Vauxhall Corsa: what fails at MOT
1.1 million MOT tests on the Vauxhall Corsa in 2024, counted. 34.5% failed at the first attempt.
The short answer
34.5% of Vauxhall Corsa tests failed at the first attempt. Cars of the same ages averaged 27.9%, so the Corsa does worse than most cars its age.
It fails most often on lights and electrics (9.9% of tests), suspension (8.1% of tests) and wipers, washers and windscreen (4.8% of tests). It fails on wipers, washers and windscreen, exhaust and emissions and steering more often than most cars its age.
By year of registration
Older cars fail more, whatever the model. So each year is shown beside the figure for all cars first used that year.
| First used | Tests | Failed first time | All cars that year | Typical mileage |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2021 | 58,156 | 13.6% | 10.9% | 21,000 14,400 to 30,000 |
| 2020 | 64,551 | 16.9% | 11.5% | 26,600 18,700 to 38,000 |
| 2019 | 58,453 | 17.8% | 13.4% | 30,000 20,800 to 41,000 |
| 2018 | 54,335 | 21.1% | 15.6% | 37,600 26,200 to 51,300 |
| 2017 | 55,399 | 25.1% | 18.2% | 46,100 33,000 to 61,200 |
| 2016 | 80,336 | 28.4% | 21.3% | 53,600 39,700 to 70,000 |
| 2015 | 99,520 | 32.4% | 24.4% | 60,800 45,100 to 78,000 |
| 2014 | 91,117 | 40.3% | 27.7% | 66,300 49,800 to 84,500 |
| 2013 | 90,217 | 39.0% | 30.6% | 72,700 55,300 to 91,700 |
| 2012 | 91,386 | 39.6% | 33.4% | 77,600 59,500 to 96,500 |
| 2011 | 76,639 | 40.9% | 36.1% | 81,400 62,800 to 101,100 |
| 2010 | 67,783 | 44.0% | 38.6% | 84,200 64,300 to 104,300 |
| 2009 | 63,531 | 45.3% | 39.8% | 87,800 68,000 to 108,100 |
| 2008 | 58,636 | 46.0% | 41.5% | 90,100 69,500 to 110,700 |
| 2007 | 44,770 | 46.5% | 41.5% | 91,700 70,700 to 112,500 |
| 2006 | 22,792 | 50.3% | 42.4% | 84,100 63,100 to 105,400 |
| 2005 | 15,756 | 51.3% | 42.2% | 82,300 61,600 to 104,300 |
| 2004 | 11,728 | 50.2% | 42.3% | 80,600 59,400 to 102,900 |
Green is at least three points better than other cars that year, red at least three points worse. Typical mileage is the middle reading at the test, with the range the middle half of cars fell in.
Where it fails
The share of Vauxhall Corsa tests with at least one failure in each part of the MOT, beside what cars of the same ages average.
| Part of the test | Corsa | Cars its age | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Lights and electrics | 9.9% | 7.8% | |
| Suspension | 8.1% | 6.4% | |
| Wipers, washers and windscreen | 4.8% | 3.1% | More than most |
| Brakes | 4.7% | 4.6% | |
| Tyres | 4.5% | 4.3% | |
| Exhaust and emissions | 3.4% | 2.2% | More than most |
| Steering | 3.0% | 1.4% | More than most |
| Body and structure | 2.7% | 2.4% |
The parts that fail most
- Coil spring3.6%
- Headlamp aim2.9%
- Track rod end2.8%
- Washers2.8%
- Tyre2.7%
- Brake light2.7%
- Headlamp2.4%
- Wipers2.0%
- Engine warning light1.9%
- Side light1.8%
Share of tests with a failure on that part.
The most common failures
- Coil spring: fractured or broken3.6%
- Brake light: not working2.6%
- Wipers: does not clear the windscreen effectively1.9%
- Engine warning light: inoperative or indicates a malfunction1.9%
- Washers: provides insufficient washer liquid1.8%
- Headlamp: not working on dipped beam1.8%
- Track rod end: ball joint dust cover excessively damaged or deteriorated so that it no longer prevents the ingress of dirt1.7%
- Side light: not working1.7%
- Tyre tread: below requirements of 1.6mm1.6%
- Shock absorbers: has a serious fluid leak1.6%
What testers warn about
Advisories are things that passed this time but are wearing. They are the best guide to next year's bills.
- Tyre tread: worn close to legal limit/worn on edge12.2%
- Tyre: slightly damaged/cracking or perishing9.2%
- Engine oil: leak, but not excessive6.7%
- Brake discs: worn, pitted or scored, but not seriously weakened6.2%
- Shock absorbers: has light misting of oil4.7%
- Brake pads: wearing thin4.1%
- Suspension pins and bushes: pin or bush worn but not resulting in excessive movement3.3%
- Exhaust system: has a minor leak of exhaust gases3.1%
What these figures can't tell you
An MOT is a safety and emissions test. These figures show how often the model fails that test. They say nothing about engines, gearboxes or electronics that break between tests, and how a car has been looked after matters more than its badge. The car you are looking at has its own MOT record, and that is the one to read.
Ask before you travel
- “Do the wipers and washers work properly, and is the windscreen chipped or cracked?”
- “Has it ever failed on emissions or an exhaust leak, and what was done about it?”
- “Is there any play, knocking or stiffness in the steering?”
- “Do all the lights work, including the number plate lights and brake lights?”
Check a Vauxhall Corsa's own MOT record
Type the registration from the advert. You'll see every test that car has had, what it failed on and what it was warned about, free.
Where this comes from
DVSA anonymised MOT tests and results, 2024, published by the Driver and Vehicle Standards Agency. Contains public sector information licensed under the Open Government Licence v3.0. The counting is Hindsight's own.
First-attempt MOT tests of cars first used 2004 to 2021. A test counts as failed if it failed or only passed after a repair during the test. Retests are left out. Built on 13 November 2026.