Vauxhall Viva MOT pass rate and common problems
86.8% of 50,948 Vauxhall Viva MOT tests pass.
The Viva passes its MOT 86.8% of the time — well above the average across all Vauxhall models, which sits at 73.5%.
The Vauxhall Viva passes its MOT 86.8% of the time — well above the national average for cars, which sits at 79.2%.
Own this Vauxhall Viva?
This is the average across every Vauxhall Viva in the dataset. Look up your own registration for its actual MOT history, and a free place to keep its maintenance records.
Have service invoices? Upload and keep them with your car’s history →
How to check and keep your Vauxhall’s service history →
Pass rate by vehicle age
Pass rate stays relatively stable with age: 90.7% at 3–6 years versus 92.4% at 15+ years.
| Vehicle age | Pass rate | Tests | Average mileage |
|---|---|---|---|
| 0–3 years | no tests recorded | 0 | no reading |
| 3–6 years | 90.7% | 10,157 | 26,253 miles |
| 6–10 years | 85.8% | 40,686 | 40,189 miles |
| 10–15 years | no tests recorded | 0 | no reading |
| 15+ years | 92.4% | 105 | 46,080 miles |
Common MOT failure reasons for the Vauxhall Viva
The most common reason the Vauxhall Viva fails its MOT is tyres — present in 43.1% of failed tests, most often logged as "Malfunctioning or obviously inoperative".
| Category | Share of failed tests | Example |
|---|---|---|
| Tyres | 43.1% | Malfunctioning or obviously inoperative |
| Visibility | 27.1% | Does not clear the windscreen effectively |
| Lamps, reflectors and electrical equipment | 19.8% | Not working |
| Suspension | 17.6% | Ball joint dust cover no longer prevents the ingress of dirt |
| Brakes | 13.8% | Less than 1.5 mm thick |
| Noise, emissions and leaks | 7.7% | Inoperative or indicates a malfunction |
| Body, chassis, structure | 7.5% | System insecure |
| Steering | 4.0% | Ball joint has excessive play |
| Seat belts and supplementary restraint systems | 0.8% | Warning lamp indicates a fault |
| Road Wheels | 0.4% | Badly distorted |
Buying a used Vauxhall Viva: what to check
These checks follow the Vauxhall Viva’s own MOT record: the areas it fails on most often, and how that changes as the car gets older. None of them replaces a mechanic’s inspection, but they tell you where to look first.
The biggest drop in pass rate for the Vauxhall Viva comes between 3–6 years and 6–10 years old, from 90.7% to 85.8%. If you are looking at one in or just past that range, read its MOT history closely.
By mileage, the steepest fall is from 30,000–60,000 mi to 60,000–90,000 mi: 85.3% down to 76.8%. Mileage matters as well as age, so compare the car’s recorded mileages with its year.
1. Tyres
Recorded in 43.1% of failed Vauxhall Viva MOTs.
Check tread depth across the whole width of every tyre, including the inner edge. Uneven wear can point to alignment or suspension problems. Look for cuts and bulges in the sidewalls.
2. Windscreen and wipers
Recorded in 27.1% of failed Vauxhall Viva MOTs.
Look for windscreen chips and cracks in the driver’s line of sight, and check the wipers clear the screen and the washers work.
3. Lights and electrics
Recorded in 19.8% of failed Vauxhall Viva MOTs. 16.2% of tests at 15+ years failed on lights and electrics, against 2.1% at 3–6 years.
Walk round with the lights on: headlights (dipped and main), indicators, brake lights, fog light and number-plate lamp. Check the dashboard warning lights come on with the ignition, then go out once the engine starts.
4. Suspension
Recorded in 17.6% of failed Vauxhall Viva MOTs. 3.7% of tests at 6–10 years failed on suspension, against 0.6% at 3–6 years.
Listen for knocks over bumps and speed humps, and check the car sits level. Push down on each corner: it should settle rather than keep bouncing.
5. Brakes
Recorded in 13.8% of failed Vauxhall Viva MOTs. 8.6% of tests at 15+ years failed on brakes, against 1.2% at 3–6 years.
On the test drive, the car should stop straight without pulling or juddering, and the handbrake should hold it on a slope. Look through the wheels for scored or heavily lipped discs.
Check the car’s own MOT history. Averages describe the model, not the car in front of you. Look up its registration for past failures, advisories that were never fixed, and gaps or dips in the recorded mileage.
Ask for the service history. Invoices show what was done and when; a stamp alone shows less. See how to check Vauxhall service history and what a service history check can tell you.
Related Vauxhall models
- Vauxhall Grandland — 89.5% pass rate
- Vauxhall Crossland — 88.5% pass rate
- Vauxhall Adam — 77.0% pass rate
- Vauxhall Agila — 67.9% pass rate
- Vauxhall Vectra — 62.3% pass rate
- Vauxhall Antara — 66.1% pass rate
Frequently asked questions
- What is the MOT pass rate for the Vauxhall Viva?
- 86.8% of Vauxhall Viva MOT tests pass, based on 50,948 tests in the DVSA anonymised MOT tests and results dataset.
- What are the most common MOT failures for the Vauxhall Viva?
- The most common reason the Vauxhall Viva fails its MOT is tyres — present in 43.1% of failed tests, most often logged as "Malfunctioning or obviously inoperative".
- What are the common problems with the Vauxhall Viva?
- Going by its MOT results, the most common problem areas on the Vauxhall Viva are tyres; windscreen and wipers; lights and electrics.
- What should I check when buying a used Vauxhall Viva?
- Start with the areas it most often fails its MOT on: tyres; windscreen and wipers; lights and electrics; suspension; brakes. Then check the specific car's MOT history by registration for failures, advisories and mileage, and ask the seller for service invoices.
- Does this show the Vauxhall Viva's service history?
- No — this is MOT test data, which covers roadworthiness, not servicing. A service history is a separate record of maintenance work, which a specific car only has if its owner has kept it. See the Vauxhall service history guide for how to check and keep one.