Vauxhall Viva: what fails at MOT
48,000 MOT tests on the Vauxhall Viva in 2024, counted. 17.2% failed at the first attempt.
The short answer
17.2% of Vauxhall Viva tests failed at the first attempt. Cars of the same ages averaged 19.2%, so the Viva is about average for its age.
It fails most often on tyres (5.2% of tests), wipers, washers and windscreen (3.6% of tests) and lights and electrics (2.4% of tests). It fails on tyres and wipers, washers and windscreen more often than most cars its age.
By year of registration
Older cars fail more, whatever the model. So each year is shown beside the figure for all cars first used that year.
| First used | Tests | Failed first time | All cars that year | Typical mileage |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2019 | 5,306 | 13.4% | 13.4% | 21,700 13,100 to 33,000 |
| 2018 | 6,866 | 13.6% | 15.6% | 27,500 17,300 to 39,200 |
| 2017 | 12,402 | 15.7% | 18.2% | 33,300 22,200 to 47,100 |
| 2016 | 17,405 | 19.1% | 21.3% | 38,600 26,100 to 53,900 |
| 2015 | 6,271 | 22.4% | 24.4% | 42,000 27,700 to 58,300 |
Green is at least three points better than other cars that year, red at least three points worse. Typical mileage is the middle reading at the test, with the range the middle half of cars fell in.
Where it fails
The share of Vauxhall Viva tests with at least one failure in each part of the MOT, beside what cars of the same ages average.
| Part of the test | Viva | Cars its age |
|---|---|---|
| Tyres More than most | 5.2% | 3.9% |
| Wipers, washers and windscreen More than most | 3.6% | 2.2% |
| Lights and electrics Less than most | 2.4% | 3.8% |
| Suspension Less than most | 2.2% | 3.0% |
| Brakes Less than most | 1.6% | 2.8% |
| Body and structure | 1.1% | 0.9% |
| Exhaust and emissions | 1.0% | 1.2% |
| Steering | 0.6% | 0.6% |
The parts that fail most
- Wipers2.5%
- Tyre2.4%
- Tyre pressure warning system2.1%
- Washers1.2%
- Tyre tread1.1%
- Exhaust system0.9%
- Brake pads0.9%
- Headlamp aim0.8%
- Engine warning light0.7%
- Linkage ball joint dust cover0.5%
Share of tests with a failure on that part.
The most common failures
- Wipers: does not clear the windscreen effectively2.4%
- Tyre pressure warning system: malfunctioning or obviously inoperative2.1%
- Tyre tread: below requirements of 1.6mm1.0%
- Tyre: has a cut in excess of the requirements deep enough to reach the ply or cords0.9%
- Brake pads: less than 1.5 mm thick0.8%
- Washers: provides insufficient washer liquid0.8%
- Engine warning light: inoperative or indicates a malfunction0.7%
- Tyre: has a tear, caused by separation or partial failure of its structure0.6%
- Tyre: has ply or cords exposed0.6%
- Exhaust system: system insecure0.6%
What testers warn about
Advisories are things that passed this time but are wearing. They are the best guide to next year's bills.
- Tyre: slightly damaged/cracking or perishing12.3%
- Tyre tread: worn close to legal limit/worn on edge8.6%
- Exhaust system: mounting defective4.5%
- Brake pads: wearing thin4.3%
- Suspension pins and bushes: pin or bush worn but not resulting in excessive movement2.7%
- Engine oil: leak, but not excessive2.2%
- Brake discs: worn, pitted or scored, but not seriously weakened1.7%
- Nail in tyre1.5%
What these figures can't tell you
An MOT is a safety and emissions test. These figures show how often the model fails that test. They say nothing about engines, gearboxes or electronics that break between tests, and how a car has been looked after matters more than its badge. The car you are looking at has its own MOT record, and that is the one to read.
Ask before you travel
- “How much tread is left on each tyre, and how old are they?”
- “Do the wipers and washers work properly, and is the windscreen chipped or cracked?”
- “Do all the lights work, including the number plate lights and brake lights?”
- “Have any suspension parts been replaced, such as springs, ball joints or bushes, and can I see the invoice?”
Check a Vauxhall Viva's own MOT record
Looking at a Viva? Type its registration to see every test that car has had, what it failed on and what it was warned about, free.
Where this comes from
DVSA anonymised MOT tests and results, 2024, published by the Driver and Vehicle Standards Agency. Contains public sector information licensed under the Open Government Licence v3.0. The counting is Hindsight's own.
First-attempt MOT tests of cars first used 2004 to 2021. A test counts as failed if it failed or only passed after a repair during the test. Retests are left out. Built on 13 November 2026.