2021 Vauxhall Vivaro 3100 S/S — MOT failures & pass rate
Across 293 MOT tests analysed for the 2021 Vauxhall Vivaro 3100 S/S, the most common recorded failure areas were visibility, lighting & signalling and brakes. Its pass rate of 82.9% was below the average for cars of a similar age (91.2%). Higher-mileage examples failed more often — 20.4% in the 90-120k group versus 8.1% in the 0-30k group.
How it compares
Top failure categories
| # | Category | % of tests affected | Tests |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Visibility | 9.9% | 29 |
| 2 | Lighting & signalling | 9.6% | 28 |
| 3 | Brakes | 5.5% | 16 |
| 4 | Tyres | 3.8% | 11 |
| 5 | Body, structure & corrosion | 3.8% | 11 |
| 6 | Emissions & environmental | 2.4% | 7 |
Most common specific failures
The exact components most often recorded as failures — more specific than the categories above.
| # | Failure item | Times recorded |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Wipers | 28 |
| 2 | Brake pads | 14 |
| 3 | Headlamp aim | 12 |
| 4 | Joints | 11 |
| 5 | Headlamp | 10 |
| 6 | Washers | 8 |
Top advisory categories
Advisories aren't failures, but they flag work likely needed soon — useful when budgeting.
| # | Category | % of tests with advisory | Tests |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Brakes | 21.8% | 64 |
| 2 | Tyres | 19.1% | 56 |
| 3 | Emissions & environmental | 10.9% | 32 |
| 4 | Other defects | 6.5% | 19 |
| 5 | Visibility | 5.5% | 16 |
| 6 | Body, structure & corrosion | 5.1% | 15 |
Failure rate by mileage
Higher-mileage cars tend to fail more — often the most useful guide to real condition.
| Mileage band | Tests | Fail rate |
|---|---|---|
| 0-30k | 37 | 8.1% |
| 30-60k | 112 | 20.5% |
| 60-90k | 89 | 15.7% |
| 90-120k | 44 | 20.4% |
Failure rate by age
Trend over time
| Dataset year | Tests | Fail rate |
|---|---|---|
| 2024 | 141 | 16.3% |
| 2025 | 147 | 18.4% |
What to check before buying a 2021 Vivaro 3100 S/S
Before buying a 2021 Vauxhall Vivaro 3100 S/S, focus on the areas it most often fails on. Visibility accounted for 9.9% of tests for this year.
- Visibility (9.9% of tests): Wipers, washers, mirrors and screen damage — usually inexpensive, but check for chips in the driver's line of sight. Typical repair: £15–£150.
- Lighting & signalling (9.6% of tests): Often a cheap bulb, but persistent issues can mean wiring or corrosion in the units. Typical repair: £10–£150.
- Brakes (5.5% of tests): Pads/discs are routine wear; binding, imbalance or corroded pipes are more serious — test for pulling under braking. Typical repair: £100–£350 per axle.
Repair costs are rough UK ballpark ranges to set expectations, not quotes — actual prices vary widely by car, parts and garage.
Frequently asked questions
How many 2021 Vauxhall Vivaro 3100 S/Ss pass their MOT?
82.9% of the 293 2021 Vauxhall Vivaro 3100 S/S MOT tests in this dataset passed — a 17.1% fail rate.
What is the most common MOT failure on a 2021 Vauxhall Vivaro 3100 S/S?
Visibility, recorded in 9.9% of tests, followed by lighting & signalling (9.6%).
Does the 2021 Vivaro 3100 S/S get worse with mileage?
Its MOT fail rate rises from 8.1% in the 0-30k band to 20.4% in the 90-120k band.
Methodology & source. Based on 293 MOT tests. Dataset: DVSA MOT testing data (2021,2022,2023,2024,2025). Data last updated 2026-07-01. Figures reflect MOT-testable defects only — read the methodology for how these are calculated and what they don't measure.