CarCostCheck

VAUXHALL VIVA (2016)

Running costs, reliability data, and common problems from 21,131 real MOT tests.

Annual Cost

£1,380

£115/month

MOT Pass Rate

87%

Good

Road Tax

£20

Based on CC/year

Insurance

Grp 1-8

999cc Petrol

Solid Option

87% pass rate, £1380/year to run. 5 points above average.

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Petrol999cc10 years old21,131 tests43k miles avg

Annual Running Costs

Fuel (Petrol, 999cc)

~50 mpg

£955
Road Tax

Based on 999cc

£20
MOT Test
£55
Predicted Repairs
£350
Total per year£1,380
Per month£115/mo
Per week£27/wk

Based on 7,400 miles/year (UK average), current fuel prices, and repair likelihood from MOT data. Insurance not included.

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Reliability Verdict

87% MOT pass rate(Good)
0%National avg: 82%100%

Good reliability. Occasional issues but generally solid. That's close to the national average of 82%.

At 10 years old, 87% of VAUXHALL VIVAs from 2016 passed their MOT first time in 2026. That's based on 21,131 tests across the UK. The average mileage at this age is 43,128 miles.

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How Does It Compare?

Rank among 2016 cars321th of 586(top 55%)
Rank among VAUXHALL models407th of 882(top 46%)
vs national average+5%(82% avg)
vs 2016 cars average+2%(85% avg)
vs VAUXHALL average+3%(84% avg)

Mileage Analysis

43,128

Average miles

vs

74,000

Expected for age

The average 2016 VAUXHALL VIVA has 43,128 miles on the clock, which is below the expected 74,000 miles for a 10-year-old car. This suggests lighter use than average, which generally means less wear on major components.

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Best Year to Buy?

The most reliable year is the 2019 model with a 91% MOT pass rate, while the 2015 model has the lowest at 84%. The 2016 sits between the two at 87%.

VAUXHALL VIVA by Year

YearPass RateTestsAvg Mileage
201991%5,98825,142 mi
201890%7,97730,413 mi
201789%14,50637,272 mi
201687%21,13143,128 mi
201584%8,08046,118 mi

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About the 2016 VAUXHALL VIVA

The 2016 VAUXHALL VIVA is a city car with a 999cc petrol engine. 21,131 of these vehicles were MOT tested in 2026, making it one of the most commonly tested cars on UK roads. Among all cars from 2016, the average MOT pass rate is 85%, and this model beats that benchmark.

With an average of 43,128 miles at 10 years old, VAUXHALL VIVA owners tend to use this car less than the typical driver.

2016 VAUXHALL VIVA Fuel Costs

The modest 999cc petrol engine keeps fuel costs low, which is a real advantage for a city car. Expect around 50 mpg in mixed driving, which works out to roughly £955 per year at current petrol prices of 142p per litre (based on 7,400 miles per year).

What does it cost to own a 2016 VAUXHALL VIVA?

Total estimated annual running cost is £1,380 115/month), broken down as £955 fuel, £20 road tax, £55 MOT, and £350 predicted repairs. Repair costs are moderate, reflecting the 87% pass rate. Keeping on top of servicing will help avoid surprises.

VAUXHALL VIVA Reliability Trend

Newer VAUXHALL VIVAs show better MOT pass rates than older ones, with an average improvement of 5 percentage points.

Buying a Used 2016 VAUXHALL VIVA

At 10 years old, the VAUXHALL VIVA is firmly in budget territory. Purchase prices are low, but check for rust, worn suspension bushes, and electrical gremlins. A full service history is especially valuable at this age. If you're flexible on year, the 2019 model has the highest pass rate at 91%. With 21,131 MOT tests in our data, there's strong statistical confidence in these figures.

Common Issues to Watch For

Based on the 2016 VAUXHALL VIVA's fuel type, age, and engine size, these are the most likely problem areas to check.

Coil Pack Failure

Medium risk

Smaller petrol engines are prone to ignition coil failures, causing misfires and rough running. Replacement is £50-£150 per coil.

Rust and Corrosion

Watch out

At 10+ years, check wheel arches, sills, subframe, and brake lines for rust. Structural corrosion is an MOT failure. Prevention is far cheaper than repair.

Suspension Bushings

Watch out

Rubber suspension bushes harden and crack with age, causing knocking noises and vague handling. A full refresh costs £300-£800 depending on the car.

Service History

Low risk

Always request a full service history. Regular servicing is the single best indicator of how well a car has been maintained, regardless of mileage.

Running Costs Compared

How the 2016 VAUXHALL VIVA stacks up against similar cars for annual running costs, insurance, and tax.

CarPass RateFuel/yrTax/yrInsuranceTotal/yr
VAUXHALL VIVA(2016)87%£955£20Grp 1-8£1380
FORD FIESTA(2015)81%£955£30Grp 1-8£1390+£10
VAUXHALL CORSA(2015)78%£1137£30Grp 8-20£1722+£342
NISSAN QASHQAI(2017)86%£955£190Grp 5-15£1550+£170
VOLKSWAGEN POLO(2015)82%£955£30Grp 5-15£1390+£10

Estimates based on 7,400 miles/year, current fuel prices, and MOT data. Insurance groups are indicative. Actual costs vary by driver, location, and usage.

Related Vauxhall Models

Explore other Vauxhall cars or similar models in the same category.

Related Guides

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