2008 Vivaro reviews
21 May 2013
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2008 Vauxhall Vivaro reviews
Vauxhall Vivaro reviews by year of make: 2001 2002 2003 2004 2005 2006 2007 2008 2009 2010 2012 Read all reviews
Lloyd Rose, England
Vauxhall Vivaro 2008
Bought brand new. I got 90,000 miles before I changed the brakes and tyres plus rear shocks and bearings, but I do tow a caravan 4000 miles each year, so I put it down to that. The hand book says change timing belt, but found out it hasn’t got one it’s chain driven, so money saved! Oil changed every 9000 by Kwick fit for £50; I can’t buy oil that cheap and they dispose of the old oil. I just change the air and fuel filter myself. Would I buy a new one? What for? I still have a million miles left on this one! One problem is the dash board lights that illuminate the heater controls do blow, but I can change them in 5 minutes and they are only 10p each.
Submitted: 17/11/2012 07:05:30
Martin the Bricky, Yorkshire
Vauxhall Vivaro swb 115 2.0 2008
Don’t buy a Vivaro, buy a Transit for stress free motoring. Vauxhall Vivaros may look good but they are no good, they are cheap for a reason. There seems more unhappy owners and more problems than any other make of van. I’m sat at home while my 08 gets endless problems fixed. I will be getting a big hammer to it shortly. Take note, DON’T BUY ONE!
Submitted: 11/10/2012 20:57:58
Tony Firman, Derbyshire
Vauxhall Vivaro 115 PS. Fridge. LWB 2008
Further to my earlier review the van is now on 196K miles and about to be serviced. All I have had to replace is tyres, pads, front discs, one wheel bearing, nearside track rod end and rear door lock-under warranty. Van still travels 1700 miles a week on a mix of country roads and motorway-over a period of 2 years. Van still returning 34 mpg average and uses no oil between services. I have been told to expect clutch failure at 220K miles. I plan to replace it next Summer when it is on 250K. Of course one can only speak as one finds.
Submitted: 14/08/2011 14:45:05
Inderjit Shoker, England
Vauxhall Vivaro 2008
I will never buy another Vauxhall so long as I live. The Vivaro is rubbish. I would rather catch the bus, atleast I would get some where.
Submitted: 02/08/2011 13:20:35
Gareth Thomas, Nottinghamshire
Vauxhall Vivaro sportive/double cab/crewcab 2008
Bought mine new in Nov 08. Everything was all right until 14000 miles, when it got a bad clutch rattle and a sort of tinkling noise from engine under accelleration. I took the van back from where I bought it from, and all I can say is I would not give them a push chair to look at! This went on and on for several months. Milage now at 21000 and still no joy although the tinkling sound was cured for a couple of weeks, but that was it. I’m completly disgusted with the service from the dealer and customer support. A work colleague advised me to take it to another dealer and within 1-5 hrs they said the gearbox had to come out and the clutch was noisy, which was done under warranty. They are still trying to find the source of the tinkling noise on accelleration, but I can’t complain as they’re pulling out all the stops at the mo. All said and done this is an excellent van for what it does, I just wish Vauxhall customer care was better.
Submitted: 06/07/2011 10:48:54
Julie Hill, Surrey
Vauxhall Vivaro 2008
Lovely looking van but rubbish; auxilary belt went after a few months, back door lock has broken twice, the air con is still trying to be repaired after three weeks and the alternator has gone.
Submitted: 01/07/2011 09:54:54
Stuart Knowles, England
Vauxhall Vivaro 2008
Nice looking van, but the 2.5cdti has a major flat spot that made it dangerous pulling out onto roundabouts. Got a chip that has helped, but it is still there. Would not recommend.
Submitted: 21/05/2011 23:58:46
David Sanderson, England
Vauxhall Vivaro 2008
I love my sporting vicar. Only one problem, the fuel gauge is electronic blocks! Almost impossible to know when one will turn off, and not very accurate, if this van had a needle for a gauge then it would be perfect.
Submitted: 05/03/2011 19:04:30
Santa, United Arab Emirates
Vauxhall Vivaro 2.3ltr petrol 2008
My car has had a lot of battery problems at 5,000 kilometers then at 6,000 kilometers and at 19,000 kilometers. It has finally been resolved. My A/C problem has been there since 35 Kilometers when the car was brand new, they changed some valve or something and then it became ok, but now at 40,000 kilometer again there is A/C problem and it is in the dealership garage as I am writing this review; its been two days and they have not come up with an answer to why the A/C is not cooling. The head lights have been foggy since the day I bought it, after complaining alot the headlights were replaced but then after a week they started becoming foggy again. This car has made a lot of trips to the garage, I am not happy with it and would not recommend it to anyone.
Submitted: 01/09/2010 20:53:11
Rod, England
Vauxhall Vivaro SWB1.9 CDTi 2008
Fantastic, had it from new as a company vehicle, it’s now done 120,000 miles, the only extra work done was tyres and brake pads, it’s just a shame about Vauxhall; the dealership we use is c**p, but they did try to change the timing belt on the last service, only to find it had a timing chain. The lumber support has broken in the back of the seat, but thats just me, need to loose a few pounds!
Submitted: 29/05/2010 21:56:32
Sarah Banks, Wiltshire
Vauxhall Vivaro Sportive Crew Cab 2008
Water leaks into the top of the engine and fuses the injectors to the head. As we still have warranty they will cover the cost but they will not replace your vehicle if it is over 12 months old, so ours has been in the garage a week and will be in there another 3 weeks until they can get the specialist tool they require to remove the injectors. This is not only my husband’s business vehicle but it is also our family vehicle as well. We are apparently "lucky" that 2 have gone now as apparently another lad has been in 4 times already to replace each one. The fix for this is to put silicone underneath the windscreen which stops the water getting in. Will I buy another Vauxhall? Definitely not, I would rather walk.
Submitted: 03/04/2010 20:50:39
Antony Firman, Nottinghamshire
Vauxhall Vivaro 115 ps 2008
Vehicle is a 115ps Euro 4 engine with a Fridge conversion, which I purchased as a 58 plate pre-registered van which had been stood on Dealer’s forecourt for 12 months. I paid £14000 and it was valued at £22000 when new. Current value is approx £7000. My work as a self-employed courier requires me to drive 2200 miles per week so van has covered 60000 miles from Sept 12th last year to March 2010. It is serviced on the button by a Unipart registered dealer in keeping with warranty requirements. So far only work required under warranty was a sticking rear loading door. Front tyres and pads have just been relaced. It is as good to drive now as when new. Comfortable, fast and responsive and with a 6 speed box and returns 38 mpg with mixed country/ motorway driving. Interior is still looking good with regular cleaning and seems to be very hard wearing.I have experienced none of the negative faults reported by some users and bearing in mind the hard usage the vehicle is getting I cannot rate it higher. If it had cruise control/bluetooth I would give it 5 stars.
Submitted: 22/03/2010 10:58:34
Derek Woods, Yorkshire
Vauxhall Vivaro 2.0 cdti sportive 2008
I bought this van brand new. On delivery it had a puncture in os front tyre. When the tyre was removed for repair it had been repaired twice already (very poorly). Not a good start. After 7000 miles the gearbox became noisy at 13000 miles, it was very bad, then the gearbox was replaced under warranty along with os wishbone assembly and droplink with the total cost over 5k. After a further 1k miles the driveshaft failed, which was replaced under warranty again. I’ve got to say that the van drives like a car and as it’s the 115 psi version it goes like hell, it’s not that good on diesel though doing about 33mpg on a run. The seats are nice and supportive and the power steering is nice and light with decent feedback, although it tends to spin the driving wheels on anything over than bone dry roads. Would I buy another? No, I will go for a Transporter or Vito next time.
Submitted: 22/11/2009 15:52:49
Peter Diet, Newport
Vauxhall Vivaro Combi 2008
I bought a Vivaro 2 litre 115 ps combi ( minibus) in April 2008 brand new. The steering made a terrible noise and they replaced the steering pump under warrantee. The battery (varta) packed up without warning after a year which was also changed on warrantee. It’s done 25k and so far has been good. It’s really quiet at speed and does about 600 miles on a tank. I have heard about the gearbox problems but these seem to be the old euro 3 1.9 engine ( I hope).
Submitted: 04/08/2009 10:29:34
Ben Payne, Derbyshire
Vauxhall Vivaro 20 cdti 2008
I’ve now had several Vauxhall Vivaro’s (now leased throw Europcar). It is the best van I’ve ever driven, I’ve never had a problem - comfortable, fast, very economical. A great van, I spend most off my days in it and do many, many miles each year. I recommend it highly - drive it right and it will look after you. Forget the Transit (c**p), Transporter’s (slow and use to much oil), LDV Maxus (forget it). 5 stars for the Vauxhall Vivaro!
Submitted: 28/04/2009 10:45:31
Dave Cordier, Kent
Vauxhall Vivaro 2008
I have got the basic model,s eating very hard, no aircon - temp reaching 50c; cloths soaking wet with sweat, bottom bleeding - its like sitting on a wooden bench all day. Give me a Transit any day!
Submitted: 19/03/2009 09:55:36
Pete, Cardiff
Vauxhall Vivaro 9 seat bus 2008
Have only done 7000k so far as only had it 2 months ago. It drives ok, went to the South of France with 9 people plus skis at limit. French motorway speeds and did about 36 mpg. I was looking at the Mercedes and the Volkswagen but they are ridiculously expensive. There’s a performance chip available for this apparently and a friend who fitted this was impressed with the greatly increased power. One annoyance is that I ordered factory fitted black windows and it came without them! So I’ve put limo tints over them instead and it looks cool.
Submitted: 06/08/2008 09:20:37
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