Used car guide

2018 Vauxhall Viva: common problems and what to check

What gets flagged at MOT on 2018 Vauxhall Vivas, from 5,461 tests in 2025, plus known faults and what to look at before you buy one.

5,461MOT tests in 2025
84%pass first time (all 2018 cars: 81%)
4,600typical miles a year
1.6×the usual rate for tyre condition

What stands out

Parts flagged at MOT more often on 2018 Vauxhall Vivas than on all cars registered in 2018.

  • Tyre condition1.6× usual
    Vauxhall Viva
    22.5% All 2018 cars
    13.9%

    Failed outright at MOT: 3.7%, against 3.4% of all 2018 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.

  • Exhaust system6.3× usual
    Vauxhall Viva
    6.9% All 2018 cars
    1.1%

    Failed outright at MOT: 1.2%, against 0.2% of all 2018 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.

  • Track rod ends2.1× usual
    Vauxhall Viva
    3.5% All 2018 cars
    1.7%

    Failed outright at MOT: 1%, against 0.8% of all 2018 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 leaks2.1× usual
    Vauxhall Viva
    2.9% All 2018 cars
    1.4%

    Failed outright at MOT: 0.1%, against 0% of all 2018 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.

Better than most

Brake discs: 4.2% here, against 10.8% of all 2018 cars.

By area

The share of 2018 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.

  • Brakes
    10% 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
    10% 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.

  • Exhaust and emissions
    7% 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
    7% of testsRough price £15–£250

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

  • Lights and electrics
    6% of testsRough price £10–£80

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

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Other years

YearMOT testsMost flagged
20194,074Tyres 29%
20179,694Tyres 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 2018 Vauxhall Vivas registered in 2018. "Flagged" includes advisories, so it isn't the same as a fail rate. How we score