2002 Vauxhall Vivaro reviews

Vauxhall Vivaro LWB 2002

I have a 2002 long wheel base Vivaro. Where do I start? I have had the van for two years now and it’s going on the 7th of Jan 2012 and good riddance! It has always been serviced, oil levels checked etc., etc. In the two years I have owned it I have spent £1000’s repairing it. To start with the gearbox failed, traditionally third gear first and then totally failed. It was recovered to Vauxhall for repair, then three weeks later the brand new box failed. It was again recovered back to Vauxhall who tried to blame poor driving for the failure (but that’s another story). After the gearbox problems had been sorted, the clutch failed. The van had only done 60,000 miles at this point. After this everything ran smoothly for a while, until one afternoon, the turbo started to over run. In stand still traffic, the van started to pump over 6000 revs and the key wouldnt shut it off. The only way was to stall it, but by this time the turbo was cooked. I thought that this was the end of my Vivaro, however I had it repaired by a small company and not Vauxhall with their astronomical bills. 6 months plain sailing, shortly followed by the power steering pump failing. Re-booked back into Vauxhall, 3 days later and £400 lighter my van was returned to me. Not even a week later, I pull off the motorway slip road to be surrounded by white smoke and a very rich burning smell. All the oil from the power steering had leaked through the alternator, leaving it to slowly cook itself. I was told by an independent garage that this could and should have been cleaned to prevent it after the leak. Now the speedometer has packed up. ECU light comes on as you go over 50mph. This was the straw that broke the camels back. I will never own another Vivaro, or Vauxhall/Renault for that matter. Not only do the vans appear to be poorly constructed, not much can be said for the Vauxhall/Renault service centres. Back to Ford for me!!!