City car · 2012–2019 cars
Vauxhall Viva reliability
The Vauxhall Viva fails 15.6% of first MOT tests, about average for its age and mileage, based on 122,261 DVSA MOT tests from 2022 to 2024.
Checking a Vauxhall Viva before you buy?
- first-time MOT fail rate (all cars: 28.4%)
- 15.6%
- first-time MOT fail rate (all cars: 28.4%)
- fails than cars of the same age and mileage
- 2% more
- fails than cars of the same age and mileage
- MOT tests analysed, 2022 to 2024
- 122,261
- MOT tests analysed, 2022 to 2024
- typical miles a year, from MOT readings
- 5,200
- typical miles a year, from MOT readings
MOT fail rate by age
How the Vauxhall Viva ages
Each point is the share of Vauxhall Vivas of that age that failed their MOT first time, against all cars of the same age.
| Age at MOT (years) | Vauxhall Viva | All cars |
|---|---|---|
| 3 | 11.5% | 12.3% |
| 4 | 13% | 14.1% |
| 5 | 13.4% | 16.4% |
| 6 | 14.8% | 19.1% |
| 7 | 18% | 22.1% |
| 8 | 21.3% | 25.5% |
| 9 | 25.6% | 28.8% |
By year
The best and worst Vauxhall Viva years
2016 cars come out best and 2019 cars worst, once age and mileage are taken into account.
| First registered | Tests | Fail rate | Against same-age cars | Typical mileage |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2019 Viva | 10,538 | 12.2% | 12% more fails | 18,740 |
| 2018 Viva | 17,912 | 13.1% | 8% more fails | 22,055 |
| 2017 Viva | 31,941 | 14.6% | 1% more fails | 28,261 |
| 2016 Viva | 45,224 | 16.7% | 1% fewer fails | 33,940 |
| 2015 Viva | 16,645 | 19.1% | 2% more fails | 36,680 |
Common problems
What fails most on a Vauxhall Viva
Its weak spot is windscreen, wipers and mirrors: 59% more fails there than cars of the same age and mileage.
Fail rate by area
- Tyres5.7%28% above avg
- Windscreen, wipers and mirrors5.1%59% above avg
- Lights and electrics2.8%27% below avg
- Suspension1.9%29% below avg
- Brakes1.8%32% below avg
- Body, chassis and structure1.2%53% above avg
- Exhaust, emissions and leaks1%2% above avg
- Steering0.5%13% above avg
- Number plates and VIN0.1%60% below avg
Average for cars of the same age and mileage
Top MOT failures
- 1
Wiper blade not clearing windscreen 3.39% of tests
Wipers that do not clear the windscreen reduce visibility in rain, which is a safety risk, so replace them.
- 2
Tyre pressure monitoring system faulty 1.71% of tests
A faulty tyre pressure monitor cannot warn about low tyre pressure, so check tyres manually and have the fault diagnosed.
- 3
Tyre tread below 1.6mm 1.11% of tests
Tread below 1.6mm is illegal and reduces grip in wet conditions, so the tyre must be replaced.
- 4
Tyre cut reaching ply or cords 0.99% of tests
A cut reaching the ply or cords weakens the tyre and can cause a burst, so it must be replaced.
- 5
Windscreen washer fluid insufficient 0.93% of tests
Washers are not supplying enough liquid, so the windscreen cannot be cleared properly, which is a safety issue.
- 6
Brake pads worn below 1.5mm 0.9% of tests
Pads worn below 1.5mm lose stopping power and can damage discs, so replacement is needed before the car is driven.
- 7
Tyre tear from structural failure 0.65% of tests
A tear in the tyre's structure means it can fail suddenly, so it must be replaced before the car is driven.
- 8
Tyre ply or cords exposed 0.63% of tests
Exposed ply or cords can let the tyre fail suddenly, so the tyre must be replaced before the car is driven.
Most common advisories
Not a fail yet, but worth pricing in: these show up on a Vauxhall Viva's MOT certificate most often.
- Tyre slightly damaged or cracking12.65%
- Tyre worn close to legal limit8.67%
- Brake pads wearing thin4.85%
- Exhaust mounting defective4.19%
- Engine oil leak, not excessive2.23%
- Suspension arm pin/bush showing wear2.08%
Before you buy
What to check on a used Vauxhall Viva
- 1
Wiper blade not clearing windscreen
Wipers that do not clear the windscreen reduce visibility in rain, which is a safety risk, so replace them.
- 2
Tyre pressure monitoring system faulty
A faulty tyre pressure monitor cannot warn about low tyre pressure, so check tyres manually and have the fault diagnosed.
- 3
Tyre tread below 1.6mm
Tread below 1.6mm is illegal and reduces grip in wet conditions, so the tyre must be replaced.
- 4
Tyre cut reaching ply or cords
A cut reaching the ply or cords weakens the tyre and can cause a burst, so it must be replaced.
- 5
Every MOT since new
Look for the faults above coming back year after year: it shows how the car has been looked after.
- 6
The mileage record
A typical Vauxhall Viva covers about 5,200 miles a year. A big gap or a drop between MOTs is a warning sign.
- 7
Finance, stolen and write-off
The records the MOT can't show. A Full Check (£9.99) covers all three before you hand over any money.
Fuel types tested
- Petrol100%
- Diesel0%
Most common colours
Red, White, Blue, Grey, Black
Average engine size: 1.0 litres.
Compare
How the Vauxhall Viva compares with its rivals
| Model | Fail rate | Against same-age cars |
|---|---|---|
| Suzuki Celerio | 14.6% | 8% fewer MOT fails than the average car its age |
| Skoda Citigo | 18.8% | 5% fewer MOT fails than the average car its age |
| Vauxhall Viva | 15.6% | about average for its age |
| Smart Fortwo | 20.8% | 7% more MOT fails than the average car its age |
| Vauxhall Agila | 37.4% | 18% more MOT fails than the average car its age |
| Suzuki Alto | 33.4% | 20% more MOT fails than the average car its age |
| Volkswagen Fox | 47.2% | 24% more MOT fails than the average car its age |
Every city car ranked in the city car reliability index, or all Vauxhall models.
Questions
Vauxhall Viva questions, answered
Is the Vauxhall Viva reliable?
On MOT results, the Vauxhall Viva is about average: it fails 15.6% of first MOT tests, about average for its age and mileage. It ranks 11 of 43 city car models in our index.
What fails most on a Vauxhall Viva MOT?
The most common MOT failures on the Vauxhall Viva are wiper blade not clearing windscreen (3.39% of tests), tyre pressure monitoring system faulty (1.71% of tests), tyre tread below 1.6mm (1.11% of tests). By area, tyres fails 5.7% of its tests.
Which Vauxhall Viva year is the most reliable?
Among years with 1,000+ tests, 2016 cars do best (about average for its age) and 2019 cars do worst (12% more MOT fails than the average car its age).
How many miles does a Vauxhall Viva do a year?
A typical Vauxhall Viva covers about 5,200 miles a year, from the mileage recorded at its MOTs. Check the car you're looking at against that with a free mileage check.
How do I check a Vauxhall Viva before I buy it?
Enter its registration for a free check of its MOT history, mileage, ULEZ status and tax. Before you pay, a Full Check (£9.99) shows outstanding finance, stolen and write-off records.
Source: DVSA anonymised MOT test results, 2022 to 2024, class 4 vehicles aged 3 to 25, normal tests only. How we compare like with like: our methodology.
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