Second Hand Vauxhall Vivaro Catalytic Converter

The vast majority of Vauxhall Vivaro vans sold in the UK were diesel-engined, and diesel engines use a diesel oxidation catalyst (DOC) as part of their exhaust aftertreatment system rather than a traditional petrol-style catalytic converter — so what you are looking for is almost certainly a diesel oxidation catalyst or DPF, not a petrol cat. If you have one of the rarer petrol-engined Vivaro variants, a conventional catalytic converter will be fitted, but these were uncommon in the UK market. Check your V5C or registration plate lookup to confirm your fuel type before ordering, and describe your exact setup to the breaker so they can supply the correct part.

The Vivaro ran across three main generations: the first-generation A (2001–2014), the second-generation B (2014–2019), and the third-generation C (2019 onwards). Each generation used different engine families and different emissions aftertreatment systems, so exhaust components including the diesel oxidation catalyst and DPF are generally not shared between generations. Always tell your breaker which generation you have, ideally confirmed by your registration, as a part from the wrong generation is unlikely to fit or pass MOT.

This question crosses the first-to-second generation boundary (Vivaro A to Vivaro B, with the changeover in 2014), and those two generations used different engine families and exhaust configurations, so a straight swap is very unlikely. Even within the same generation, engine code and emissions standard matter — Euro 5 and Euro 6 systems are not interchangeable. Confirm the engine code and emissions standard with your breaker against both registrations before purchasing.

Trim level in itself does not determine which exhaust aftertreatment part you need — what matters is the engine code, fuel type, and emissions era (Euro 5 or Euro 6). However, the BiTurbo variant uses a different engine specification to the standard single-turbo models, so the engine code on a BiTurbo may point to a different part number even if the van looks identical externally. Tell your breaker your trim name alongside your engine code and registration so they can cross-reference correctly.

On a diesel Vivaro these are two separate components: the diesel oxidation catalyst (DOC) handles initial exhaust gas treatment, while the DPF (diesel particulate filter) traps soot further downstream, and a fault with one does not necessarily mean the other needs replacing. A DPF warning light most commonly points to a blocked or failing DPF rather than the DOC, though both can fail independently. Have the fault codes read before sourcing either part, and confirm with your breaker exactly which unit you need matched to your engine code and registration.

The Vivaro A and Vivaro B were both built on shared platforms with the Renault Trafic and Nissan Primastar, and in many cases the underlying engine and exhaust components are closely related or identical, but whether a specific DOC or DPF from a Trafic will physically and legally fit your Vivaro depends on the exact engine code, model year, and emissions standard of both vehicles. This is strong confirm-with-breaker territory — give your breaker both registrations and ask them to verify the part numbers match before you commit to buying.