2016 Vauxhall Viva 1.0L Petrol · YC16 AXG

The 2016 Vauxhall Viva presents a stable and recently improving maintenance trend, culminating in a clean pass on 15 April 2026 at 36,311 miles with zero defects recorded. That clean sheet followed a failed test on the same day, where the tester flagged a TPMS malfunction, a torn offside front tyre with structural separation, a non-functioning offside wiper and washer, and headlamp aim faults on both sides. The fact that all of those defects were rectified within hours suggests the previous owner addressed them promptly rather than ignoring them. Prior to that, the record shows a pattern of minor advisories rather than serious mechanical failures, which points to a vehicle that has been kept in reasonable order without any major structural or safety-critical deterioration. The mileage profile tells a clear story of very light use. Across roughly ten years the car has covered only 36,311 miles, averaging approximately 3,631 miles per year, well below the typical UK annual figure of around 8,000 to 12,000 miles. The progression is steady and believable: 30,976 miles in March 2023, 32,504 in March 2024, 33,653 in March 2025, and 36,311 by April 2026, representing roughly 1,500 to 2,600 miles per year in recent use. There are no suspicious gaps or sudden jumps that would suggest a rolled-back odometer or long periods of disuse, though the low annual mileage does mean the vehicle may have spent extended periods stationary, which can affect rubber components, brakes, and tyres through age-related deterioration rather than wear. A buyer should pay close attention to the front suspension and steering components. In the March 2024 test at 32,504 miles, the tester flagged worn rear bushes on both front lower suspension arms and slight play in the offside track rod end ball joint. These are not catastrophic failures, but they indicate the front end has seen enough use to generate wear in bushes and joints despite the low mileage, likely exacerbated by age hardening of rubber components. A physical inspection should check for play in the track rod ends, condition of the lower arm bushes, and any uneven tyre wear that would confirm lingering alignment or steering geometry issues. Tyre condition has been a recurring theme throughout the record. Cracking and perishing of front tyre sidewalls appeared in 2023, 2024, and 2025, and the April 2026 failure recorded a torn offside front tyre with structural separation. This pattern strongly suggests the vehicle has been fitted with older or deteriorating rubber, possibly due to prolonged standing or replacement with budget tyres that age poorly. A buyer should inspect all four tyres for sidewall cracking, date codes, and tread depth, and budget for a full set of quality replacements if the current tyres are more than five years old. The exhaust mounting was also flagged as defective in 2025, so a visual check of the exhaust system for broken mounts, corrosion, and security is advisable.