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Small car · 1996–2021 cars

Vauxhall Corsa reliability

The Vauxhall Corsa fails 36.4% of first MOT tests, 28% more MOT fails than the average car its age and mileage, based on 2,899,633 DVSA MOT tests from 2022 to 2024.

Well below averageReliability score 25/100#47 of 63 small cars

Checking a Vauxhall Corsa before you buy?

first-time MOT fail rate (all cars: 28.4%)
36.4%
first-time MOT fail rate (all cars: 28.4%)
fails than cars of the same age and mileage
28% more
fails than cars of the same age and mileage
MOT tests analysed, 2022 to 2024
2,899,633
MOT tests analysed, 2022 to 2024
typical miles a year, from MOT readings
7,100
typical miles a year, from MOT readings

What this means for buyers

The Vauxhall Corsa has a first-time MOT fail rate of 36.4%, against 28.4% for all cars. It has 28% more MOT fails than cars of the same age and mileage, and ranks 47 of 63 small car models. That is a weak record, but it does not rule the Corsa out. A well-checked car can still be a sound buy.

Year matters. Cars from 2007 did best, with 15% more MOT fails than cars of the same age and mileage. Cars from 2019 were weakest, at 60% more. Steering is the weakest area, with 94% more fails than comparable cars. Ask for the MOT history, test the steering on a drive, then check the coil spring, stop lamps, wiper blades and washer fluid.

MOT fail rate by age

How the Vauxhall Corsa ages

Each point is the share of Vauxhall Corsas of that age that failed their MOT first time, against all cars of the same age.

0%15%30%45%60%3691215182124Age at MOT (years)
Vauxhall CorsaAll cars
Vauxhall Corsa first-time MOT fail rate by age
Age at MOT (years)Vauxhall CorsaAll cars
318.2%12.3%
419.1%14.1%
520.8%16.4%
623.9%19.1%
729.3%22.1%
835%25.5%
939.1%28.8%
1040.3%31.8%
1140.8%34.6%
1242.6%37.3%
1344.6%39.5%
1446.2%41.1%
1547.6%42.3%
1648.2%42.9%
1750.2%43.4%
1851.5%43.5%
1951.5%43.4%
2050.9%42.8%
2150.2%41.4%
2249.4%40.6%
2345.1%38.9%
2439.9%37.1%
2539.2%35.8%

By year

The best and worst Vauxhall Corsa years

2007 cars come out best and 2019 cars worst, once age and mileage are taken into account.

Vauxhall Corsa MOT results by year of first registration
First registeredTestsFail rateAgainst same-age carsTypical mileage
2021 Corsa16,79115.4%35% more fails23,921
2020 Corsa75,61316.7%41% more fails25,885
2019 Corsa125,93719.5%60% more fails25,612
2018 Corsa160,87020.7%51% more fails30,253
2017 Corsa160,45322.5%37% more fails38,648
2016 Corsa233,83225.4%32% more fails46,552
2015 Corsa278,27829.9%33% more fails53,817
2014 Corsa245,22439.1%52% more fails60,240
2013 Corsa243,35339.5%36% more fails66,826
2012 Corsa247,43240.1%26% more fails72,228
2011 Corsa206,24341.1%19% more fails76,703
2010 Corsa187,60544.3%21% more fails79,880
2009 Corsa177,39445.3%17% more fails84,179
2008 Corsa168,90846.8%16% more fails87,091
2007 Corsa132,52347.6%15% more fails89,054
2006 Corsa70,19850.6%24% more fails82,706
2005 Corsa49,89451.8%26% more fails80,800
2004 Corsa37,61151.5%26% more fails80,380
2003 Corsa31,51451.5%27% more fails79,509
2002 Corsa20,85750.7%27% more fails78,417
2001 Corsa13,88251%32% more fails76,244
2000 Corsa5,44645.1%27% more fails64,082
1999 Corsa4,80341.1%22% more fails60,918
1998 Corsa3,55838.4%16% more fails65,010
1997 Corsa1,20841.2%25% more fails66,067
199620647.1%46% more fails64,026

Common problems

What fails most on a Vauxhall Corsa

Its weak spot is steering: 94% more fails there than cars of the same age and mileage.

Fail rate by area

  • Lights and electrics15.1%36% above avg
  • Suspension13%44% above avg
  • Windscreen, wipers and mirrors7.2%55% above avg
  • Brakes7.2%12% above avg
  • Tyres6.6%9% above avg
  • Exhaust, emissions and leaks5%67% above avg
  • Body, chassis and structure4.3%30% above avg
  • Steering3.5%94% above avg
  • Seat belts and airbags0.8%9% below avg

Average for cars of the same age and mileage

Top MOT failures

  1. 1

    Coil spring fractured or broken 5.78% of tests

    A broken coil spring can leave the car sitting low or unstable, so it must be replaced before driving.

  2. 2

    Stop lamp not working 3.43% of tests

    A failed stop lamp means drivers behind cannot see when you brake, a safety risk that must be fixed.

  3. 3

    Wiper blade not clearing windscreen 2.63% of tests

    Wipers that do not clear the windscreen reduce visibility in rain, which is a safety risk, so replace them.

  4. 4

    Windscreen washer fluid insufficient 2.52% of tests

    Washers are not supplying enough liquid, so the windscreen cannot be cleared properly, which is a safety issue.

  5. 5

    Dipped beam headlamp not working 2.45% of tests

    A failed dipped beam makes it hard to see and be seen at night, so the lamp needs fixing before driving.

  6. 6

    Position lamp not working 2.35% of tests

    A failed position lamp makes the car harder to see in poor light and is illegal, so it must be repaired.

  7. 7

    Engine warning light inoperative or lit 2.26% of tests

    An engine warning light that is lit or not working can hide faults, so diagnosis is needed before buying.

  8. 8

    Tyre tread below 1.6mm 2.21% of tests

    Tread below 1.6mm is illegal and reduces grip in wet conditions, so the tyre must be replaced.

Most common advisories

Not a fail yet, but worth pricing in: these show up on a Vauxhall Corsa's MOT certificate most often.

  • Tyre worn close to legal limit13.76%
  • Tyre slightly damaged or cracking11.46%
  • Engine oil leak, not excessive8.36%
  • Brake disc pitted or scored7.56%
  • Shock absorber light oil misting5.83%
  • Brake pads wearing thin5.2%

Before you buy

What to check on a used Vauxhall Corsa

  1. 1

    Coil spring fractured or broken

    A broken coil spring can leave the car sitting low or unstable, so it must be replaced before driving.

  2. 2

    Stop lamp not working

    A failed stop lamp means drivers behind cannot see when you brake, a safety risk that must be fixed.

  3. 3

    Wiper blade not clearing windscreen

    Wipers that do not clear the windscreen reduce visibility in rain, which is a safety risk, so replace them.

  4. 4

    Windscreen washer fluid insufficient

    Washers are not supplying enough liquid, so the windscreen cannot be cleared properly, which is a safety issue.

  5. 5

    Every MOT since new

    Look for the faults above coming back year after year: it shows how the car has been looked after.

  6. 6

    The mileage record

    A typical Vauxhall Corsa covers about 7,100 miles a year. A big gap or a drop between MOTs is a warning sign.

  7. 7

    Finance, stolen and write-off

    The records the MOT can't show. A Full Check (£9.99) covers all three before you hand over any money.

Fuel types tested

  • Petrol90.6%
  • Diesel9.2%
  • Electric0.3%
  • LPG0%
  • Hybrid0%
  • Other0%

Most common colours

Black, Silver, White, Blue, Red

Average engine size: 1.3 litres.

Compare

How the Vauxhall Corsa compares with its rivals

Vauxhall Corsa against similar models
ModelFail rateAgainst same-age cars
Honda Jazz25.7%11% fewer MOT fails than the average car its age
MINI Hatch25.6%10% fewer MOT fails than the average car its age
Toyota Yaris28.9%about average for its age
Volkswagen Polo32.8%16% more MOT fails than the average car its age
Ford Fiesta33.9%19% more MOT fails than the average car its age
Vauxhall Corsa36.4%28% more MOT fails than the average car its age
Renault Clio43.1%44% more MOT fails than the average car its age

Every small car ranked in the small car reliability index, or all Vauxhall models.

Questions

Vauxhall Corsa questions, answered

Is the Vauxhall Corsa reliable?

On MOT results, the Vauxhall Corsa is well below average: it fails 36.4% of first MOT tests, 28% more MOT fails than the average car its age and mileage. It ranks 47 of 63 small car models in our index.

What fails most on a Vauxhall Corsa MOT?

The most common MOT failures on the Vauxhall Corsa are coil spring fractured or broken (5.78% of tests), stop lamp not working (3.43% of tests), wiper blade not clearing windscreen (2.63% of tests). By area, lights and electrics fails 15.1% of its tests.

Which Vauxhall Corsa year is the most reliable?

Among years with 1,000+ tests, 2007 cars do best (15% more MOT fails than the average car its age) and 2019 cars do worst (60% more MOT fails than the average car its age).

How many miles does a Vauxhall Corsa do a year?

A typical Vauxhall Corsa covers about 7,100 miles a year, from the mileage recorded at its MOTs. Check the car you're looking at against that with a free mileage check.

How do I check a Vauxhall Corsa before I buy it?

Enter its registration for a free check of its MOT history, mileage, ULEZ status and tax. Before you pay, a Full Check (£9.99) shows outstanding finance, stolen and write-off records.

Source: DVSA anonymised MOT test results, 2022 to 2024, class 4 vehicles aged 3 to 25, normal tests only. How we compare like with like: our methodology.

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