2021 Vauxhall Vivaro S/S — MOT failures & pass rate
Across 317 MOT tests analysed for the 2021 Vauxhall Vivaro S/S, the most common recorded failure areas were lighting & signalling, visibility and brakes. Its pass rate of 87.7% was below the average for cars of a similar age (91.3%). Higher-mileage examples failed more often — 17.9% in the 60-90k group versus 9.6% in the 0-30k group.
How it compares
Top failure categories
| # | Category | % of tests affected | Tests |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Lighting & signalling | 10.4% | 33 |
| 2 | Visibility | 6.9% | 22 |
| 3 | Brakes | 3.1% | 10 |
| 4 | Tyres | 2.2% | 7 |
| 5 | Seat belts & restraints | 1.9% | 6 |
| 6 | Suspension | 0.9% | 3 |
Most common specific failures
The exact components most often recorded as failures — more specific than the categories above.
| # | Failure item | Times recorded |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Wipers | 15 |
| 2 | Registration plate lamp(s) | 14 |
| 3 | Headlamp aim | 10 |
| 4 | Stop lamp | 9 |
| 5 | Headlamp | 9 |
| 6 | Brake pads | 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 | 14.8% | 47 |
| 2 | Tyres | 14.5% | 46 |
| 3 | Visibility | 6.6% | 21 |
| 4 | Lighting & signalling | 4.7% | 15 |
| 5 | Other defects | 4.7% | 15 |
| 6 | Emissions & environmental | 2.5% | 8 |
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 | 83 | 9.6% |
| 30-60k | 142 | 9.2% |
| 60-90k | 67 | 17.9% |
Failure rate by age
Trend over time
| Dataset year | Tests | Fail rate |
|---|---|---|
| 2024 | 151 | 10.6% |
| 2025 | 150 | 15.3% |
What to check before buying a 2021 Vivaro S/S
Before buying a 2021 Vauxhall Vivaro S/S, focus on the areas it most often fails on. Lighting & signalling accounted for 10.4% of tests for this year.
- Lighting & signalling (10.4% of tests): Often a cheap bulb, but persistent issues can mean wiring or corrosion in the units. Typical repair: £10–£150.
- Visibility (6.9% 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.
- Brakes (3.1% 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 S/Ss pass their MOT?
87.7% of the 317 2021 Vauxhall Vivaro S/S MOT tests in this dataset passed — a 12.3% fail rate.
What is the most common MOT failure on a 2021 Vauxhall Vivaro S/S?
Lighting & signalling, recorded in 10.4% of tests, followed by visibility (6.9%).
Does the 2021 Vivaro S/S get worse with mileage?
Its MOT fail rate rises from 9.6% in the 0-30k band to 17.9% in the 60-90k band.
Methodology & source. Based on 317 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.