Used car guide

2017 Vauxhall Viva: common problems and what to check

What gets flagged at MOT on 2017 Vauxhall Vivas, from 9,694 tests in 2025, plus known faults and what to look at before you buy one.

9,694MOT tests in 2025
81%pass first time (all 2017 cars: 78%)
4,800typical miles a year
7.1×the usual rate for exhaust system

What stands out

Parts flagged at MOT more often on 2017 Vauxhall Vivas than on all cars registered in 2017.

  • Exhaust system7.1× usual
    Vauxhall Viva
    10.6% All 2017 cars
    1.5%

    Failed outright at MOT: 1.6%, against 0.4% of all 2017 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.

  • Link ball joint covers8× usual
    Vauxhall Viva
    4% All 2017 cars
    0.5%

    Failed outright at MOT: 2.7%, against 0.3% of all 2017 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.

  • Tyre pressure monitoring system3.9× usual
    Vauxhall Viva
    2.7% All 2017 cars
    0.7%

    Failed outright at MOT: 2.7%, against 0.7% of all 2017 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.

  • Wipers1.8× usual
    Vauxhall Viva
    4.5% All 2017 cars
    2.5%

    Failed outright at MOT: 2.8%, against 1.5% of all 2017 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.

Better than most

Brake discs: 4.1% here, against 11.5% of all 2017 cars.

By area

The share of 2017 Vauxhall Viva MOT tests where testers flagged each area, as a fail or an advisory. Rough prices are typical independent-garage costs.

  • Tyres
    31% 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
    15% 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
    11% 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.

  • 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.

  • Lights and electrics
    8% of testsRough price £10–£80

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

  • 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.

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Other years

YearMOT testsMost flagged
20194,074Tyres 29%
20185,461Tyres 31%
201613,772Tyres 34%
20155,117Tyres 37%

Where this comes from: the DVSA's anonymised results for every MOT test in Great Britain in 2025, counting tests of 2017 Vauxhall Vivas registered in 2017. "Flagged" includes advisories, so it isn't the same as a fail rate. How we score