Vauxhall Vivaro road test reports and car reviews

Vauxhall Vivaro 1.9 cdti swb 115bhp 2006

An excellent van but stay well away from Vauxhall servicing because they’re useless. They tried to tell me i need new discs all round and I only needed rear ones. Bought it in 2007 with 6000miles on the clock and have now done 130000 miles and not one problem, even though it’s always fully loaded and driven quite rough some times. Find yourself a decent mechanic and it’ll give you no problems. The biggest problem I’ve had is when i filled the tank with petrol! - Jonny from Yorkshire

Vauxhall Vivaro 2007

I have the Nissan Primastar version of this van. It’s an 07 plate with the 2ltr diesel version - it’s done 126,000 miles and its falling to bits. The dealerships are poor, good van body, the rest is c**p. 1 day old, no reversing sensors, dealer unable to repair, possible driver fault? Four months old, no air conditioning, not covered under warranty (stone chips)? 36,000 miles, four discs, two sets of pads; 40,000 miles, rear anti roll bar fell off, garage said caused by poor servicing, they serviced it. 72,000 miles; 4 discs, 2 sets off pads. I say it’s got a year’s warranty on parts, reply not for brake parts. 74,000 miles, put van in garage for new timing belt, was told its takes 2 days to change belt at approximately £400. I called to pick up van to be informed the engine does not have a timing belt but your fuel pump is leaking fuel, your turbo is suspect, and your power steering is leaking, estimated cost £2000-£2500 - it may be more. A van at 19 months old will cost me £4000 in repairs, these vans are c**p, if you’re only doing 3,000 miles a year they are OK otherwise avoid. But the good news is the gearbox is OK.

Vauxhall Vivaro 2.5cdti sportive SWB 2007

Do not buy one of these vehicles! On the face of it the van is excellent, fast, quiet, loads of extras and looks really good. Have owned the van from new and have done 32000 miles. In this time the van has put itself in limp home mode a total of 7 times. Each time the van needs an oil and filter change due to ’poor oil quality’. Apparently this is due to it needing to regenerate but regen light has never been on! The Vauxhall dealer thinks there is something wrong with it but Vauxhall technical say it’s my driving style. How do they know it’s my driving style? Have they been following me driving down the motorway? Most of my mileage is motorway, the dealer asked me to take a log of my journeys which I’ve done but technical aren’t interested and will not contribute to the oil changes (£100 a time) and will not send a technician out to assess the vehicle though last time it happened they said they would & Vauxhall care are unable to overule the decision made by technical, oh yeah and I am not allowed to speak to technical! So I’m stuck with a van which is under warranty which Vauxhall won’t fix. It looks like I’m going to have to get stuck into a legal battle! My advice buy something else and stay well away from Vauxhall!

Responses to this review

This is exactly the same problem as I have got with my van. Have they sorted anything out with your van yet??? My van is still in the garage now! I think a charity shop has better customer service than any Vauxhall dealer - Gaz Gaz from Swansea

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).

Vauxhall Vivaro 20cdti 2007

Fast, reliable and quick. Highly recommended but would advise post 07 model as the gearbox problems have been sorted.

Vauxhall Vivaro 1.9tc 2003

I have a 2003 Vivaro it has done 140000 and the gearbox has just about collapsed. It’s going to cost me about a £1000 and that’s doing it myself. I was warned of the problems with Vivaro’s by an AA patrol man who uses these vans but still went ahead and bought one. They also have a problem with the speed restrictor in second gear. They are gutless when you want a little bit of power pulling out of junctions and trying to get up to speed; apparently this is incorporated in the ecu specifically to protect the weak transmission bearings. Very overrated van - stay clear.

Vauxhall Vivaro 1.9 Sportive 2003

Well, what can I say? After reading these reports, I’m in the market for a new van and it will not be a Vauxhall Vivaro. Over 6 years of motoring I stuck by the Vivaro thinking it was just one of those things. I’ve now had enough - 3 gear boxes, injectors, turbo... the list is endless. Only done 75,000 but enough is enough.

Vauxhall Vivaro 2.5cdti. 2005

I’ve had the van from new and it’s just turned 150k miles, quiet,fast and reasonably economical if driven right, apart from service items all it’s had is an egr valve,rear brake caliper and a track rod end. The gearbox is just starting to get a bit sticky but it’s still on it’s original clutch so it’s probably that. It has to go back to the lease company soon and I will miss it, best van I’ve had in 20 odd years.

Vauxhall Vivaro 2.0 cdti swb Sportive 2007

I have had the Vivaro from new, and after 2 years I am very pleased with it. Its only been back to the dealers for servicing, replacement arm rest and A/C condenser (all at service). The new engine and gearbox have not proved problematic like the earlier model. I use this for work and it has not let me down or cost me any time. I had a VW T5 before this van and it had 22 warranty repairs in 3 years!!! It is averaging 37 mpg (loaded with tools), is quiet and will get to motorway speeds with no bother. I know it is widely accepted that these vans have gearbox problems, but I think these have been sorted out with the new model. I have 3 friends who have the pre-2007 Vivaro’s and they report no problems even after many miles. I would recommend this vehicle.

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!

Responses to this review

Transporters slow? Don’t think your 2.0 cdti will keep up with my 174, and I’ve never needed to top up the oil - G B from Cheshire

Vauxhall Vivaro 1.9cdti 2004

Had the van since new. Reassuring to hear I’m not the only one with gearbox and clutch problems... mine went at 32,000 miles. I live in a very hilly part of Scotland and am now on my 3rd set of discs. Comfy enough van but I’m getting a Transit.

Responses to this review

Dear Bryan,I work in a garage so I feel sorry for Vivaro owners. My son came in six weeks ago with a smile on his face, "look what i have bought a smart 55 plate silver vivaro 1.9d" My manager and I just laughed, "well we wil be seeing you a lot more" my manager said. The first thing to go was the clutch master cylinder, then the fan belt snapped and wrapped around the timing belt; luckily the cam gear gave way. Next the clutch master cylinder again and clutch. Now for some reason the cam belt has; it feels like engine trouble. Thats just his! I could go on for ever over repair on these cars in the last few years. I would like a tenner for every gearbox and disc and wheel bearing I have changed. He slagged his transit but I never layed a spanner on it, except for general service parts. The Vivaro is not a good van - Nigel Bainbridge from England

Vauxhall Vivaro lwb/hr 1.9cdti 2004

Contrary to my previous report, never again will I have one of these. Once it reached 100,000 miles everything went pear-shaped - starter, alternator, steering rack, all front ball joints and bushes, drive-shafts, and now gearbox whining in third. It’s paid of in 2 months thankfully, by that time there will be a box of matches and petrol can waiting for it... if it makes it that far. DON’T BUY ONE OF THESE IF VALUE YOUR BUSINESS - THIS HAS NEARLY FOLDED MINE DUE TO UNRELIABILITY!

Vauxhall Vivaro SWB1.9 CDTi Sportive 2006

Bought at 6 months old, 2 and a half years ago. 43,000 miles later and it is the best buy I have ever made, I’ve had many types of vans, the only reason I’d change is for the facelift model.

Responses to this review

Maybe you’ll change your mind once you ve done another 50,000 miles!- Lewis Restall from England

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!

Responses to this review

Why didn’t you buy a van with a/c then? Seems a bit odd to blame a vehicle for not having a/c, transit without a/c would be the same, you need preparation H - Peter Bean from Devon

Vauxhall Vivaro 2.5 DTDI 2003

I have had this van for about 4 years and bought when it was 1 and a half years old. Overall it has been brilliant. I have put on about 60,000 in this time, which isn’t much for such a capable engine; maybe not the best on juice though. It pulls well although there has been a noise from the gearbox when pulling in second. This has been the case ever since I buying the van and hasn’t got any worse??!! I am not so sure about the Vauxhall service agents though as when my warranty was about to run out I took the van to sort the noisy box out, they messed around for about two weeks until the van was out of manufacturers warranty then refused to sort out the noise. Now changing to a 2.0 cdti lwb, from what I can gather the bulk of the problems seem to be with the earlier vans. Buy with lots of warranty.

Vauxhall Vivaro 2002

Avoid at all costs, gearbox is rubbish. Clutch and master / slave cylinders are not up to the job. Discs are hopeless, this van is no workhorse, it will cost you a fortune to maintain instead of earning you money. Buy a Mercedes, VW or Transit instead and you will be better off!!!

Responses to this review

Hi, I have a 02 van bought at 40,000 miles, now done 53000,but sadly the gear box (I think) is going (?) I’m finding it hard to locate gears but no grinding of any sort, goes up easier than down, is it the box or the clutch? any help, please?? - Alan from Cheshire

Vauxhall Vivaro 2007

Problem after problem... now gearbox has gone after 30,000 miles. This is costing over £1,000 for reconditioned replacement.

Vauxhall Vivaro 2700 cdti 2006

Comfortable drive on long distance; fast and economical to run; elegant to look at and uncluttered interior.

Vauxhall Vivaro 2005

Do not buy one of these vans- stick with transit, only 43000 miles and had 2 new gear boxes and 2 new cluthes, van spends more time off road than on it even the vauxhall mechanics say they are rubbish. DO NOT BUY ONE OFF THESE TERRIBLE VANS IT HAS NEARLY PUT ME OUT OF BUSINESS AND VAUXHALL DO NOT CARE IF YOU PHONE CUSTOMER SERVICE AND THEY CAN’T SPEAK OR UNDERSTAND A WORD OFF ENGLISH.

Vauxhall Vivaro 2004

I’ve had this van 4 years and the gearbox has gone at 34,000 miles. I’m not happy about it - what will go wrong next?

Vauxhall Vivaro 2.5 DT 2003

This van saved my life, I had an accident a week ago, I lost the back end on a wet road, I ended up on the side on the van in a field, just off the road. I walked away from the van with only a cut knuckle and that was because a wooden stake went through the small little window on drivers side n into the steering wheel. (I was quite lucky there really, I could have ended up a lot worse). The van was a write off because another stake had pushed in the corner of the roof but other than that a perfect van. The 2.5 TD 2900 I had was a flying machine 147bhp 300NM of torque, I’d get another for sure!! Well recommended van! More solid than a Transit, and I’ve owned a Transit!

Vauxhall Vivaro 2.5 cdti 2005

I have had this van from new and with 52k on the clock have had little trouble. The service costs have been high on the 2 services I have had, they insist on renewing the brake discs all round which I am sure is what they say to everyone. The power is more than adequate from the engine and I also got mine with an extra side loading door which has been a god-send. I am thinking about renewing soon and was thinking about a Transporter but after reading the reviews I think my search might see me buying another Vivaro.

Vauxhall Vivaro 2002

I have had this van 42 months and what a nice van to drive when running ok !!!! At 35,000 the fuel pump went a £3,000 bill at dealers and now at 38,000 the gearbox needs replacing. I wouldn’t buy again - get a Transporter!

Vauxhall Vivaro 1.9 CDTI 2004

Just gone onto a mere 29.000 miles and the gearbox has had to go in as the bearings etc have gone, have never ground the gears and have always changed gear smoothly, now find out its going to cost about £1500 to fix really ******* off would have bought a Transit as before so will never buy one of them again, haven’t even paid for it yet. Beware, the running costs are expensive, also turbo sensor went - £120.00.

Vauxhall Vivaro SWB 1.9dcti 6speed 2004

Well my experience of this van is thankfully short, but not sweet. I started a new job 5 weeks ago, picked up the van from Arnold Clark van centre in Glasgow, 4 days late after a set of injectors, clutch and MOT @99,000 miles. I drove 2000 miles and the gearbox packed in, wouldn’t select 1st, 2nd, 4th or reverse!! The lease company have pulled the plug on the contract as it’s too expensive to run now, being a 54 plat and now over 100kmiles. not a bad van to drive, a bit lacking in the oomph department and if you don’t like courtesy cars or motorway hard shoulders its one to be avoided!!!

Vauxhall Vivaro 2003

Had the van 7 months, its only done 47,000 miles and the gearbox has gone, wish I got a transit now !

Vauxhall Vivaro 2002

Bought my van 2 years ago second hand in good condition. Wish I had spent my money elsewhere. in the past 18 months I’ve had to have new master and slave cylinders, new clutch and the gearbox has just gone for the second time! Great van when it works but unfortunately it doesn’t work for long. At least I’m getting my money’s worth out of the RAC...

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.

Vauxhall Vivaro 2003

Great van, good looking, good on fuel, comfortable, well made, rubbish gearbox , gearbox bearings made out of hardend porridge... BEWARE!

Vauxhall Vivaro l900 lwb mini-bus 2004

Bought vehicle new, have now done 126,000 miles and have just ordered another. 2 sets of discs, 1 master cylinder, 2 cam belts at due change and a service every 18000. miles including pads, tyres and oils plus filters, nothing more, and its all stop start work around town.

Vauxhall Vivaro 1.9 DTi 2900 2002

The only thing wrong with this van is the fact that the gearbox, clutch and brakes are not up to the job. The gearbox has cheap bearings and at £1000 pounds a pop for a reconditioned replacement this can prove rather expensive. The clutch just hasn’t got the grunt for the job in hand so you can add a few more pounds to the running costs for replacement every 30,000 miles. The brakes just don’t last and the master cylinder is a bit suspect. So if you like spending loads on service and repair this is the van for you!!!!!!!

Vauxhall Vivaro 2.0cdti 9 seat minibus LWB 2007

Bought almost new from Vauxhall dealer. Covered 6000 miles in 2 months. Very smooth engine. Will sit all day at 90-100mph (abroad of course). We use it as an alternative to the run of the mill MPV’s (old car was ’03 Galaxy) and do not regret decision for a minute. Excellent for big family (6 of us + 2 dogs) who like to travel - loads of space for luggage. Very good for towing large caravan - but keep an eye on your speed - very easy to creep up to 70+. Slick 6 speed box, light controls, nice ride. Handling okay, but remember this is a basically a van with seats ! No complaint about space or comfort of seats. One niggle is that the stereo is not up to the standard of my last car - but for £16k including the alloys and roof ladder that I got added it’s a lot of metal for the money. So far I have achieved about 36mpg.

Vauxhall Vivaro lwb high roof 2004

have had this vehicle since 6 months old love it due to good points quick for a van great on fuel cheap to run i.e. road tax and insurance big van inside due to high door handles well good to drive now done 80000mls bad points 3rd gearbox needs no4 now this is an inherent problem have spoken to Vauxhall and Renault mechanics they recon to be changing at least 1 a week eats brakes even though i have had major problems with gearboxes i will buy an other vivaro or one of its variants i.e. primistar or traffic

Vauxhall Vivaro 1.9Di 2700 swb 80 2006

Very smart van. Nice and neat to drive and good load space. Good cabin area with lots of stowage areas. Very good on fuel and low insurance rating. Good hardworking van that looks the biz.