Vauxhall Viva MOT Failures
An analysis of 385,602 real DVSA MOT tests on the Vauxhall Viva — what fails, how often, and how that compares to every other car on UK roads. Generations covered: E (2015–2019).
Where the Vauxhall Viva fails its MOT
The single biggest MOT failure point on the Vauxhall Viva is tyre wear or damage — this model is 74 times more likely to fail on this item than the average car on UK roads. That makes it a major concern for anyone buying or owning this model. Across 385,602 MOT tests, 2.21% of all Vauxhall Viva tests recorded this as a failure.
Tyre failures indicate either poor maintenance or suspension geometry issues causing uneven wear. Check all four tyres for tread depth, sidewall damage, and uneven wear patterns.
Other notable weak points include exhaust system damage (9.0x the fleet average), light unit fault (7.7x the fleet average), power steering fault (9.9x the fleet average), and seat mounting fault (8.4x the fleet average). These ratios compare the Vauxhall Viva's failure rate on each item against the national average for all cars tested — a ratio of 10x means this model fails ten times more often than a typical car.
The failures span 4 categories: Tyres, Bodywork, Lights & Electrics, Steering. If you're inspecting a Vauxhall Viva before purchase, these are the areas to focus on — and if any have been flagged as advisories on a previous MOT, they're likely to become failures in the near future.
How failures change with mileage
The Vauxhall Viva's weak points shift as the car covers more miles. Understanding these patterns helps you know what to expect — and what to budget for — at each stage of ownership.
Under 60,000 miles
At this mileage, most failures are either design-related or caused by age rather than wear. Components like bushes and drop links may not have been replaced yet, and original-fit parts can deteriorate even on low-mileage cars that spend a lot of time sitting.
For the Vauxhall Viva specifically, the DVSA data shows the most common failures at this mileage are power steering fault (9.9x the average) and seat mounting fault (8.4x). exhaust system damage (7.8x) and tyre wear or damage (5.7x) also appear frequently.
60,000 to 100,000 miles
This is where routine wear items start to show up. Brake components, tyres, and exhaust parts have done serious work by this point. Cars that have been well serviced will show fewer of these failures — this mileage band is where good maintenance really separates the well-kept from the neglected.
For the Vauxhall Viva specifically, the DVSA data shows the most common failures at this mileage are tyre wear or damage (12x the average) and exhaust system damage (7.8x). light unit fault (5.1x) and light unit fault also appear frequently.
Over 100,000 miles
High-mileage cars accumulate failures across multiple systems. The key question isn't whether things will need doing — they will — but whether the car has been maintained well enough to keep on top of them. Look for a consistent service history and recent MOT passes with minimal advisories.
For the Vauxhall Viva specifically, the DVSA data shows the most common failures at this mileage are tyre wear or damage (46x the average) and exhaust system damage (6.7x).
The shift from power steering fault at lower mileages to tyre wear or damage at higher mileages is typical — early failures tend to be design or factory-related, while high-mileage failures reflect accumulated mechanical wear. A car that's been well maintained will usually dodge the worst of both.
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Known issues beyond the MOT
An MOT only tests roadworthiness at a single point in time — it won't catch developing faults, intermittent problems, or issues that haven't yet reached the failure threshold. These are the issues that Vauxhall Viva specialists and owners flag most frequently, drawn from manufacturer technical bulletins, workshop data, and verified owner reports.
Steering ball joint premature wear (E) Major
Track rod end ball joints show excessive wear at unusually low mileage on this generation. Affects E; typical independent garage repair cost is £120–£200.
Exhaust system corrosion and mounting failure (E)
The exhaust system on this generation shows premature corrosion of the rear silencer and deterioration of exhaust mounting rubbers. Affects E; typical independent garage repair cost is £120–£250.
Engine management light - emissions system faults (E)
The 1.0-litre turbocharged engine shows higher rates of engine management light illumination, particularly on higher mileage examples. Affects E; typical independent garage repair cost is £100–£400.
Passenger seat mechanism failure (E)
The passenger seat backrest mechanism shows premature failure of the locking mechanism that secures the backrest in the upright position. Affects E; typical independent garage repair cost is £150–£300.
For the complete picture — including repair costs across independent, specialist, and dealer garages — see the full Vauxhall Viva common problems breakdown.
What to check before buying a Vauxhall Viva
Based on the MOT failure data and known issues above, here's what to prioritise when inspecting a Vauxhall Viva:
Tyres — check for tyre wear or damage. Bodywork — check for exhaust system damage, seat mounting fault. Lights & Electrics — check for light unit fault. Steering — check for power steering fault.
Beyond the MOT items, ask specifically about steering ball joint premature wear and exhaust system corrosion and mounting failure. These won't show up on a standard MOT but can be expensive to fix — repairs start from £120. A specialist pre-purchase inspection is worth the investment on this model.
Always check the car's full MOT history for patterns — recurring advisories often become failures within 12 months. And verify the service history to confirm maintenance has been kept up to schedule. Enter any reg into our free car check to see the complete picture.
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Vauxhall Viva MOT FAQs
What are the most common MOT failures on a Vauxhall Viva?
Based on 385,602 DVSA MOT tests, the most common failure is tyre wear or damage — at 74x the national fleet average. Other frequent failures include exhaust system damage and light unit fault.
Is the Vauxhall Viva reliable based on MOT data?
The Vauxhall Viva has 5 MOT failure categories above the fleet average. Specialists also flag steering ball joint premature wear as a concern. A pre-purchase inspection and service history check are recommended.
What MOT failures should I expect at high mileage?
Above 100,000 miles, the Vauxhall Viva most commonly fails on tyre wear or damage and exhaust system damage. Under 60,000 miles, the main issues are power steering fault and seat mounting fault.
How do I check a Vauxhall Viva's MOT history?
Enter the registration number into our free car check above. You'll see every MOT test result, advisories and failures, mileage readings, write-off status, and finance checks.
MOT failure data sourced from DVSA bulk test records via data.gov.uk. Ratios compare this model's failure rate against the national fleet average. Known issues sourced from manufacturer bulletins, specialist workshops, and verified owner reports.