Used buying guide · Mid-size van · campervan conversions
The Vivaro is one of the most popular bases for campervan conversions in the UK, which means there is a big choice of used vans and a wide range in conversion quality. Which generation you are looking at matters, because the engines and the typical faults change completely between them.
This guide covers the Vauxhall Vivaro problems buyers most often run into on used vans and campervans, what each one looks like on a viewing and what to ask the seller. Not every van will have them. But knowing where to look stops you paying for someone else’s repair bill.
Engines you’ll find: 1.9 CDTi and 2.0 / 2.5 CDTi (2001-2014), 1.6 CDTi (2014-2019), 1.5 and 2.0 diesel (2019 on)
Up to 2019 the Vivaro is built alongside the Renault Trafic. From 2019 it shares its underpinnings with the Peugeot Expert, Citroen Dispatch and Toyota Proace, so the faults on those guides apply too.
What goes wrong on a used Vauxhall Vivaro
1. Gearbox bearing wear on 1.9 diesels
Early 1.9 diesel vans are known for gearbox bearing failure. Listen for a whine or rumble that changes with road speed in the lower gears, and ask whether the gearbox has been rebuilt.
2. Water getting in around the windscreen
On 2014-2019 vans, water leaking past the windscreen seal has been linked to corroded injectors. Look for damp carpets, water marks in the footwells and a rough idle or misfire from cold.
3. EGR valve and DPF problems
Short trips clog the EGR valve and the diesel particulate filter on later engines. Warning lights, limp mode and heavy smoke when accelerating all point to it, so ask when the DPF was last cleaned or replaced.
4. AdBlue faults on 2019-on vans
The 2019-on vans use AdBlue. Faulty pumps and tank heaters can bring up a countdown warning that eventually stops the engine restarting, so check the dash for any AdBlue messages.
5. Clutch and dual-mass flywheel wear
Heavy campervan conversions are hard on the clutch. Judder when pulling away, a knock at idle or a clutch that bites high can all mean a costly clutch and flywheel job is due.
Our tip: Check which generation it is from the registration date before you travel, because a 2013 van and a 2015 van are very different vehicles underneath.
These are problems commonly reported by owners, garages and the motoring press. They are not a diagnosis of any particular van. A van with a full service history and the right repairs already done can be a very good buy.
Checking the conversion as well as the van
On a campervan or motorhome, the living area can cost as much to put right as the engine. Whatever the base vehicle, check these before you buy:
- Damp readings around windows, rooflights, lockers and the floor. Damp is the most expensive hidden problem in a camper.
- Gas appliances light and work, and the regulator hose is in date.
- Leisure battery, 12V system and mains hook-up all work and look professionally installed.
- Water pump, taps and tanks do not leak.
- Any added seats have proper fixings and belts, and the V5C body type matches the conversion for insurance.
- A pop-top or high-top roof does not leak, and the mechanism works.
Before you pay for a used Vauxhall Vivaro
- Check the history. Run the free MOT history check online and look for mileage gaps and repeat advisories. Pay for a full history check for finance, theft and write-off markers.
- Match the paperwork. The seller’s ID, the V5C and the VIN on the van should all match. Be wary of a seller who is selling for someone else.
- See it running from cold. Ask the seller not to start it before you arrive. Many faults show up in the first few minutes.
- Never send a deposit unseen. Pay only at handover, by bank transfer, once you have the keys and the V5C.
Can’t get there to see it? We’ll check it for you
SafeBuy views campervans and motorhomes for buyers across the UK. We check the seller and paperwork against the V5C, run a history and finance check, walk you round the Vauxhall Vivaro on a live video call and send you a photo report. Add our Habitation Check and we take damp readings throughout and test the gas, electrics, battery and water.
Viewing & Verify
£149 + travel
Seller and document checks, history and finance check, live video walk-round and photo report.
Viewing + Habitation Check
£299 + travel
Everything above plus damp readings and checks of the gas, electrics, battery and water.
Drive It Home
By mileage
If you buy it, we drive it to your door. Fixed quote before you commit.
A viewing is not a full mechanical inspection. We report what we can see and measure on the day, so you can decide with the facts in front of you. See the areas we cover.
Other buying guides
Looking at more than one van? Read our guides to Renault Trafic common problems and Peugeot Expert common problems, or see every model we cover.
Questions about buying a Vauxhall Vivaro
What are the most common problems with a used Vauxhall Vivaro?
The problems reported most often are: Gearbox bearing wear on 1.9 diesels; Water getting in around the windscreen; EGR valve and DPF problems; AdBlue faults on 2019-on vans; and Clutch and dual-mass flywheel wear. Not every van will have them, so check the service history and see the van running from cold.
Is a Vauxhall Vivaro a good base for a campervan?
It can be. Vauxhall Vivaro vans are widely used for campervan conversions. The best buys have a full service history, a professionally fitted conversion and no damp in the living area.
Can SafeBuy check a Vauxhall Vivaro before I buy it?
Yes. We view the van for you, check the seller and paperwork, walk you round it on a live video call and can test the living area with our Habitation Check. Prices start at £149 plus travel.
Found one you like? We’ll check the Vauxhall Vivaro for you
Send us the advert and we’ll reply within one working day with a fixed quote to view it for you.