Used car guide

2016 Vauxhall Viva: common problems and what to check

What gets flagged at MOT on 2016 Vauxhall Vivas, from 13,772 tests in 2025, plus known faults and what to look at before you buy one.

13,772MOT tests in 2025
75%pass first time (all 2016 cars: 75%)
4,800typical miles a year
5.5×the usual rate for exhaust system

What stands out

Parts flagged at MOT more often on 2016 Vauxhall Vivas than on all cars registered in 2016.

  • Exhaust system5.5× usual
    Vauxhall Viva
    10.9% All 2016 cars
    2%

    Failed outright at MOT: 1.7%, against 0.5% of all 2016 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.

  • Tyre pressure monitoring system7.7× usual
    Vauxhall Viva
    9.2% All 2016 cars
    1.2%

    Failed outright at MOT: 9.2%, against 1.2% of all 2016 cars. The rest were advisories or minor defects.

    Rough price £70–£150 our estimate

    At the viewing: Check the tread on all four tyres, including the inside edges. Uneven wear can point to tracking or suspension problems.

  • Wipers2× usual
    Vauxhall Viva
    5% All 2016 cars
    2.5%

    Failed outright at MOT: 3.3%, against 1.6% of all 2016 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.

  • Engine oil leaks1.9× usual
    Vauxhall Viva
    5.3% All 2016 cars
    2.8%

    Failed outright at MOT: 0.1%, against 0.1% of all 2016 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.

  • Link ball joint covers3.6× usual
    Vauxhall Viva
    2.5% All 2016 cars
    0.7%

    Failed outright at MOT: 1.7%, against 0.4% of all 2016 cars. The rest were advisories or minor defects.

    Rough price £60–£150 (one joint) ClickMechanic

    At the viewing: Listen for knocking over bumps and check the rubber boots behind the wheels aren't split.

Better than most

Brake discs: 5.4% here, against 12.3% of all 2016 cars. Coil springs: 1.2% here, against 4.1% of all 2016 cars.

By area

The share of 2016 Vauxhall Viva MOT tests where testers flagged each area, as a fail or an advisory. Rough prices are typical independent-garage costs.

  • Tyres
    34% 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.

  • Suspension
    17% 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.

  • Brakes
    13% 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.

  • Lights and electrics
    11% of testsRough price £10–£80

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

  • Exhaust and emissions
    11% of testsRough price £100–£1,200

    At the viewing: Look for black soot in the tailpipe, listen for blowing from the exhaust and check for engine or DPF warning lights.

  • Wipers, windscreen and mirrors
    8% of testsRough price £15–£250

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

Looking at a Vauxhall Viva?

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Other years

YearMOT testsMost flagged
20194,074Tyres 29%
20185,461Tyres 31%
20179,694Tyres 31%
20155,117Tyres 37%

Where this comes from: the DVSA's anonymised results for every MOT test in Great Britain in 2025, counting tests of 2016 Vauxhall Vivas registered in 2016. "Flagged" includes advisories, so it isn't the same as a fail rate. How we score