2018 Vauxhall Viva MOT pass rate, common failures & what to check
In 2025, 84.3% of Vauxhall Vivas first used in 2018 passed their MOT first time, against 80.9% for all cars first used in 2018. Across 16,435 Viva first tests from 2023 to 2025, the most common failure areas were tyres, visibility (wipers, washers and windscreen) and lamps and electrical equipment.
This page analyses first MOT tests for Vauxhall Vivas first used in 2018 (all trims grouped): 2021 to 2025 for the pass-rate trend, and 2023 to 2025 for the failure and advisory analysis — plus what is worth checking before you buy one.
Data: DVSA anonymised MOT tests to December 2025 · Calculated by SortedCars · Updated October 2026
How the 2018 Vauxhall Viva MOT pass rate has changed
Share of first tests passed in each year, Vivas first used in 2018 against all cars first used in 2018 (any make or fuel; not adjusted for mileage, fuel or use). In 2025 the Viva figure was 3.4 points higher.
View this chart as a table
| Test year | 2018 Viva | All cars first used 2018 | Viva first tests |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2021 | 90.9% | 87.6% | 5,585 |
| 2022 | 86.2% | 86.3% | 5,561 |
| 2023 | 88.2% | 84.2% | 5,485 |
| 2024 | 86.2% | 82.5% | 5,480 |
| 2025 | 84.3% | 80.9% | 5,470 |
Common 2018 Vauxhall Viva MOT failures
Share of the 2,262 failed first tests (2023–2025) with at least one failure in each area. A test can fail in more than one area, so the shares add up to more than 100%.
Most common failure items
| DVSA failure item | Share of failed first tests | Tests |
|---|---|---|
| Wipers: does not clear the windscreen effectively | 23.3% | 526 |
| Tyre condition: has a tear, caused by separation or partial failure of its structure | 8.8% | 198 |
| Tread depth: below requirements of 1.6mm | 7.4% | 167 |
| Tyre condition: has a cut in excess of the requirements deep enough to reach the ply or cords | 6.9% | 155 |
| Washers: provides insufficient washer liquid | 6.8% | 153 |
Item names are DVSA’s own wording. 2023–2025 combined.
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What to check on a 2018 Vauxhall Viva before buying
The three areas where failed first tests most often had a fault, 2023–2025.
- Tyres. Worth checking the tread depth across the whole width of each tyre, and the sidewalls for cuts, cracks and bulges.
- Wipers and windscreen. Worth checking that the wipers clear the screen cleanly, that the washers work, and that there are no chips or cracks in the driver’s view.
- Lamps and electrics. Ask someone to watch while you work the brake lights, indicators, sidelights, dipped and main beam, and the number-plate lamps.
Common 2018 Vauxhall Viva MOT advisories
Advisories are points the tester noted that did not fail the car. Most common on 2018 Vivas, as a share of all 16,435 first tests, 2023–2025.
| DVSA advisory item | Share of first tests | Tests |
|---|---|---|
| Tyre condition: slightly damaged/cracking or perishing | 19.0% | 3,115 |
| Tread depth: worn close to legal limit/worn on edge | 8.3% | 1,372 |
| Brake pads: wearing thin | 5.2% | 853 |
| Exhaust system: mounting defective | 3.5% | 579 |
| Engine oil leaks: leak, but not excessive | 2.3% | 385 |
Questions about the 2018 Vauxhall Viva MOT
What is the MOT pass rate of a 2018 Vauxhall Viva?
In 2025, 84.3% of Vivas first used in 2018 passed their MOT first time, against 80.9% for all cars first used in 2018. A car fixed during the test counts as a fail.
What does a 2018 Viva most often fail its MOT on?
Tyres (in 36.8% of failed first tests, 2023–2025), visibility (wipers, washers and windscreen) (33.1%) and lamps and electrical equipment (16.0%). The single most common item was “Wipers: does not clear the windscreen effectively” (23.3%).
How often does a 2018 Vauxhall Viva fail its MOT?
In 2025, 15.7% of first tests on Vivas first used in 2018 did not pass first time: 11.8% failed, and a further 3.9% had a fault fixed during the test (counted as a fail here). Across 2023–2025, 2,262 of 16,435 first tests did not pass first time.
What are the most common 2018 Vauxhall Viva MOT advisories?
“Tyre condition: slightly damaged/cracking or perishing” (on 19.0% of first tests, 2023–2025), “Tread depth: worn close to legal limit/worn on edge” (8.3%), “Brake pads: wearing thin” (5.2%), “Exhaust system: mounting defective” (3.5%) and “Engine oil leaks: leak, but not excessive” (2.3%).
Is a 2018 Vauxhall Viva reliable?
An MOT pass rate shows what failed at the test, not how reliable a car is. For this group of cars the first-time pass rate went from 90.9% in 2021 to 84.3% in 2025. For one particular car, its own MOT history matters more than the average.
Other cars first used in 2018
The most-tested cars from the same year. Each page uses the same method.
2018 Ford Fiesta MOT statistics · 2018 Volkswagen Golf MOT statistics · 2018 Vauxhall Corsa MOT statistics · 2018 Ford Focus MOT statistics · 2018 Nissan Qashqai MOT statistics
Checking a specific 2018 Viva?
The numbers above cover every Viva first used in 2018 and tested in Great Britain. Our free check shows the actual MOT history, mileage record and tax status of the one you are looking at.
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