Budget city car that keeps things simple
Vauxhall revived the Viva name in 2015 as a no-frills city car to undercut the Corsa, priced from around £7,995 new. Production ran just four years to 2019, making it a short-lived model. Used examples now start from £3,500-£5,500 with low mileage. It competes with the Hyundai i10 and Kia Picanto but lacks their sparkle. A three-star Euro NCAP rating and basic spec keep it firmly in the budget bracket. EcoFLEX models registered before April 2017 attract zero road tax, making them exceptionally cheap to run.
We track 5 known issues across the Vauxhall VIVA range, with 1 classified as significant. Knowing which variants and configurations to approach with caution can save you from expensive surprises after purchase.
Found a Vauxhall VIVA? Enter the reg to see which of our 5 known issues apply to that exact car, plus full MOT history and mileage checks.
E (2015–2019) — Engine options included the 1.0 Ecotec. We track 5 known issues on this generation, with 1 classified as significant. The most significant concern is Steering ball joint premature wear (£120–£200 to address).
Track rod end ball joints show excessive wear at unusually low mileage on this generation. MOT data shows failure rates 4.4 times higher than the fleet average, with peak failures occurring between 20,000-40,000 miles. This suggests either inadequate lubrication, poor quality components, or insufficient protection from road dirt and water. The issue affects steering precision and will cause MOT failure for excessive play.
Worn ball joints cause imprecise steering, irregular tyre wear, and will result in MOT failure. In extreme cases, a failed ball joint can cause loss of steering control. Replacement of both track rod ends is typically required and costs £150-300 including tracking adjustment.
During the test drive, check the steering for excessive play, vibration or pulling to one side. Listen for groaning or whining when turning the wheel at low speed. Power steering fluid level and condition should be checked on hydraulic systems.
The exhaust system on this generation shows premature corrosion of the rear silencer and deterioration of exhaust mounting rubbers. MOT data shows this model fails exhaust tests at 9.0 times the national fleet average, with the highest failure rate between 40,000-60,000 miles. The issue affects the rear section most commonly, with mounting points failing due to corrosion around the brackets. This is significantly worse than typical small car performance and suggests a design or material quality issue.
A leaking exhaust system will cause MOT failure and may allow exhaust gases to enter the passenger compartment. Failed exhaust mountings can cause the exhaust to contact the underfloor and create additional damage. Complete rear silencer replacement typically costs £150-300 depending on whether the mounting points also need repair.
Check for any engine warning lights on the dashboard. Ask about the car's MOT emissions history — repeated failures suggest underlying issues. A pre-purchase diagnostic scan is especially worthwhile to check for stored emissions fault codes.
The 1.0-litre turbocharged engine shows higher rates of engine management light illumination, particularly on higher mileage examples. MOT data indicates Common causes include lambda sensor degradation, carbon build-up affecting airflow measurement, and vacuum leaks in the turbocharger system.
An illuminated engine management light will cause automatic MOT failure. The underlying faults can affect fuel economy, performance, and emissions compliance. Diagnostic investigation typically costs £60-100, with repair costs varying from £100-500 depending on the specific component requiring replacement.
Check for any engine warning lights on the dashboard. Ask about the car's MOT emissions history — repeated failures suggest underlying issues. A pre-purchase diagnostic scan is especially worthwhile to check for stored emissions fault codes.
The passenger seat backrest mechanism shows premature failure of the locking mechanism that secures the backrest in the upright position. MOT data shows 8.4 times the fleet average failure rate for this specific defect, with peak failures between 20,000-40,000 miles. This is a design weakness affecting the ratchet mechanism or release lever that allows the seat back to fold forward for rear access.
A defective seat mechanism will cause MOT failure as it represents a safety risk in the event of an accident. The seat may not adequately restrain an occupant if the backrest cannot be secured properly. Repair typically requires replacement of the seat mechanism or complete seat, costing £200-500 depending on parts availability.
Check all interior functions: infotainment, heater controls, electric seats, dashboard displays and warning lights. Look for worn or damaged trim pieces. On cars with known interior electrical issues, a diagnostic scan is recommended.
The 1.0-litre engine shows higher than average rates of oil leakage, typically from valve cover gaskets, oil filter housing, or sump gasket. MOT data indicates While not immediately dangerous, oil leaks can progress and may indicate premature deterioration of engine seals on this generation.
Oil leaks will cause MOT failure if they pose environmental or safety risks. Progressive leaks can lead to low oil level and potential engine damage if not monitored. Simple gasket replacement typically costs £100-250, while more complex oil cooler or timing cover leaks may cost £300-600 to repair.
Check the oil level before the engine is started. Ask the seller how often they top up the oil between services. After a test drive, check the level again and look behind the car for blue or grey exhaust smoke under acceleration.
For the full breakdown of all 5 tracked issues with repair costs, see the Vauxhall VIVA common problems page.
Based on 195k real DVSA MOT tests, the Vauxhall VIVA fails more often than average on several items. The biggest outlier is tyre wear or damage at 74x the fleet average, followed by power steering fault (10x).
When viewing a specific car, check its MOT history for recurring advisories in these categories. See the full Vauxhall VIVA MOT failure breakdown for data at every mileage point.
Routine servicing (oil and filter change every 20k miles) typically costs £80–£120 at an independent garage.
See the full Vauxhall VIVA service schedule for every interval and cost breakdown.
The Vauxhall VIVA is a reasonable used buy provided you check for the issues outlined above. None of the problems we track are insurmountable, but they do reward buyers who inspect thoroughly and verify the service history before committing. 2016-2017 models in SL trim offer the best balance of equipment and value: you get air conditioning, heated seats and a touchscreen as standard. EcoFLEX versions from this period pay zero road tax. The Viva Rocks from late 2017 adds visual appeal with raised suspension and body cladding. Avoid the rare Easytronic automatic models which are jerky in traffic. The entire 2015-2019 run uses the same 1.0 three-cylinder engine, so differences between years are minimal -- focus on spec and condition over year.
Before committing, check the car's full MOT history, verify the service record is complete, and if possible arrange a specialist inspection. Enter any registration into our free report to see the complete picture.
Get Car Wise maintains a database of known mechanical issues for every popular car on UK roads, tracking the faults that owners, specialists and DVSA data reveal.
When you run a report on a specific Vauxhall VIVA, we cross-reference the exact variant, engine and age against our database of 5 known issues. Combined with full MOT history analysis, mileage verification and DVLA data, you get a complete picture before viewing.
Enter the registration for MOT history, mileage verification, known faults for that exact variant, and a Get Car Wise Score.
This guide was compiled from independent expert reviews, DVSA MOT data, specialist workshops and our own database of 5 known Vauxhall VIVA issues. We are not affiliated with any source listed.