VAUXHALL VIVA (2018)
Running costs, reliability data, and common problems from 7,977 real MOT tests.
Annual Cost
£1,405
£117/month
MOT Pass Rate
90%
Excellent
Road Tax
£195
Flat rate/year
Insurance
Grp 1-8
999cc Petrol
Great Choice
90% pass rate, £1405/year to run. 8 points above average.
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Annual Running Costs
~50 mpg
Flat rate (post-2017)
Low estimate due to excellent reliability
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
Excellent reliability. Very few MOT failures. That's 8 points above the national average of 82%. It also outperforms the VAUXHALL brand average of 84%.
At 8 years old, 90% of VAUXHALL VIVAs from 2018 passed their MOT first time in 2026. That's based on 7,977 tests across the UK. The average mileage at this age is 30,413 miles.
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Mileage Analysis
30,413
Average miles
59,200
Expected for age
The average 2018 VAUXHALL VIVA has 30,413 miles on the clock, which is below the expected 59,200 miles for a 8-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 2018 sits between the two at 90%.
VAUXHALL VIVA by Year
Similar Cars to Consider
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About the 2018 VAUXHALL VIVA
The 2018 VAUXHALL VIVA is a city car with a 999cc petrol engine. 7,977 of these vehicles were MOT tested in 2026, making it a reasonably common sight on UK roads. Among all cars from 2018, the average MOT pass rate is 89%, and this model beats that benchmark.
With an average of 30,413 miles at 8 years old, VAUXHALL VIVA owners tend to use this car less than the typical driver.
2018 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 2018 VAUXHALL VIVA?
Total estimated annual running cost is £1,405 (£117/month), broken down as £955 fuel, £195 road tax, £55 MOT, and £200 predicted repairs. The low repair estimate reflects the excellent 90% pass rate. These cars rarely fail their MOT, so unexpected bills are less likely.
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 2018 VAUXHALL VIVA
At 8 years old, this is a solid used buy if you find one with good service history. Depreciation has levelled off, so you won't lose much more value. Focus on condition over mileage. If you're flexible on year, the 2019 model has the highest pass rate at 91%. With 7,977 MOT tests in our data, there's strong statistical confidence in these figures.
Common Issues to Watch For
Based on the 2018 VAUXHALL VIVA's fuel type, age, and engine size, these are the most likely problem areas to check.
Coil Pack Failure
Medium riskSmaller petrol engines are prone to ignition coil failures, causing misfires and rough running. Replacement is £50-£150 per coil.
Suspension Wear
Medium riskShock absorbers, springs, and anti-roll bar links typically need attention around this age. Listen for clunks over bumps and check for uneven tyre wear.
Service History
Low riskAlways 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 2018 VAUXHALL VIVA stacks up against similar cars for annual running costs, insurance, and tax.
| Car | Pass Rate | Fuel/yr | Tax/yr | Insurance | Total/yr |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| VAUXHALL VIVA(2018) | 90% | £955 | £195 | Grp 1-8 | £1405 |
| FORD FIESTA(2016) | 81% | £955 | £30 | Grp 1-8 | £1390-£15 |
| VAUXHALL CORSA(2016) | 81% | £1137 | £30 | Grp 8-20 | £1572+£167 |
| NISSAN QASHQAI(2017) | 86% | £955 | £190 | Grp 5-15 | £1550+£145 |
| VAUXHALL ASTRA(2016) | 85% | £955 | £30 | Grp 1-8 | £1390-£15 |
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.
VAUXHALL CORSA
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VAUXHALL ASTRA
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VAUXHALL MOKKA
2015 · 1364cc Petrol
FORD FIESTA
2016 · 998cc Petrol
VAUXHALL CORSA
2016 · 1398cc Petrol
NISSAN QASHQAI
2017 · 1200cc Petrol
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