2017 Vauxhall Vivaro 1.6L Diesel · DX67 VLM

The most recent DVSA examination on 10 June 2026 recorded a PASS with no advisories, suggesting that at the time of test the vehicle was presented in a roadworthy condition. However, this single pass should be viewed in the context of the broader history, which is somewhat turbulent. The 2026 pass immediately followed a fail on 8 June 2026, indicating that rectification work was carried out in a very short window and that the previous assessment had identified a dangerous tyre, a track rod end with excessive play, and advisories on the near-side track rod end and suspension arm ball joint. Looking back further, an exhaust EGR leak and an offside front lower suspension arm ball joint were failed in July 2023, and a nearside front shock absorber with a serious fluid leak was failed in July 2022. Both of those presentations subsequently passed on the same day after repair, but the recurrence of front suspension and steering defects across multiple tests suggests an underlying wear pattern rather than isolated incidents. The maintenance trend is therefore best described as borderline stable but with a persistent tendency for front-end wear items to flag on inspection. With 143,093 miles accumulated over approximately nine years, this Vivaro is averaging around 15,900 miles per annum, a figure that is notably high for a vehicle of this age and particularly elevated for a light commercial of this type which is frequently subjected to load-carrying duty. The mileage recorded on successive MOTs progresses in a steady, relatively uninterrupted fashion with no large gaps that would suggest long periods of standing. This high and continuous usage is mechanically significant because it accelerates wear on engine oil, transmission fluid, brake components, clutch, turbocharger, dual mass flywheel if fitted, and suspension bushes, springs, and anti-roll bar bushes. The brakes are also likely to have been worked hard under load, so although no brake defects appear in the most recent test, the cumulative thermal cycling and load will have worn the discs and pads considerably, even where pads have been replaced. The recurring advisories and failures on the front suspension and steering are the principal areas requiring close physical inspection prior to purchase. The track rod end ball joint and lower suspension arm ball joint have been flagged repeatedly for play on both sides of the vehicle, and these are components that wear progressively rather than failing suddenly, so any remaining slack on a road test will manifest as vague or wandering front-end feel, uneven or feathered tyre wear across the front axle, or knocking or clunking noises from the front end when traversing speed humps, kerbs, or uneven surfaces. A thorough inspection should include a wheel-off examination of both front ball joints, the track rod ends, the anti-roll bar drop links and bushes, and the front coil springs for any sign of corrosion or sagging. The 2022 failure for a leaking front shock absorber is also worth revisiting, since shock absorbers seldom recover their damping efficiency after a seal has failed, and a fresh replacement may be required if the original units remain in service; check for hydraulic fluid staining on the strut body and for any pitching or bouncing motion during a test drive. Beyond the recorded defects, the age and high mileage of this Vivaro warrant a number of time-and-use based checks that would not necessarily appear on an MOT. Tyres should be examined closely for sidewall cracking or perishing regardless of tread depth, as nine-year-old rubber hardens and loses grip with calendar age even where the tread remains legal. Brake discs, particularly the rear units which are often less visible on test, should be inspected for corrosion lipping, and the calipers should be checked for seizing slide pins which commonly cause uneven pad wear and pulling under braking. The 12V battery should be load-tested, as high-mileage short-trip commercial use is hard on battery life. Time-based servicing items including engine coolant, brake fluid, and power steering fluid should be confirmed against service records, with brake fluid being particularly prone to moisture absorption over this age and capable of reducing braking performance when hot. Finally, given the failed EGR cooler in 2023, the engine should be inspected for any signs of diesel soot leakage, and the EGR system and intercooler hoses should be checked for splits or staining which could indicate recurrence, while a thorough road test should listen for any irregular turbo whistle, hesitation under load, or excessive smoke which would be consistent with the high mileage and prior exhaust defect history.