got a specific Opel Vivaro? Enter the reg for a free check:
The Opel Vivaro is about average for reliability based on real UK MOT data. Common problems include track rod end ball joint has excessive play, suspension arm has excessive play in a ball joint and windscreen washer provides insufficient washer liquid. Here's everything you need to know before buying a used Opel Vivaro.
Opel Vivaro Number Plates
Number plates registered to a Opel Vivaro. Click on any registration for full vehicle details — including MOT history, mileage records, previous owners and damage history.
Opel Vivaro MOT Pass Rate by Year
How likely is a Opel Vivaro to pass its MOT? Here's the pass rate for each registration year, newest first.
Opel Vivaro Problems — What Goes Wrong?
The most common reasons a Opel Vivaro fails its MOT, ranked by how often they occur. Check for these problems before you buy.
Opel Vivaro Mileage — What's Normal?
How many miles does a typical Opel Vivaro owner drive per year? Use this to check if a car you're looking at has suspiciously low or high mileage.
Opel Vivaro MOT Data by Registration Year
Full breakdown of pass rate and mileage for each year. Use this to compare the Opel Vivaro year you're looking at.
| Year | Tests | Pass Rate | Low Mi. | Typical Mi. | High Mi. |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2008 | 139 | 66.9% | 36,125 | 66,924 | 98,210 |
| 2007 | 99 | 66.7% | 68,019 | 104,890 | 183,786 |
| 2006 | 66 | 66.7% | 59,240 | 162,023 | 222,089 |
| 2005 | 259 | 64.5% | 69,636 | 114,218 | 187,560 |
| 2004 | 575 | 70.8% | 57,554 | 98,982 | 142,204 |
| 2003 | 254 | 67.3% | 70,039 | 102,424 | 142,557 |
| 2002 | 947 | 64.9% | 67,946 | 98,368 | 132,439 |
| 2001 | 54 | 75.9% | 19,371 | 63,470 | 127,299 |
How Long Does a Opel Vivaro Last?
Based on 262 Opel Vivaro vehicles on UK roads.
Opel Vivaro Mileage Distribution
Total mileage recorded across all Opel Vivaro 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 Vivaro
Based on MOT pass rates across all registration years with sufficient test data.
75.9% MOT pass rate from 54 tests
64.5% MOT pass rate from 259 tests
The best year to buy a used Opel Vivaro is 2001, which has the highest MOT pass rate at 75.9% across 54 tests. The 2005 model year has the lowest pass rate at 64.5% — if you're looking at one from that year, budget for potential repairs and get a thorough pre-purchase inspection.
How Does the Opel Vivaro Compare?
MOT pass rates compared to similar models. Click any model for the full breakdown.
| Model | Pass Rate | Tests | Typical Mileage | Lifespan |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Opel Vivaro THIS CAR | 67.1% | 2,731 | 103,398 mi | 25 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 |
| Audi A1 SE TDI | 89.5% | 1,029 | 84,135 mi | — yrs |
Compared to the Opel Zafira (68.5% pass rate) and the Opel Astra (69.2% pass rate), the Opel Vivaro trails behind on MOT reliability.
Found a Opel Vivaro 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 VivaroShould you buy a used Opel Vivaro?
The Opel Vivaro has an overall MOT pass rate of 67.1% across 2,731 real MOT tests — roughly in line with the UK average.
The most common problems on the Opel Vivaro are track rod end ball joint has excessive play (144 recorded failures), suspension arm has excessive play in a ball joint (101), and windscreen washer provides insufficient washer liquid (85). 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 Vivaro owner drives around 7,205 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 Vivaro models stay on UK roads for around 25 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.