2007 Vauxhall Meriva 1.6L Petrol · KH07 AEC
2007 Vauxhall Meriva (1.6L, petrol). First registered 31 May 2007. Recorded mileage 148,435 miles. MOT expired on 28 Jan 2023.
- Make & Model
- VAUXHALL MERIVA
- Year / Origin
- 2007 · Borehamwood (Luton)
- Safety Recall
- Unknown
- MOT Status
- Expired on 28 Jan 2023
- Road Tax
- —
- Recorded Mileage
- 148,435 mi
- ULEZ Compliance
- ULEZ Compliant (Euro 4+)
- Fuel & Engine
- Petrol · 1.6L
- Reliability Guide
- Common Faults
Archived Record
Registration no longer recorded by DVLA. This usually means the vehicle is now using a private plate.
Thinking of buying this vehicle? Free MOT and tax checks do not cover legal ownership. If outstanding finance exists, finance companies have legal right to repossess without compensation.
KH07 AEC Key Findings
- 2 MOT tests recorded
- Latest MOT passed on 28/01/2022
- 148,435 miles recorded at latest MOT
- 1 historical MOT failure
- 2 defects noted at the latest MOT
- Recurring lighting items (4 mentions)
Derived directly from the recorded DVSA and DVLA data shown on this page.
KH07 AEC MOT History
Interpretation generated from the recorded test data above — not an official DVSA statement and not a substitute for an independent inspection.
2 MOT tests are recorded for this 2007 Vauxhall Meriva (KH07 AEC) between January 2022 and January 2022.
The record contains 1 pass and 1 failure.
The most recent test on 28 January 2022 was a pass, although the earlier record includes 1 failure that buyers may want to investigate.
Across all tests, the most frequently flagged areas are: Lighting (4 issues), Tyres (2 issues). Repeated mentions in one area can indicate an ongoing pattern worth checking in person.
In total 4 advisory notices are recorded. Advisories flag items that passed but may need attention before the next test; they are not evidence of how well the vehicle has been serviced.
Recorded failure items include: “Nearside Front Tyre tread pattern not visible over the whole tread area when minimum depth required is 1.0mm (5.2.3 (e)”; “Offside Front Tyre tread depth below requirements of 1.6mm (5.2.3 (e))”.
KH07 AEC Mileage History
- 28/01/2022148,435 mi
- 28/01/2022148,435 mi
Average of roughly 0 miles per year across 2 recorded odometer readings.
Technical Specifications
Core Specifications
Identification & Status
Dimensions & Weights
Diagnostic & Valuation Intelligence
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Known faults for Vauxhall Vauxhall Meriva
Our database tracks 6 specific mechanical faults and recurring failure patterns identified across UK MOT testing stations for this generation.
MOT Roadworthiness: Poor
This rating reflects historical MOT pass rates and recurring advisory wear patterns from official DVSA test logs. Note that roadworthiness does not verify outstanding finance, insurance write-offs, or stolen records.
Verify lender finance agreements, insurance write-offs, police stolen registers, and mileage rollback.
Buyer's Guide & Inspection Advisory
Expert automotive synthesis from historical MOT defect records and market benchmarks.
Our Verdict
Proceed with extreme caution. This vehicle shows very high mileage and a concerning history of significant safety failures related to brakes and suspension, suggesting a reactive-only rather than proactive maintenance approach.
When inspecting this Meriva, prioritize the chassis and braking system. Given the history of corroded brake pipes and fractured coil springs, you must insist on a professional inspection for structural rust and component integrity. Ask for a full service history to ensure the oil leaks mentioned in recent MOTs have been addressed; if the history is incomplete, assume the car has not been maintained regularly.
Pay close attention to the engine note. A MOT advisory from 2020 mentioned noise from the engine alternator or cambelt area, which is a potentially expensive fix if the timing belt hasn't been replaced recently given the 140k+ mile reading. Negotiate the price down based on the high mileage and the evidence of deferred maintenance seen in the 2020 MOT results.
The 1.6L petrol engine is relatively economical for city driving, expecting around 35-40 mpg in mixed conditions. It sits in a mid-range insurance group and a low tax band typical for this era of Vauxhall MP.
Maintenance costs are likely to be higher than average due to the vehicle's age and the recurring issues with suspension and braking components. Budget an annual running cost of approximately £1,100-£1,400 to cover fuel, tax, insurance, and inevitable repairs.
Focus heavily on the braking system. The history shows multiple failures for corroded brake pipes, imbalanced brakes, and dangerously thin pads. Check for any fluid leaks around the wheels and ensure the pipes are not flaking or scaling. Also inspect the rear suspension; previous records show fractured coil springs and worn bushes.
Check the underside for the oil leak noted in the 2022 MOT and examine the exhaust front flexi-pipe for signs of damage. Finally, start the engine and listen for any rattling or whining coming from the alternator/belt area, as this was previously flagged as a concern.
This 2007 Vauxhall Meriva has covered over 148,000 miles, which is significantly above the average for its age. The MOT history reveals a pattern of recurring major mechanical issues, particularly regarding the braking system, suspension arms, and exhaust components. While it has passed its most recent test, the previous history of 'Dangerous' and 'Major' failures indicates a vehicle that has struggled to maintain standards.
The Meriva of this generation is known for being practical but often suffers from electrical issues and suspension wear as it ages.
Reviewed by the IsItAGoodCar editorial team — Verified automotive analysis synthesized from official vehicle registries.
Data Sources
DVSA
Official MOT test logs & failure reasons
DVLA
Tax, registration & powertrain specs
Experian
Finance, stolen markers & total loss
AI Analysis
Historical fault & advisory patterns
Common Problems: VAUXHALL MERIVA
Known issues reported by owners and MOT testers.
- Front-end knocking from worn steering rack, joints and dampers(Moderate)
BreakerYard's Meriva fault page describes a knocking noise from the suspension over uneven surfaces that is actually caused by the steering rack, and warns that leaving a worn rack unreplaced damages the surrounding suspension. GetCarWise's Meriva MOT data backs up the front-end story with the numbers: ball joint dust cover failures at close to 40 times the fleet average, shock absorber failures at around 32 times, with joints quoted at £100-£300 per corner and damper pairs at £200-£400. On a tall, front-heavy MPV built on supermini parts, these are the consumables that decide whether a cheap Meriva stays cheap.
- Power steering assistance failure and rack or column wear(Serious)
BreakerYard lists power steering failure as a known Meriva problem, saying the assist can go and make the car very hard to manoeuvre, that in some cases the steering has jammed, and that the repair is a new steering rack and column rather than a component rebuild. GetCarWise's Meriva buying guide prices the assist-side hardware at £300-£600 for a pump and £150-£300 for hoses, which is why a car with heavy steering in the forecourt test is rarely worth the advertised price. Loss of assistance at parking speeds is a safety issue as well as a bill.
- Brake hose ferrule excessive corrosion and hydraulic leakage(Serious)
The first-generation Meriva exhibits one of the highest failure rates in the UK vehicle fleet for brake hose ferrule corrosion, failing MOT inspections at up to 67 times the national average according to GetCarWise. The crimped steel ferrules connecting the flexible rubber brake hoses to the rigid steel brake pipes suffer severe galvanic corrosion from road salt and moisture spray in the wheel arches. As the metal scales and expands, it weakens the hose connection, eventually causing brake fluid seepage or sudden hose separation under heavy braking, resulting in partial or total loss of hydraulic braking.
- Underside solid steel brake pipe corrosion(Serious)
Rigid steel brake lines running along the underside floor pan and over the rear axle beam of the Meriva A suffer accelerated corrosion. The original factory plastic coating cracks and traps winter road salt and water against the bare steel tubing. According to DVSA MOT statistics tracked by GetCarWise, the Meriva fails brake pipe inspections at 28 to 32 times the fleet average. Corroded sections can pinhole or rupture under sudden emergency braking pressure, causing immediate loss of brake fluid and catastrophic loss of stopping power. Complete replacement with cupro-nickel (Kunifer) pipes is standard practice.
- Suspension ball joint and CV joint dust cover splits(Moderate)
The rubber boots and dust covers protecting front lower suspension ball joints, track rod ends, and constant velocity (CV) driveshaft joints perish and tear prematurely on the Meriva A. GetCarWise reports MOT failure rates for split dust covers on this model approaching 40 times the UK fleet benchmark. Once the rubber split occurs, grease is flung out and road spray, grit, and abrasive sand penetrate the precision ball pin or CV joint races. This causes rapid metal-to-metal wear, play, steering shudder, and clicking on lock, necessitating complete joint replacement.
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VAUXHALL MERIVA Model Intelligence & Reliability
Verified MOT failure trends, buying advice, and technical directory specifications.
Owner-reported defects, recurring MOT failure points, and estimated repair costs.
Browse production generations, registration statistics, and trim variants.
Historical MOT pass rates and DVLA records for 2007 model year cars.
- Front-end knocking from worn steering rack, joints and dampersModerate
BreakerYard's Meriva fault page describes a knocking noise from the suspension over uneven surfaces that is actually caused by the steering rack, and warns that leaving a worn rack unreplaced damages the surrounding suspension. GetCarWise's Meriva MOT data backs up the front-end story with the numbers: ball joint dust cover failures at close to 40 times the fleet average, shock absorber failures at around 32 times, with joints quoted at £100-£300 per corner and damper pairs at £200-£400. On a tall, front-heavy MPV built on supermini parts, these are the consumables that decide whether a cheap Meriva stays cheap.
- Power steering assistance failure and rack or column wearSerious
BreakerYard lists power steering failure as a known Meriva problem, saying the assist can go and make the car very hard to manoeuvre, that in some cases the steering has jammed, and that the repair is a new steering rack and column rather than a component rebuild. GetCarWise's Meriva buying guide prices the assist-side hardware at £300-£600 for a pump and £150-£300 for hoses, which is why a car with heavy steering in the forecourt test is rarely worth the advertised price. Loss of assistance at parking speeds is a safety issue as well as a bill.
- Brake hose ferrule excessive corrosion and hydraulic leakageSerious
The first-generation Meriva exhibits one of the highest failure rates in the UK vehicle fleet for brake hose ferrule corrosion, failing MOT inspections at up to 67 times the national average according to GetCarWise. The crimped steel ferrules connecting the flexible rubber brake hoses to the rigid steel brake pipes suffer severe galvanic corrosion from road salt and moisture spray in the wheel arches. As the metal scales and expands, it weakens the hose connection, eventually causing brake fluid seepage or sudden hose separation under heavy braking, resulting in partial or total loss of hydraulic braking.
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