Used car guide

2019 Vauxhall Viva: common problems and MOT failures

What MOT testers find on the Vauxhall Viva first registered in 2019: we looked at the 12,066 MOTs these cars had during 2023–2025. Plus known faults and what to look at before you buy one.

12,066MOTs of 2019 cars, done in 2023–2025
86%pass first time (all 2019 cars: 85%)
4,400typical miles a year
2.5×the usual rate for wipers

What goes wrong more than usual on a 2019 Vauxhall Viva?

Parts flagged at MOT more often on the 2019 Vauxhall Viva than on all cars registered in 2019.

  • Wipers2.5× usual
    Vauxhall Viva
    7.8% All 2019 cars
    3.1%

    Failed outright at MOT: 5.2%, against 2% of all 2019 cars. The rest were advisories or minor defects.

    Rough price £15–£60 our estimate

    At the viewing: Test the wipers and washers on every speed.

  • Track rod ends5.6× usual
    Vauxhall Viva
    3.9% All 2019 cars
    0.7%

    Failed outright at MOT: 1.3%, against 0.3% of all 2019 cars. The rest were advisories or minor defects.

    Rough price £50–£150 (one end, plus about £30–£50 if it needs a wheel alignment) ClickMechanic

    At the viewing: On a straight road the steering wheel should sit straight. Listen for knocks when turning, and check the steering feels even.

  • Engine oil leaks5× usual
    Vauxhall Viva
    3% All 2019 cars
    0.6%

    Failed outright at MOT: 0%, against 0% of all 2019 cars. The rest were advisories or minor defects.

    Rough price £80–£600 our estimate

    At the viewing: Look under the engine and where the car is usually parked for fresh oil. Ask whether the leak has been looked at.

  • Exhaust system5.2× usual
    Vauxhall Viva
    2.6% All 2019 cars
    0.5%

    Failed outright at MOT: 0.4%, against 0.1% of all 2019 cars. The rest were advisories or minor defects.

    Rough price £100–£500 (pipe or section) ClickMechanic

    At the viewing: Listen for blowing or rattling from underneath at idle, and look for black soot around joints.

Better than most

Tread depth: 7.6% here, against 16% of all 2019 cars. Brake discs: 2.3% here, against 8.6% of all 2019 cars.

Common 2019 Vauxhall Viva MOT failures and advisories

The share of 2019 Vauxhall Viva MOT tests where testers flagged each area, as a fail or an advisory. Rough prices are typical independent-garage costs.

  • Tyres
    25% of testsRough price £70–£150

    At the viewing: Check the tread on all four tyres, including the inside edges, and look for cracks or bulges.

  • Wipers, windscreen and mirrors
    10% of testsRough price £15–£250

    At the viewing: Check for chips in the driver's view, and test the wipers and washers.

  • Brakes
    7% of testsRough price £150–£350

    At the viewing: Look for a lip on the disc edges and feel for judder or pulling when braking firmly from about 40mph.

  • Suspension
    6% of testsRough price £120–£400

    At the viewing: Listen for knocks over speed bumps, and look behind each front wheel for a snapped coil spring.

  • Lights and electrics
    4% of testsRough price £10–£80

    At the viewing: Ask a friend to check every light, including brake lights and indicators, while you operate them.

  • Oil and fluid leaks
    3% of testsRough price £80–£600

    At the viewing: Look under the engine and on the ground where the car is usually parked for fresh oil or fluid.

Known faults on the 2019 Vauxhall Viva

Reported by owners, mechanics and buying guides for this model and age. Check which engine the car has, as some apply to one engine only.

Questions to ask the seller before buying a 2019 Vauxhall Viva

Ask before you travel to see it. A seller who knows the car will have answers, and receipts.

  1. Does it use oil between services?
  2. Any recent work on the wipers? (Flagged at MOT 2.5× as often on the 2019 Vauxhall Viva as on other cars the same age.)
  3. Any recent work on the track rod ends? (Flagged at MOT 5.6× as often on the 2019 Vauxhall Viva as on other cars the same age.)
  4. Any recent work on the engine oil leaks? (Flagged at MOT 5× as often on the 2019 Vauxhall Viva as on other cars the same age.)
  5. Can I see the service history and receipts for any big jobs?

Looking at a Vauxhall Viva?

Check the actual car: its own MOT history, mileage and what to ask the seller. Free, no sign-up.

Other years

Every year of the Vauxhall Viva compared

YearMOT testsMost flagged
201816,159Tyres 30%
201728,833Tyres 30%
201641,096Tyres 31%
201515,240Tyres 33%
1979–Too few tests
1978–Too few tests
1977–Too few tests
1976–Too few tests
1975–Too few tests
1974–Too few tests
1973–Too few tests
1972–Too few tests
1971–Too few tests
1970–Too few tests
1969–Too few tests
1968–Too few tests
1967–Too few tests
1966–Too few tests
1965–Too few tests
1964–Too few tests
1963–Too few tests

Where this comes from: the DVSA's anonymised results for every MOT test done in Great Britain during 2023–2025, counting the MOTs of Vauxhall Viva cars first registered in 2019. "Flagged" includes advisories, so it isn't the same as a fail rate. How we score