Should I check the MOT history before buying a 2016 Vauxhall Vivaro?

Yes. Look for recurring advisories — slow-building issues like corrosion or brake wear patterns show up years before they become failures. A full MOT history analysis will highlight patterns that a single test result won't reveal.

What corrosion should I look for when inspecting a 2016 Vauxhall Vivaro?

Check brake pipes, sills, subframes, and chassis legs. Surface rust is normal at this age; structural rust is a serious problem that is expensive to fix and can fail an MOT.

How are tyres and brakes typically on a 2016 Vauxhall Vivaro?

Tyres and brakes are the most common advisory items on vehicles of this age. Budget for replacement if they are near the limit, and factor this into your offer price.

How many 2016 Vauxhall Vivaro vehicles have had dangerous defects recorded?

43% of these vehicles have had a dangerous defect recorded. Search the registration on CarHunch — the full MOT history will show exactly what was flagged and whether it was resolved.

Is the 2016 Vauxhall Vivaro reliable?

Based on MOT data from 23,100 vehicles, the 2016 Vauxhall Vivaro has a first-time MOT pass rate of 77.4%, indicating generally reliable for its class. Always check the full MOT history of any specific vehicle before buying.

What are common problems with the 2016 Vauxhall Vivaro?

The most frequently recorded MOT issues on the 2016 Vauxhall Vivaro are: Nearside Front Tyre worn close to legal limit/worn on edge (37.2% of vehicles), Offside Front Tyre worn close to legal limit/worn on edge (36.2% of vehicles), Front Brake pad(s) wearing thin (33.1% of vehicles). These figures are based on actual MOT test records — search a specific registration on CarHunch to see its individual history.

Do I need an HPI check when buying a 2016 Vauxhall Vivaro?

Yes. The MOT history will not show outstanding finance, insurance write-offs, or stolen status. An HPI check covers these areas and should be part of any used car purchase.

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Vauxhall Vivaro (2016)

23,100 real MOT outcomes analysed • 77.4% first-time pass rate

2016 Vauxhall Vivaro

CarHunch analysed 23,100 real MOT records for the 2016 Vauxhall Vivaro. Real test outcomes — pass rates, defect profiles, mileage data — from verified DVLA records. Updated as new MOTs are recorded.
Which year to buy? →

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AI Analysis Reliability Overview Common Issues Check a Specific Reg Buyer's Checklist Pass Rate by Fuel Mileage Distribution Still on the Road MOT Averages Colour Breakdown Compare Models

The 2016 Vivaro passes its MOT first time in 77.4% of cases, slightly below the UK average of 80%, which is a minor concern—but the real red flag is that 43% of these vehicles have recorded a dangerous defect at some point, well above typical levels and something potential buyers should take seriously. With an average of 2.18 failures per test and 10.1 advisories, this van accumulates problems faster than most comparable vehicles.

At 72,353 miles median mileage, these Vivaros are running fairly high for their age, which partly explains the failure rate, but the sheer prevalence of dangerous defects suggests structural or safety issues beyond normal wear. Before buying or inheriting a Vivaro of this age, get a full pre-purchase inspection focused on braking, suspension, and structural integrity—don't rely on a recent MOT pass alone.

The 2016 Vauxhall Vivaro has a decent first-time pass rate (77.4%), but a higher-than-average share of vehicles have had serious defects recorded — the individual vehicle's history matters a lot here.

⚠️ Over 1 in 5 of these vehicles have had a dangerous MOT failure at some point — usually tyres or brakes, and often a one-off issue rather than a persistent problem. The group stats won't tell you which one you're looking at.

First-time pass

77.4%

UK average ~80%

Around average

Dangerous (ever)

43%

At least once in MOT history

Check this vehicle

Avg failures / car

2.18

Over 8.9 tests on record

High

Typical mileage

72k

Middle half: 51k–99k

For context

🔧 Average reliability. Passes at roughly the UK rate — not a standout, not a problem vehicle. Individual history makes all the difference.

🔧 Expect consumable spend. An average of 10.1 advisories per vehicle tells you wear items (tyres, brakes) get flagged regularly. Budget for them — they're not surprises.

🔍 The dangerous defect figure is real. Most are one-off tyre failures or brake issues — not structural problems. But it's exactly why checking the individual vehicle's history is essential, not optional.

These stats describe 23,100 vehicles as a group. The specific vehicle you're looking at could be the one good example or the one outlier. Run its registration to find out.

Watch for defects — worth knowing

What tends to go wrong

Across 23,100 vehicles — figures show how many had each issue flagged at least once in their MOT history.

Tyre wear 37.2%

Nearside Front Tyre worn close to legal limit/worn on edge · Offside Front Tyre worn close to legal limit/worn on edge · Nearside Rear Tyre worn close to legal limit/worn on edge · …

Budget for a full set — on a vehicle this age, tyres are expected consumables. An inspection will confirm how much is left.

Brake wear 33.1%

Front Brake pad(s) wearing thin · Rear Brake pad(s) wearing thin · Rear Brake disc worn, pitted or scored, but not seriously weakened · …

Ask the seller when brakes were last serviced. If they don't know, factor in the cost.

Suspension & steering 24.7%

Nearside Front Shock absorbers has light misting of oil · Offside Front Shock absorbers has light misting of oil · Nearside Front Anti-roll bar linkage ball joint has slight play · …

Harder to spot without a ramp — this is a good reason to book a pre-purchase inspection.

Other issues 23.5%

Windscreen damaged but not adversely affecting driver's view · Oil leak, but not excessive · Engine MIL inoperative or indicates a malfunction

Data covers a 3-year window centred on 2016.

See this vehicle's full MOT history & AI hunches

Spot recurring advisories, hidden issues, and how it compares to 23,100 Vauxhall Vivaro cars.

Before you buy a 2016 Vauxhall Vivaro

Based on MOT data from 23,100 vehicles — here's what to check.

📋 Check the full MOT history. 43% of these vehicles have had a dangerous defect recorded - recurring advisories often signal problems years before they become failures.
Search the reg on CarHunch for the full MOT history, reliability stats and a free AI-powered analysis of that exact vehicle.
🔍 Brake pipes, sills and subframes are the key areas on a vehicle this age — structural rust is hard to spot without getting underneath. A mechanic will check all of this before you commit, and give you a concrete basis to negotiate on price. Inspection →
📄 Outstanding finance, insurance write-offs and clocking won't appear in the MOT records — a dedicated history check covers all of this. Our link gets you 20% off automatically. History Get 20% off via CarHunch

Pass Rate by Fuel Type

Fuel type	Vehicles	Pass rate	Avg failures
Diesel (100%)	23,095	77.4%	2.18

Colour Breakdown

Based on 275,634 Vauxhall Vivaro vehicles registered in the UK — across all years. From DVLA registration records.

White 55%

151,576

Silver 20.5%

56,395

Grey 7.3%

20,137

Black 7%

19,338

Blue 5%

13,832

Red 3.5%

9,634

Yellow 0.9%

2,482

Green 0.5%

1,455

Brown 0.1%

292

Orange 0.1%

195

Beige 0.1%

190

Purple 0%

108

Mileage Distribution

Most 2016 Vauxhall Vivaro vehicles sit in the blue band. If the vehicle you're looking at is outside it, it's either unusually low or high mileage for its age.

72,353

typical

51,486

low mileage

98,972

high mileage

Half of all 2016 Vauxhall Vivaro vehicles fall between 51,486 and 98,972 miles.

Is the mileage you're seeing normal?

✓ Under 51,486 miles — lower than most. Could be great, or could be a vehicle that rarely moved. Check test frequency and mileage progression in the MOT history.

✓ 51,486–98,972 miles — normal for age. This is where most 2016 Vauxhall Vivaros sit.

⚠ Over 133,612 miles — higher than typical. Not necessarily a problem, but check service history and look out for advisory build-up on tyres and brakes.

2016 Vauxhall Vivaro — Still on the Road

Almost all 2016 Vauxhall Vivaros are still on the road.

Strong survival — 20,036 vehicles still getting MOTs in 2025, 91% of the peak.

Based on vehicles from this manufacture year that had at least one MOT test in each calendar year. Data from 2019–2025.
* The 2020 dip reflects the government's COVID-19 MOT exemption, which allowed certificates to be extended by six months — fewer tests were conducted that year.

MOT History Averages

8.9

Avg MOT tests per vehicle

2.18

Avg failures per vehicle

10.1

Avg advisories per vehicle

Other model years — Vauxhall Vivaro: All Vivaro years → Which year to buy? →

2001 2002 2003 2004 2005 2006 2007 2008 2009 2010 2011 2012 2013 2014 2015 2017 2018 2019 2020

Or browse all models: Vauxhall →

Compare with another model

See how the 2016 Vauxhall Vivaro stacks up against a rival.

Watch for defects — worth knowing