1998 Vauxhall Corsa · 3,558 MOT tests
1998 Vauxhall Corsa reliability
1998 Vauxhall Corsas fail 38.4% of first MOT tests, 16% more MOT fails than the average car its age and mileage, ranking 3 of 25 Corsa years (3,558 DVSA tests, 2022 to 2024).
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- first-time fail rate (all Vauxhall Corsas: 36.4%)
- 38.4%
- first-time fail rate (all Vauxhall Corsas: 36.4%)
- fails than cars of the same age and mileage
- 16% more
- fails than cars of the same age and mileage
- typical miles at its MOT, aged about 25
- 65,010
- typical miles at its MOT, aged about 25
- MOT tests, 2022 to 2024
- 3,558
- MOT tests, 2022 to 2024
Year on year
1998 against the years either side
- 1997 cars: 25% more MOT fails than the average car its age (the 1998 car does better)
- 1999 cars: 22% more MOT fails than the average car its age (the 1998 car does better)
- Weak spot: number plates and vin, 1.2% of tests fail here (71% above cars of the same age and mileage).
- Strong point: brakes, 29% fewer fails than comparable cars.
Common problems
What fails on a 1998 Vauxhall Corsa
Fail rate by area
- Lights and electrics18%
- Suspension13.4%
- Windscreen, wipers and mirrors10.5%
- Body, chassis and structure10.1%
- Exhaust, emissions and leaks7.7%
- Brakes7.3%
- Tyres5.1%
Average for cars of the same age and mileage
Top failures
Suspension mounting area seriously corroded 5.96%
Corrosion near suspension mountings can seriously weaken the body structure, so an expert inspection is needed.
Wiper blade not clearing windscreen 3.99%
Wipers that do not clear the windscreen reduce visibility in rain, which is a safety risk, so replace them.
Position lamp not working 3.77%
A failed position lamp makes the car harder to see in poor light and is illegal, so it must be repaired.
Exhaust has major gas leak 3.37%
A major exhaust leak can let poisonous gas into the car and is illegal, so it must be repaired before driving.
Stop lamp not working 2.98%
A failed stop lamp means drivers behind cannot see when you brake, a safety risk that must be fixed.
Registration plate lamp not working 2.53%
A dark number plate lamp makes the plate hard to read at night, which is illegal and must be fixed.
Common advisories
Engine oil leak, not excessive (16.98%) · Tyre slightly damaged or cracking (11.35%) · Number plate lettering deteriorating (9.98%) · Coil spring showing some corrosion (9.22%) · Tyre worn close to legal limit (8.49%) · Suspension mounting area showing corrosion (8.29%)
Other years
Every Vauxhall Corsa year
The full picture: Vauxhall Corsa reliability. Before you pay for any Vauxhall Corsa, a Full Check (£9.99) shows finance, stolen and write-off records the MOT can't.
Source: DVSA anonymised MOT results, 2022 to 2024, class 4 normal tests.
Is a 1998 Vauxhall Corsa reliable?
1998 Vauxhall Corsas fail 38.4% of first MOT tests, 16% more MOT fails than the average car its age and mileage, ranking 3 of 25 Corsa years (3,558 DVSA tests, 2022 to 2024).
What fails on a 1998 Vauxhall Corsa MOT?
Most often suspension mounting area seriously corroded (5.96% of tests), wiper blade not clearing windscreen (3.99% of tests), position lamp not working (3.77% of tests).
How many miles should a 1998 Vauxhall Corsa have done?
At its MOT aged about 25, a typical 1998 Vauxhall Corsa shows 65,010 miles. Much higher or lower is worth asking about.
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