Vauxhall Vivaro 1.9 Engine Problems

The Vauxhall Vivaro, an established presence in the commercial van market, has found its fair share of loyal customers over the years. However, some owners of the newer models, specifically the 1.9 engine variant, have raised concerns about engine issues, with many debating the reasons behind such problems and how best to approach them.

The Main Issue

The crux of the issue seems to revolve around engine failures occurring in fairly new Vivaros, less than a year old in some cases. Some owners report incidents where the engine malfunctioned without any prior warning or indicator lights. One noteworthy instance was where a vehicle’s engine malfunctioned, and upon inspection by the dealer, it was allegedly found to have no oil. This was in contradiction to the owner’s observation that the oil level was fine and the oil warning light never illuminated.

Solutions and Possible Approaches

1. Documenting Oil Purchases: Keeping a record of engine oil purchases, especially if made with a card that provides a receipt, can help in proving regular maintenance and that the engine had been duly topped up with oil. This could act as evidence against any claims of negligence by the vehicle owner.
2. Diagnostic Checks: If the oil light didn’t come on prior to the engine failure, then it’s suggested that a diagnostic machine could be used to print out a list of error codes. The absence of a low oil warning in this list could potentially prove the malfunction was due to a faulty system and not negligence.
3. Research on Recalls: Some Vivaro models have had recalls for issues related to the engine control unit (ECU). It’s worthwhile for owners to check if their van missed a recall or hasn’t been serviced when it should have.
4. Seeking Third-party Opinions: Before making any decisions, it might be helpful to get the vehicle inspected by an independent garage to ascertain the real cause of the malfunction.
5. Approaching Trading Standards: If a compromise isn’t reached with the dealership, or they’re unwilling to admit liability, approaching Trading Standards might be the next logical step.

Additional Points to Consider

• It’s quite unusual for a brand-new vehicle to exhaust its oil levels in under a year. If the vehicle indeed has an engine oil pressure light instead of an oil level light, it might not illuminate even if the oil is off the dipstick. It’s only when the oil level gets too low for the engine to function that the light would come on, by which time damage might have already occurred.
• There’s a distinction between the 1.9 and the newer 1.6 engines. Vauxhall transitioned to the 1.6 engine for the Vivaro about three years prior to the latest complaints. Owners should be clear about which engine they have, as this might impact the nature of the problems they encounter.
• A car less than a year old generally shouldn’t require oil top-ups. If it does, there might be inherent problems with the engine, turbo, or possible leaks.

Wrapping Up

While the Vauxhall Vivaro has its advocates, who vouch for its reliability over the years, these recent incidents raise questions about potential quality issues in newer models. The onus largely falls on dealerships and the manufacturer to ensure that such issues are addressed promptly and fairly, especially when the vehicle is under warranty.

Vehicle owners, meanwhile, should be proactive—keeping meticulous records, seeking independent opinions, and being persistent in their dealings with dealerships. After all, for many, a vehicle isn’t just a luxury but an essential tool for their livelihood.