2013 Vauxhall Vivaro 2.0L Diesel · R7 FBR

The 2013 Vauxhall Vivaro presents a mixed mechanical picture. Its most recent MOT, conducted on 23 January 2026 at 152,017 miles, passed, but three advisories remain unresolved and the vehicle failed its earlier test on 17 January 2026 on multiple safety-critical items. The maintenance trend is neither clearly worsening nor resolving. The January 2026 failure revealed severely weakened front brake discs on both sides, front brake pads below 1.5 mm, a rear tyre with structural separation, excessively worn rear swivel pins and bushes, a worn anti-roll bar linkage ball joint, and a parking brake below minimum efficiency. That the car passed six days later suggests some remedial work was carried out, yet the same two Macpherson strut mounting advisories and the nearside rear brake disc wear advisory carried forward into the pass. This pattern indicates reactive rather than preventive maintenance, with faults addressed only when they become test failures. The mileage accumulation of roughly 11,694 miles per year over thirteen years is typical for a commercial van of this type. The record shows 126,809 miles in January 2024, 138,496 miles in January 2025, and 152,017 miles in January 2026, representing approximately 11,687 miles in each of the last two annual cycles. No significant gaps or sudden spikes appear in the data. The annual testing pattern is consistent, though the absence of any recorded MOT prior to January 2024 means the maintenance history for the first decade of the vehicle's life cannot be verified. A buyer should pay particular attention to the front suspension and braking components. Both Macpherson strut mountings have been flagged as damaged at consecutive January 2026 tests, and the nearside rear brake disc was noted as worn and pitted. These items may deteriorate further without intervention. The front brake discs were described as seriously weakened in the January 2026 failure, so any replacement discs and pads fitted ahead of the pass should be confirmed with receipts. The rear axle swivel pins and bushes, along with the offside front anti-roll bar linkage ball joint, were excessively worn at the earlier failure; a physical check of these components for play is advisable. Tyre condition also warrants close inspection, given that structural tyre failures appeared in both the 2025 and 2026 tests. The repeated lamp and windscreen washer defects suggest basic electrical and fluid checks were neglected, which may point to broader lapses in routine servicing.