Vauxhall Meriva reliability, MPG and running costs
Figures updated
The Vauxhall Meriva is a mpv / people carrier. In 2024 MOT tests it scored 91 for reliability (100 is average), ranking 326 of 442, and 37.0% failed first time against a UK average of 28.5%. Its most common MOT failure is coil spring (7.7% of tests).
Ranked 326 of 442 cars in the 2024 MOT Reliability League, and 12 of 20 people carriers
In 2024, 91,186 Vauxhall Merivas aged 3 to 20 had an MOT and 37.0% failed first time (UK average 28.5%). Taking age and mileage into account, the Vauxhall Meriva is 10% more likely to fail than the average car of the same age and mileage.
First-time fail rate
37.0%
UK 28.5%
Fail rate at 3 years
–
UK 12.7%
Average miles a year
6,200
Typical age at test: 12 years
Vauxhall Meriva MOT failure rate by age
Most common Vauxhall Meriva MOT faults
- Coil spring: fractured or broken7.7% of tests
- Malfunction indicator lamp: inoperative or indicates a malfunction3.1% of tests
- Position lamp: not working2.8% of tests
- Brake pads: less than 1.5 mm thick2.7% of tests
- Headlamp aim: projected beam image is obviously incorrect2.6% of tests
- Stop lamp: not working2.5% of tests
What the Vauxhall Meriva fails on
| Area | Tests failing | vs similar cars |
|---|---|---|
| Suspension | 15.3% | ▲ 1.3× as often |
| Lights and electrics | 13.3% | About average |
| Brakes | 9.3% | ▲ 1.2× as often |
| Tyres | 7.6% | ▲ 1.1× as often |
| Visibility | 5.5% | About average |
| Exhaust and emissions | 5.5% | ▲ 1.4× as often |
| Body and structure | 5.1% | ▲ 1.2× as often |
| Steering | 3.2% | ▲ 1.3× as often |
| Seat belts and airbags | 1.0% | About average |
| Wheels | 0.2% | ▼ 41% less often |
What MPG does the Vauxhall Meriva do?
Official economy for the Vauxhall Meriva ranges from 34.4 to 72.4mpg across the 65 versions listed by the Vehicle Certification Agency (2004–2017). A typical petrol version manages 47.1mpg and a typical diesel 57.6mpg. Expect 10–15% less in real-world driving.
Work out a journey's fuel costHow much is road tax on a Vauxhall Meriva?
Any Vauxhall Meriva first registered from April 2017 pays the standard rate of £200 a year after its first year (2026/27 rates). A Vauxhall Meriva registered between March 2001 and March 2017 is taxed on its CO2: £20 to £410 a year.
Work out tax for a specific carVauxhall Meriva specs and running costs
Official figures for 65 versions sold in the UK between 2004 and 2017.
Fuel types
Diesel, Petrol
Official economy
34.4–72.4 mpg
CO2
104–196 g/km
| Version | Fuel | Economy | CO2 | Car tax |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Meriva 1.6 CDTi 136PS SE ecoFLEX with 16'' and 17'' wheelsM6 · listed 2017 | Diesel | 64.2 mpg | 116g | £200 |
| Meriva 1.6 CDTi 136PS SE ecoFLEX Stop/Start with 16'' and 17'' wheelsM6 · listed 2017 | Diesel | 64.2 mpg | 116g | £200 |
| Meriva 1.4i 100PS 16v SE with 15'', 16'' and 17'' wheelsM5 · listed 2017 | Petrol | 47.1 mpg | 140g | £200 |
| Meriva 1.4i 100PS Tech Line 16v with 15'', 16'' and 17'' wheelsM5 · listed 2017 | Petrol | 47.1 mpg | 140g | £200 |
| Meriva 1.4i 120PS SE 16v Turbo with 15'', 16'' and 17'' wheelsM5 · listed 2017 | Petrol | 47.9 mpg | 139g | £200 |
| Meriva 1.4i 100PS Life 16v with 15'', 16'' and 17'' wheelsM5 · listed 2017 | Petrol | 47.1 mpg | 140g | £200 |
| Meriva 1.4i 120PS 16v Exclusive Turbo A/C with 15'', 16'' and 17'' wheelsA6 · listed 2017 | Petrol | 39.8 mpg | 166g | £200 |
| Meriva 1.6 CDTi 16v 136PS Elite ecoFLEX Start/Stop with 16" and 17" wheelsM6 · listed 2015 | Diesel | 72.4 mpg | 104g | £20 |
| Meriva 1.7 CDTi 130PS Exclusive A/C with 16" and 17" wheelsM6 · listed 2015 | Diesel | 53.3 mpg | 139g | £200 |
| Meriva 1.6 CDTi 136PS SE ecoFLEX with 16", 17" and 18" wheelsM6 · listed 2015 | Diesel | 64.2 mpg | 116g | £35 |
| Meriva 1.4i 100PS 16v Energy with 15", 16" and 17" wheelsM5 · listed 2015 | Petrol | 47.1 mpg | 140g | £200 |
| Meriva 1.4i 120PS SE 16v Turbo with 14", 15" & 16" wheelsM5 · listed 2015 | Petrol | 47.9 mpg | 139g | £200 |
| Meriva 1.6 CDTi 16v 136PS Elite ecoFLEX Stop/Start with 16" and 17" wheelsManual · listed 2014 | Diesel | 72.4 mpg | 104g | £20 |
| Meriva 1.7 CDTi 130PS Exclusive A/C with 16" and 17" wheelsManual · listed 2014 | Diesel | 53.3 mpg | 139g | £200 |
| Meriva 1.7CDTi 110PS with A/C and 17" wheelsAutomatic · listed 2014 | Diesel | 46.3 mpg | 160g | £275 |
Economy and CO2 are official NEDC (before 2018) or WLTP figures. Car tax is the yearly rate at current rates for a car first registered in the year listed, before any expensive car supplement. Showing the 15 most recent of 65 versions.
What a Vauxhall Meriva costs to fuel
- petrol, typical official 47.1mpg…
- diesel, typical official 57.6mpg…
Official figures are usually 10–15% better than real-world driving.
Work out a journey in a Vauxhall MerivaBuying a used Vauxhall Meriva?
Check the MOT history of the exact car: every result, advisory and mileage reading, free.
Compare the Vauxhall Meriva with other people carriers
Reliability, economy, car tax and running costs side by side.
Other Vauxhall models
Frequently asked questions
›Is the Vauxhall Meriva reliable?
Its MOT record is worse than average: the Vauxhall Meriva is 10% more likely to fail than the average car of the same age and mileage, with a reliability score of 91 in our 2024 league (100 is average).
›What are common problems with the Vauxhall Meriva?
The most common MOT fault is “Coil spring: fractured or broken”, found in 7.7% of tests. It fails on exhaust and emissions and suspension more often than similar cars.
›What MPG does the Vauxhall Meriva do?
Official economy for the Vauxhall Meriva ranges from 34.4 to 72.4mpg across the 65 versions listed by the Vehicle Certification Agency (2004–2017). A typical petrol version manages 47.1mpg and a typical diesel 57.6mpg. Expect 10–15% less in real-world driving.
›How much is road tax on a Vauxhall Meriva?
Any Vauxhall Meriva first registered from April 2017 pays the standard rate of £200 a year after its first year (2026/27 rates). A Vauxhall Meriva registered between March 2001 and March 2017 is taxed on its CO2: £20 to £410 a year.
›How many Vauxhall Merivas fail their MOT?
37.0% of Vauxhall Merivas aged 3 to 20 failed their MOT first time in 2024.
Sources: DVSA anonymised MOT tests 2024, all versions of the Vauxhall Meriva combined (Open Government Licence v3.0); official economy and CO2 from Vehicle Certification Agency data, © Crown copyright. VCA cannot accept liability for its accuracy. How we calculate the league.