Reliability report
Vauxhall Viva (Karl) reliability and common faults
Based on 5,782 roadworthiness tests, led by the UK MOT. Each country is compared only with its own average for cars of the same age.
🇳🇱 Netherlands · APK
52.2%
with defects · average 43.2%
much worse than average
5,782 APK inspections (RDW)
Testing regimes differ from country to country – don’t compare the figures between countries; compare each one only with its own average. MOT data: contains public sector information licensed under the Open Government Licence v3.0.
Weak spots
What goes wrong on the Vauxhall Viva (Karl)
How often each area fails compared with the average car of the same age (vertical line = average, 100%). Red – more often than average.
Exhaust and emissions
Visibility
Tyres
Seat belts and airbags
Lights and electrics
Brakes
Plates and identification
Suspension
Wheels
Steering
Most common test failures
- 1Tyre pressure monitoring system warning indicator is on
- 2Turn signal color incorrect/not allowed
- 3Windscreen wiper system gives insufficient visibility
- 4Tyre(s) with tread depth of 1.6 to 2.5 mm
- 5Tyre pressure not at correct value
- 6Tyre insufficient tread
- 7Low beam incorrectly adjusted
- 8Number plate light doesn't work (properly) / missing
- 9Tyre damaged
- 10Exhaust system not gas-tight / unsafe exhaust gas discharge
- 11Exhaust system poorly mounted
- 12Low beam / high beam doesn't work (properly)
Results by vehicle age
| Age | 🇬🇧 MOT fail rate | 🇳🇱 APK defects |
|---|---|---|
| 6–8 years | — | 44.3% avg 36.7% |
| 9–11 years | — | 53.8% avg 44.4% |
Vauxhall Viva (Karl) – FAQs
How reliable is the Vauxhall Viva (Karl)?+
In the Netherlands, inspectors found defects at 52.2% of APK inspections (average there 43.2%) – much worse than average.
What goes wrong most often on the Vauxhall Viva (Karl)?+
Compared with the average car of the same age, testers find faults more often in these areas: exhaust and emissions, visibility, tyres.
What should I check when buying a used Vauxhall Viva (Karl)?+
The most common inspection failures: Tyre pressure monitoring system warning indicator is on; Turn signal color incorrect/not allowed; Windscreen wiper system gives insufficient visibility; Tyre(s) with tread depth of 1.6 to 2.5 mm; Tyre pressure not at correct value. Before you buy, also check the free MOT history on GOV.UK and the car’s history by reg or VIN (mileage, damage, theft).
More Vauxhall models
Sources: anonymised MOT test results (DVSA) – contains public sector information licensed under the Open Government Licence v3.0; APK inspection defects (RDW, open data); Lithuanian roadworthiness test results (data.gov.lt). Initial tests only; retests are not counted. Photo: Vauxford, CC BY-SA 4.0, Wikimedia Commons (licence).