Vauxhall Meriva A, a constantly recurring theme

Yet another Vauxhall taunts Malcolm in his household, but could this one actually be flawless?
Of course not, it's a Vauxhall, but is it worth looking beyond the flaw(s)?
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[@MRJWC2332]

power steering fail.... BATTERY The battery when it gets older the cells dye very slowly thus low amps, so when you turn the wheel the motor on the colum needs a good 8amps to push & pull the drive shaft. I had the dreaded bloody fault and in when it happens I would turn off the engine ( even at a turning junction) then it over with a few revs and it was ok... so the battery was getting a "jump start" from the starter in hence the high ameres to the battery. So i did take it out and tested it with a shunt ( 150k resistor 50watts) and votage dropped down from 12.3volts to 7.9 volts. So got a bosch m4 its still going no problems thats now 3 years. DONT FORGET........ A car batterys life span is around 4 - 5 years especailly STOP & START journerys.....

[@OverDriveOnline7921]

Brand new battery didn’t solve the issue last year. Seems to be a heat thing. There are many issues that cause the same problem, ie the power steering fails, from sensors to connector issues, from what I’ve seen from pretty extensive research on this over the last 18 months, is it’s the usual GM penny pinching. For the number of people saying battery issue, compared to the other issues causing this, it’s a small minority. But as mentioned, the battery was replaced in March last year and during the summer, we spent more time without power steering, especially on those really hot days, than we did with power steering.

[@kiwi_renegade]

Only just bought the 2005 1.7 DTI as my first car. I really hope none of these issues appear on mine, at least for the next few years and hopefully then I am able to sell it.

[@OverDriveOnline7921]

You never know, it may well have had work on the power steering issue already, so you could well be covered there. To be absolutely fair to the Meriva, it’s still being used daily by my wife, so has survived well as most Vauxhalls she’s had have died a death many times over by now, though we will see when it comes to the MOT… As you have the 1.7TDi, you shouldn’t have the lack of power issues we have living in a hilly area with a measley 1.4 petrol engine. While it hasn’t got worse (it could t possibly do that), it is still like driving through a sea of treacle on everything but the slightest slope, which is a rarity in the Kirklees area!

[@kiwi_renegade]

@@OverDriveOnline7921 I have noticed the lack of power and sounds as if it is struggling when going slightly uphill with this one too. Do you think it would be able to go up the mountains?

[@OverDriveOnline7921]

@AS-fg7qg the car that literally makes mountains out of molehills? Worth a try for a charity event 😊

[@citic101]

good review .... power stearing column errr ..... sounds dangerous ?.....2007 17 CDTI ? ........ i was thinking for a one man garden business ?

[@OverDriveOnline7921]

If you were goi g to get something like this, I’d go for the 2010 year models, no electric power steering issues and a little better balance with engine and weight, so better performance overall. However, under GM, nothing about Vauxhall/Opel cars were over engineered, they were all built to be “Good enough” and no better which means unless you get a well looked after example, you are likely to get a clunker if they are getting g on a bit. Taking those things into account, and the trouble we’ve had with Vauxhalls (plus experiences from years ago which I’ve rarely gone into), my recommendation for Vauxhalls bought without a warranty is avoid at all costs. They turn up cheap for a reason and more often than not, prove the maxim of buy cheap, buy twice! A follow up after having the car 12 months is coming at some point soon…

[@citic101]

THANKS

[@butterbean320]

I'm looking into buying one of these cars second hand. It has the EML on but the owners are telling me it's been on since before the last mot and it passed the mot with the light on. Is that true? Can it pass the mot with the eml light on.

[@OverDriveOnline7921]

Ours had that, turned out it was the mass air flow sensor which was on backwards and was also no longer working. Swapped it with the one from the Corsa that was about to go to the scrappers and still in and working g today. See if you can use something like Torque or an EML reader to get the code, if it’s the air flow sensor, cheap and easy swap 😊

[@butterbean320]

@@OverDriveOnline7921 thanks for the reply. Subbed to your channel. I didn't think a car could pass an mot with the engine management light on.

[@OverDriveOnline7921]

@@butterbean320 no, it couldn’t really, but somehow when they are for sale, they do! One thing to note, the petrol engines are pretty poor really, the 1.6 has some poke but as soon as it starts going wrong it’s time to get rid, the 1.7 diesel is the best compromise for mpg, power and reliability. Unless you live somewhere flat, don’t even consider the 1.4 as any hill will leave it with all the puff of an ME sufferer after a marathon, it just can’t cope that well. Any mpg advantage the 1.4 appears to give just vanish in hilly areas or at speed on dual carriageways or motorways. Last journey I did on the motorway was only the second time I’ve been in a car that struggles to overcome its own aerodynamics, the other being the original Vauxhall Agila/Suzuki wagon R! Then don’t forget the EPS issue! They could be really good vehicles, but General Motors penny pinching is on show here. Nice handling, well put together but ruined by an engine originally designed for the original Astra in the 70’s along with an EPS system than needed an extra 10p in the budget to build it properly. Even cash strapped Rover did a better job with the MG F and TF, which says a lot about what was being forced on Vauxhall Opel at the time.

[@eugeneoneal3034]

I had the dreaded power steering fail on me a few times two years ago(2006 1.3cdti), the fix that I found was to unplug the plugs in the foot well on the right hand side, then I used 'DeoxIT Contact Cleaning Fluid 2ml' on the plug pins and connectors. It's been fine ever since. I still have it to this day with no problems.

[@ianmcalpine7827]

Thanks I try it tomorrow 😊

[@eugeneoneal3034]

@@ianmcalpine7827 It worked for me and I still have the same car with no problems, Be carefull with the little plastic wedge clip holding the connector, it's diificult to unplug.

[@vinnysingh1859]

@@eugeneoneal3034 I'm gonna try this too, if you have any walk through reccomendations on how to do this that would be very much appreciated

[@PMc-l4f]

Ive got a meriva 1.4 47k fsh. Great wee car, engine underpowered, and road tax too high. 1.4 suffers timing chain rattle if oil/filter not changed, so do it. 1.6 far better engine and suits the car better with 100 bhp and has a timing belt. Its a very practical car and nice to drive, very quiet. I've got twin sunroors, cruise control, 4 electric windows, mirrors, and diamond black metalic paint. Cheap to buy easy to fix, forget EPS issues, easy to fix. No big deal, every car you buy has its inherent faults. Defo go get one.

[@RoseTarotRealm]

I know this review is for a 2009 meriva, but I’m considering buying a used 2015 meriva. I’ve never owned one, or a Vauxhall vehicle before. I’d actually had my heart set on an Astra, but the seller is guiding me to the meriva. Especially as I’m a Mum. Do you think he’s sending me in the right direction? It’s a 1.4 petrol engine with 72,000 miles on the clock. I’m hoping it will last me years as I’m done with having to re buy old cars every 2-3 years (2015 would be the newest model I’d had ever owned to date). I’m hoping to find some really compelling reviews to guide me before I commit.

[@OverDriveOnline7921]

The 2015 model doesn’t have as many issues as the model we have, this was the final year of that body type and the 2010 onward had issues like the steering implemented a bit better from what I’ve seen. That said, alway make sure the service history is there, even if it’s not bang up to date, as if it’s been well looked after most of its life, it should last a while. Key things to take account of: 1/ if you live in a hilly area, make sure it’s as a minimum the 1.6 petrol or above. The 1.4 engine just cannot cope with the heavier body and glass of the Mariva 2/ any dealer worth working with will offer a warranty, anything found during that time should be looked at, no matter how minor it seems at the time. Major issues often start as minor niggles on older cars, regardless of model or manufacturer (unless it’s a Fiat 500, then it’s just bad from new). 3/ if it’s not noted that it’s been serviced recently, service it. If there is no mention of a cambelt change, negotiate price down, or offer to pay more if the dealer will get it done. Don’t pay too much more thoug as their costs are cheaper than you getting it done. Cost for this is usually around £300 to £400, but if it’s not been done and the belt snaps, that’s a new engine! Other than those points, which are similar for most cars (unless it’s a cam chain engine), and something a lot of people never really take into consideration.

[@MotorTorq_ZA]

I’d rather have power steering issues than burn to a crisp in a zafira

[@comradebismarck]

That decided to commit suicide had me in tears 😂😂😂😂😂

[@risteardconchuir4065]

I love my Meriva for the spacious interior and feeling of being higher up on the road. But my 2008 1.4 Breeze has started with the power steering failure, especially in cold weather when it needs to warm up. As long as I keep the revs up it hasn't happened much though. The other two gripes are having much smaller cars pass by when going uphill and it takes so long to get the heaters warm, sometimes 40mins in very cold weather, perhaps due the spacious interior and lukewarm fans.

[@OverDriveOnline7921]

There are a couple of suggestions here in the comments regarding the steering which would be worth trying out, ours though is the exact opposite, having trouble in the warm weather rather than with the cold, where we have literally no issue at all, even after the cars warmed up on a long journey

[@PMc-l4f]

Power steering motor draws over 70 amps so make sure you have a good quality battery and your alternator is strong.

[@dancer6070]

i love yur view on meriva. i had 1400 petrol i did not like. no guts. but the 1700 diesel is amazing, god i work that hoss hard she is GOOD, NEVER PUTS A FOOT WRONG.

[@dancer6070]

this car is bloody good

[@ooz8539]

I totally agree with everything you said i do have a vauxhall marie 17 diesel turbo with the bigger engine and the extra power really good car got the room at the back put the seats down becomes like minivan is everything I needed for practical and economic but it does have that issue with the power steering it's too bad if only Vauxhall came up with the better design for the engine steering column it would be perfect people that need car like that and I think much prettier than a Zafira and a little bit more comfortable but now Peugeot has taken over the company and the Vauxhall Meriva Mark 2 cars look ugly and still have the same problem is it possible you can do a video on a kia soul which is a similar car but seems to have all the right ticks mechanical and looks I would really appreciate it because I may need to buy one of those on a 1600 turbo diesel I like the way you explain the workings of a car easy to understand truthful need more like that on this KZbin thanks again

[@OverDriveOnline7921]

Hi, thank you for the comment, but the ‘Mark 2’ or Meriva B came out in 2010, which brought in the improved EPS unit which is often used to fix the original. This was way before the Peugeot takeover (about 10 years before)which can only be good for Vauxhall as GM only engineered things to be good enough as anything better cost more money! Also the Citroen Xantia and C5 I used to own were almost magical in terms of quality and comfort, something no Vauxhall (including the current range) can come close to matching. Hopefully things will be improving, after all, despite the shared platforms, Citroen and Peugeot produce vastly different cars with distinct personalities and handling so as long as they are allowed to do their own design, Vauxhall could well flourish.

[@TheBrummiedoug]

@@OverDriveOnline7921 The EPS can be a nightmare, I found that the multi plug (behind the cover, right leg) to be not the tightest of sockets. I removed the clip and pulled the plug socket apart until it felt tight, then tape it in that position. We've done a few thousand miles since. Some say that they are voltage sensitive and replace the battery, the previous owner replaced the one on ours four years ago, probably to cure it.

[@OverDriveOnline7921]

@@TheBrummiedoug interesting, we’ve found it more of an issue over summer, when warn it would constantly fail, even with restarting the engine, sometimes it wouldn’t come back at all until the next day, now it’s winter it’s fine but other people report different failure patterns. One constant it that they fail quicker if you need to do a lot of full lock turns, with the sensor. Proving to be a point of failure. We found a place that will recondition and re-engineer the unit and from what I’ve gathered so far, none of these units fail again so may well be worth a look. As for us, the plan is to get rid before the MOT comes up. Living in the hilly area we do, this just drinks fuel as on many roads your not out of third gear, whereas my nearly 20 year old 75 can do the same road in fifth gear and uses far less fuel.

[@ianstewart5467]

@@OverDriveOnline7921 I would appreciate the contact details of the 'recondition' company...I would like to repair my unit ! Thank you, Ian

[@OverDriveOnline7921]

@@ianstewart5467 It was my wife who was looking at this as it's her Meriva, the details are at www.ecutesting.com/common-faults/vauxhall/vauxhall-meriva-electric-power-steering-column-eps-fault/

[@NB_NB_NB]

Thanks for the upload. I'm due to look at a Meriva VXR next week, a private sale, but i'm not so sure with the EPS issue.

[@OverDriveOnline7921]

If it’s a pre 2010, personally I’d ask for evidence that the EPS units been replaced or probably look for something else. Personally after beginning to like Vauxhalls, I’m back to my starting point that I had a few years ago… Avoid!

[@mattlawton4715]

@@OverDriveOnline7921 they really are crap

[@mattlawton4715]

@@OverDriveOnline7921 your power steering will at some point just stop and it goes rock hard so not at all safe for your wife. 👍

[@OverDriveOnline7921]

To be fair, I wouldn’t say they were good enough to be crap after putting up with it for the last few years. Been meaning to do a follow up for a while now on that subject…

[@mattlawton4715]

Leave it there is better to be had

[@TheDefJamm]

It's an MPV not a SUV

[@neilwilliams4684]

Is it even an MPV?

[@chrisevansgardenservicesjo8093]

I’ve got the Vauxhall mareva design 1.6 in automatic and manual awsum car the 1.6 automatic and manual is awsum very quick car it’s also got 2 sun roofs and black out bk windows mine is a year 2008 the steering weel sensor only fails when water gets on it