Used Vauxhall Viva for sale nearCowes

CarGurus expert rating: 3 out of 5
CarGurus user rating: 3.8 out of 5
Percentage of good/great deals available on CarGurus: 32.1%
Overall CarGurus rating:* 3.9 out of 5
Available Listings: Around 140
Average Price: Around £5,000

Vauxhall Viva (2015-2019) Pros and Cons

Pros	Cons
A very affordable used buy	Many rivals are more practical
Easy to drive	So-so warranty offering
Decent equipment	Feels bland compared with many cars in the class

Quick Summary

The Vauxhall Viva (2015-2019) is a five-door city car offering buyers an affordable alternative to larger superminis. With a starting price of £7,995 when new, it competed directly with the Ford Ka+, Hyundai i10, Kia Picanto, Toyota Aygo, Skoda Citigo, and Seat Mii. Despite its diminutive size, the Viva provides room for four adults, numerous storage points, and 60/40 split-folding rear seats as standard. However, the boot is smaller than many rivals, offering 206 litres with rear seats in place and 1,013 litres when folded.

The Viva is easy to drive with light controls, a composed ride, and safe, steady handling, though it lacks excitement. The 1.0-litre naturally aspirated three-cylinder petrol engine produces 74bhp and is quiet and smooth, but requires effort on higher-speed roads. Running costs are low, with official economy figures of 62.8mpg and CO2 emissions of 104g/km. The engine uses a timing chain, reducing maintenance costs, and servicing is required every 20,000 miles or one year. As a used prospect, the Viva represents excellent value for budget-conscious buyers seeking a neat city car with good equipment.

Best for: Budget-conscious buyers, those needing a city car for around-town work and short trips, and drivers seeking an affordable, easy-to-drive compact vehicle.

Not ideal for: Buyers prioritising maximum practicality, those tackling longer drives regularly, or those seeking premium warranty coverage or distinctive styling.


Comparison vs Key Rivals



The Verdict

You should buy the Viva if: You're budget-conscious, need a city car for around-town work and short trips, or seek an affordable, easy-to-drive compact vehicle with decent equipment.

Consider alternatives if: You prioritise maximum practicality, regularly tackle longer drives, or require premium warranty coverage and distinctive styling.

Competitive Position: The Vauxhall Viva (2015-2019) is a sensible choice in the budget city car segment, offering excellent value and ease of use. However, it faces stiff competition from more capable rivals. The Hyundai i10 outperforms it with superior expert and user ratings, whilst the Suzuki Celerio offers more equipment as standard. The Dacia Sandero provides better practicality for longer journeys. As a used purchase, the Viva's affordability makes it worthy of consideration for purely urban driving, but buyers tackling regular longer trips should consider paying a premium for a more capable alternative.

Read our full Vauxhall Viva Review

*The Overall CarGurus rating: that informs these recommendations is based on CarGurus' proprietary market data from September 2026, CarGurus expert reviews, and CarGurus user reviews.