2008 Vauxhall Meriva 1.4L Petrol · CX08 PLZ

The vehicle remains roadworthy, but the maintenance trend shows a recurring struggle with the braking and exhaust systems. In the most recent test on November 11, 2025, at 58,755 miles, the car failed due to imbalanced rear brakes, insufficient washer fluid, and a minor exhaust leak. While it passed the retest immediately afterward, the persistence of the exhaust leak across several years suggests that the owner only addresses faults when they necessitate an MOT failure rather than performing preventative maintenance. At 18 years old, the recorded mileage of 58,755 miles is exceptionally low, averaging only approximately 3,200 miles per year. The data shows consistent low-mileage patterns, with only 664 miles covered between the November 2024 and November 2025 tests. This low mileage often correlates with the specific issues seen in this record, such as the persistent corrosion on brake back plates and the pitting on discs noted in every test from 2022 through 2024. A buyer must conduct a close physical inspection of the rear braking assembly and suspension components. The history consistently flags pitted and scored rear brake discs alongside corroded back plates, indicating the vehicle likely sits for long periods, allowing moisture to degrade the metal surfaces. The offside rear shock absorber has shown light oil misting since at least 2023; while not yet failing, this should be checked for active weeping that would indicate an impending failure. Additionally, the recurring exhaust leak at the centre box should be verified to ensure the structural integrity of the system is not deteriorating beyond a minor leak.