Used Vauxhall Vivaro for sale: everything you need to know

The Vauxhall Vivaro is a popular British-built van that has also made a name for itself as one of the first viable pure electric van models. The sheer number sold means it's also a great choice as a used van.

Alongside the regular diesel-engined models is the new Vauxhall Vivaro-e, which has a beefy 136PS electric motor and a choice of two batteries – the largest of which offers a range of more than 200 miles.

Rivals to the Vauxhall Vivaro include the near identical Renault Trafic, the ever popular Ford Transit Custom and the Volkswagen Transporter. Take a look at a Vauxhall Vivaro for sale on heycar to discover just what’s on offer. 

Should you buy a Vauxhall Vivaro? 

The Vauxhall Vivaro is a mid-size van that competes with the UK’s dominant sector leader, the Ford Transit Custom. Other rivals include the Renault Trafic and Peugeot Expert. While the Peugeot and the Citroen Dispatch are closely related to the Vauxhall, it’s the Vauxhall Vivaro that is most common here in the UK. 

The sheer size of the Vauxhall dealer network and its UK roots (the Vauxhall Vivaro is built at Vauxhall’s Luton plant) undoubtedly help here.

The 2019-on Vauxhall Vivaro is a notably good-looking machine for a van. It is nicely proportioned, with a modern front end and a clean side profile. It’s sportier than some alternatives, and that refreshing feel carries through to the interior, which is grown-up and well-equipped. 

All Vauxhall Vivaros get air conditioning and a touchscreen infotainment system – van drivers have never had it so good – while standard rear parking sensors will make reversing a dream. A Sportive version gets stylish extra body styling features and a useful through-load feature inside, which is ideal for carrying extra-long objects. 

The pure electric Vauxhall Vivaro-e is a standout model in the sector. Some earlier electric vans had pitiful driving ranges of less than 100 miles, but the Vauxhall Vivaro-e can do more than 200 miles between charges. Standard rapid-charge functionality also means it can go from flat to 80 percent capacity in just 45 minutes. 

You can still get diesel Vauxhall Vivaro, though, with the most fuel-efficient version returning almost 43mpg. And there's an automatic gearbox for the ultimate in everyday ease-of-use. 

The Vauxhall Vivaro is offered in a range of gross vehicle weights, from 2.7 tonnes to 3.1 tonnes. Add in two different body lengths (L1 is just under 5.0 metres long and has a 5.3 cubic-metre load bay, L2 is 5.3 metres long and has 6.1 cubic metres of space), plus a vast range of accessories, and it's one of the most practical used vans around.

A Vauxhall Vivaro not for you? We've got 1000s of used vans for sale to suit all budgets and needs.

What's the best used Vauxhall Vivaro model to buy?

All Vauxhall Vivaros are easy to drive in town or out on the motorway. The ride quality can be quite harsh when the van is empty on rough roads, but settles into a comfortable soft rhythm when laden. Each version gets cruise control and hill start assist as standard, while mid-spec models get rear parking sensors, automatic windscreen wipers and auto headlights.

High spec models get lots of car-like tech, which includes a head up display that shows the vehicle's speed on the lower part of the windscreen. Automatic emergency braking is also available, which can avoid a crash or reduce its effects by automatically applying the brakes.

Buyers get the choice of 1.5 and 2.0 turbodiesel engines. The entry-level 120PS 1.5-litre unit is sufficient for light load moving and returns up to 47mpg according to the advertised WLTP figures. Most engines are linked to a six-speed manual as standard, while the range-topping 180PS 2.0-litre engine gets an eight-speed torque converter automatic. The Vivaro-e can cover up to around 200 miles on a single battery charge, so it will suit those working in an urban environment better than users covering large mileages every day.

Used Vauxhall Vivaro fuel economy and performance

Vauxhall offers the Vauxhall Vivaro-e with a choice of battery sizes, both using the same 136PS electric motor and automatic gearbox. The Vauxhall Vivaro diesel has two engines available, a 1.5-litre or 2.0, and both come as standard with a six-speed manual gearbox. There’s an optional automatic transmission for the 2.0 version.

Both Vauxhall Vivaro-e models have a drive mode selector button. ‘Normal’ mode delivers 107PS, ‘Power’ releases the full 136PS, and ‘Eco’ caps output to 80PS, for maximum electric range. 

Vauxhall references the Vivaro’s gross vehicle weight, or GVW, in the model names. The Vauxhall Vivaro 2700 has a GVW of 2660kg, for example. The 2900 is 2830kg and the 3100 is exactly 3100kg. The Vauxhall Vivaro-e 50kWh has a GVW of 3100kg as well. The heavier Vauxhall Vivaro-e 75kWh has a slightly lower GVW of 3025kg. 

The gross vehicle weight is the maximum weight of the vehicle, driver and any passengers, fuel and overall load. 

• Vauxhall Vivaro-e 3100 136PS 50kWh electric: A 136PS electric motor combines with a 50kWh battery to give a 143-mile range. Zero to 62mph takes 13.1 seconds and top speed is capped to 81mph. With a 100kW rapid charger, charging from 0-80 percent takes 30 minutes. 
• Vauxhall Vivaro-e 3100 136PS 75kWh electric: The bigger 75kWh battery extends range to 205 miles. But because the battery is heavier, the 0-62mph time drops to 14.3 seconds. Total power is the same, as is overall pulling power of 260Nm. With a 100kW rapid charger, it takes 45 minutes to charge from 0-80 percent. 
• Vauxhall Vivaro 2900 1.5 Turbo D 100 diesel: The entry-level 1.5-litre Vauxhall Vivaro diesel engine sounds small, but its 100PS is combined with 270Nm of torque: more than the Vauxhall Vivaro-e electric. It can average up to 42.8mpg.
• Vauxhall Vivaro 2700 1.5 Turbo D 120 diesel: The more powerful 1.5-litre ups power to 120PS, and torque improves to 300Nm. It averages up to 42.1mpg.
• Vauxhall Vivaro 3100 2.0 Turbo D 145: The 145hp 2.0-litre turbodiesel is the most muscular diesel engine, with 340Nm of torque. It has the longest service intervals – 30,000 miles instead of 25,000 – and it’s available with an optional automatic gearbox that, interestingly, sees torque rise to 370Nm. It averages an impressive 42.1mpg as a manual, or 38.1mpg as an eight-speed auto. 

What used Vauxhall Vivaro trim levels are available?

The Vauxhall Vivaro range is nice and straightforward, with two key trim levels and a range of models using different engines and different lengths of body. 

• The Vauxhall Vivaro-e Dynamic is the pure electric version of the Vauxhall Vivaro. It’s broadly the same as the regular Dynamic, but includes an onboard 7.4kWh charger so it can use rapid charging facilities. It also gets an electronic parking brake instead of the diesel’s manual handbrake. 
• The Vauxhall Vivaro Dynamic is the work-ready entry-level Vauxhall Vivaro. It’s offered in two different lengths, with three different engines. The standard spec includes air conditioning and touchscreen infotainment with Apple CarPlay and Android Auto connectivity. 
• The Vauxhall Vivaro Sportive is a more stylish version of the Vauxhall Vivaro, with body-colour exterior add-ons, smart wheel trims and, inside, a clever FlexCargo through-load facility. It only comes with a diesel engine. 

Used Vauxhall Vivaro dimensions and load size

The Vauxhall Vivaro’s exterior dimensions are: 

• Length: 4959mm (L2: 5,309mm)
• Width: 1920mm
• Height: 1905mm
• Ground clearance: TBA

The Vauxhall Vivaro’s load space volume is:

• L1: 5.3 cubic metres (maximum load floor length: 2512mm)
• L2: 6.1 cubic metres (maximum load floor length: 2862mm)

Used Vauxhall Vivaro road tax

This generation of Vauxhall Vivaro will see its owner pay £320 per year in road tax for the diesel-powered models. With the Vivaro-e, road tax is free as it has zero emissions.

How much is it to insure a Vauxhall Vivaro? 

Insurance for the Vauxhall Vivaro is competitive with its class rivals. The Vauxhall Vivaro L1 2900 1.5 100 Turbo D starts from group 35, with the 2700 1.5 120 Turbo D moving up to group 37, and the 3100 2.0 145 Turbo D starting from group 40 (choosing an auto transmission nudges it up to group 41). The longer Vauxhall Vivaro L2 generally ranks an insurance group higher, spec for spec. The Vauxhall Vivaro-e 3100 50kWh L1 and L2 are both group 41. The 75kWh L1 is group 43 and the 75kWh L2 is in group 44. 

Read our full Vauxhall Vivaro review