2008 Vauxhall Meriva MOT pass rate: 57.5% (15,489 tests)
Is the 2008 Meriva getting worse?
Pass rate of 2008-registered cars across recent test years:
| Test year | Pass rate | |
|---|---|---|
| 2023 | 58.2% -7.2 vs same-age |
|
| 2024 | 57.4% -7.4 vs same-age |
|
| 2025 | 56.7% -8.5 vs same-age |
The raw rate normally falls as cars age. The “vs same-age” figure compares this cohort with all UK cars registered in the same year, so normal ageing is not mistaken for a bad model year.
What fails on a 2008 Meriva
| # | System | Defects recorded | Share |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Suspension | 5,461 | 23.0% |
| 2 | Brakes | 5,192 | 21.9% |
| 3 | Lamps, reflectors and electrical equipment | 4,986 | 21.0% |
| 4 | Body, chassis, structure | 2,015 | 8.5% |
| 5 | Noise, emissions and leaks | 1,785 | 7.5% |
| 6 | Tyres | 1,757 | 7.4% |
All Meriva years compared
| Registration year | Tests | Pass rate | Vs same-age | Median mileage |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2004 | 5,259 | 55.1% | -9.2 pts | 88,802 |
| 2005 | 7,170 | 54.8% | -9.6 pts | 89,108 |
| 2006 | 11,512 | 55.2% | -9.2 pts | 87,388 |
| 2007 | 13,929 | 57.1% | -8.1 pts | 85,739 |
| 2008 (this page) | 15,489 | 57.5% | -7.6 pts | 84,654 |
| 2009 | 15,545 | 59.2% | -7.2 pts | 79,288 |
| 2010 | 28,781 | 65.0% | -2.4 pts | 82,366 |
| 2011 | 43,001 | 70.1% | +0.9 pts | 83,847 |
| 2012 | 26,213 | 72.1% | +0.9 pts | 73,912 |
| 2013 | 22,951 | 70.5% | -2.8 pts | 65,094 |
| 2014 | 22,450 | 76.0% | +0.1 pts | 57,364 |
| 2015 | 24,388 | 77.1% | -1.6 pts | 51,967 |
| 2016 | 19,226 | 79.0% | -2.3 pts | 45,084 |
| 2017 | 13,246 | 80.8% | -3.2 pts | 37,962 |
Weighing up which year to buy? See the full ranking: Vauxhall Meriva years to avoid.
- Free MOT history checkThe exact car’s failures, advisories and mileage trail — sellers can’t edit it
- Topdon OBD2 scannersTopdon diagnostic scanners with full-system readouts
- XTOOL diagnostic toolsXTOOL code readers for petrol and diesel cars
- Autel UK testersAutel professional-grade diagnostic testers
FAQs
Is a 2008 Vauxhall Meriva reliable?
2008-registered examples passed 57.5% of their MOT tests (15,489 tests, 2023–2025), -7.6 points versus all UK cars registered in the same year. At roughly 18 years old with a median 84,654 miles, condition now varies car by car — always check the individual MOT history.
What mileage is too high for a 2008 Meriva?
The median tested example shows 84,654 miles. Anything far beyond that isn't automatically bad — a motorway-mile car with consistent service records often beats a low-mileage school-run car — but price accordingly and scrutinise the mileage trail for gaps or drops.
Should I buy the petrol or diesel 2008 Meriva?
In this cohort petrols pass 58.0% of tests against 52.4% for diesels. Mileage and use can explain part of that gap, so treat it as a reason to inspect DPF and emissions history, not a fuel-type verdict.
Source: DVSA Anonymised MOT tests and results, 2023–2025 extracts (96 million Class 4 initial tests; retests excluded). Only vehicles old enough for a routine first MOT are included. Age-adjusted figures compare the model-year cohort with all vehicles of the same registration year tested in the same calendar year. Contains public sector information licensed under OGL v3.0.