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What to check: Vauxhall Meriva

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Ranked across all years of the Vauxhall Meriva, from its own MOT record and from what owners report. Tick it off at the car.

From this model's MOT record

The physical checks its own defect data says are worth your time, most telling first.

Coil springsRuns high on this modelLook through the wheel spokes at the bottom coil of each spring; when springs snap it is usually there, and the break is visible. Step back and check the car sits level too. A dropped corner is often a broken spring.Recorded on 14.9% of tests at age 6-9 · class average 1.4%

ExhaustRuns high on this modelListen along the exhaust at cold idle for blowing or chuffing, and give the tailpipe a push to check nothing hangs loose. Small blows only get louder.Recorded on 5.1% of tests at age 6-9 · class average 0.6%

LeaksRuns high on this modelLook at the ground where the car usually stands, then glance under the engine after your test drive. Fresh drips of oil or coolant are the cheapest warning you will ever get about a car.Recorded on 4.2% of tests at age 6-9 · class average 2.0%

Warning lights on ignitionRuns high on this modelTurn the ignition on without starting the engine and watch the dash. Every warning light should appear, then go out once it is running. Be more suspicious of a light that never comes on at all than of one that stays on; warning bulbs have been known to vanish before a sale.Recorded on 2.5% of tests at age 6-9 · class average 0.5%

Bushes and ball jointsDrive slowly over broken tarmac with the windows down and listen for clonks from either end. Back at the car, have someone rock the steering wheel while you rest a hand on each front wheel; play you can feel through the tyre is a worn joint.Recorded on 2.6% of tests at age 6-9 · class average 5.9%

Lights and horn walkroundWith a helper, run every light: dipped, main beam, indicators, brake lights including the high-level one, reverse, fog, and the horn. On newer cars a dead LED section can mean replacing the whole lamp unit rather than a bulb.Recorded on 1.7% of tests at age 6-9 · class average 1.2%

Steering playWith the engine running and the car parked, waggle the wheel lightly about the straight-ahead. The wheels should respond almost at once. A dead zone before anything happens means wear in the rack or the track rod ends.Recorded on 1.3% of tests at age 6-9 · class average 1.1%

Worth doing on any used car

These judge the seller's upkeep rather than the model.

Tyres, all fourRuns high on this modelCheck the tread across the full width of each tyre, inner edge included, and look for cracking and mismatched brands. A set of decent tyres is £500 or more on most cars, which makes this the easiest money to take off a price. If the pressure warning light is on, budget for sensors too.Recorded on 22.5% of tests at age 6-9 · class average 11.1%

Pads and discsLook through the wheel spokes at the brake disc. A pronounced lip on its outer edge, or a rusty and scored face, means discs and pads are due all round, a few hundred pounds on most cars. A haggling point rather than a reason to walk away.Recorded on 10.3% of tests at age 6-9 · class average 10.1%

Windscreen and wipersScan the glass in daylight for chips, especially in the driver's line of sight where even a small one can fail the MOT. Run the washers and check the wipers clear without smearing.Recorded on 1.8% of tests at age 6-9 · class average 1.7%

Because of what owners report

Drawn from the owner reports rather than the MOT data. These are the model-specific ones.

With the engine running, turn the steering wheel lock to lock at a standstill.Any heaviness, a dropout in assistance, or a steering warning light points to the EPS fault.

Start a 1.4 turbo car from cold and listen for the first 20-30 seconds.A rattly clatter that fades as revs rise means the timing chain and tensioner are wearing.

Look underneath around the turbo and radiator hoses for damp or crusty residue.Weeping coolant around the turbo pipework is the same 1.4T weak spot showing itself.

Ask how the car is mainly used and check the MOT history for exhaust or emissions advisories.A diesel that's done mostly short runs, plus a smoky exhaust or limp mode, points to a clogged DPF or EGR valve.

On a manual diesel, hold a steady 50mph in top gear and listen underneath.A whine or drone that tracks road speed rather than engine revs suggests the M32 gearbox bearing is going.

Apply and release the parking brake a few times, then feel the rear wheels after a short drive.Grabbing, dragging, or a hot rear wheel means the parking brake is sticking.

Lift the boot carpet and check under the door seals and footwell mats for damp or a musty smell.Standing water means the drain channels are blocked and wiring underneath may already be corroding.

Full Vauxhall Meriva reliability report