Used car guide

2019 Vauxhall Viva: common problems and what to check

What gets flagged at MOT on 2019 Vauxhall Vivas, from 4,074 tests in 2025, plus known faults and what to look at before you buy one.

4,074MOT tests in 2025
85%pass first time (all 2019 cars: 84%)
4,400typical miles a year
1.6×the usual rate for tyre condition

What stands out

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

  • Tyre condition1.6× usual
    Vauxhall Viva
    22.3% All 2019 cars
    13.9%

    Failed outright at MOT: 3.3%, against 3.4% of all 2019 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.

  • Track rod ends4.9× usual
    Vauxhall Viva
    5.9% All 2019 cars
    1.2%

    Failed outright at MOT: 1.8%, against 0.5% 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.

  • Exhaust system6.4× usual
    Vauxhall Viva
    4.5% All 2019 cars
    0.7%

    Failed outright at MOT: 0.6%, 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.

  • Wipers2.3× usual
    Vauxhall Viva
    6% All 2019 cars
    2.6%

    Failed outright at MOT: 4.1%, against 1.6% 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.

  • Engine oil leaks4.4× usual
    Vauxhall Viva
    4% All 2019 cars
    0.9%

    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.

Better than most

Tread depth: 8.3% here, against 16.7% of all 2019 cars. Brake discs: 3.3% here, against 9.9% of all 2019 cars.

By area

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
    29% 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
    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.

  • Brakes
    9% 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.

  • 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.

  • 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.

  • Oil and fluid leaks
    5% 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.

Looking at a Vauxhall Viva?

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Other years

YearMOT testsMost flagged
20185,461Tyres 31%
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 2019 Vauxhall Vivas registered in 2019. "Flagged" includes advisories, so it isn't the same as a fail rate. How we score