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Vauxhall Corsa reliability by build year

Coverage 2001-present4 named generationssuperminiHatchbackPETROL / ELECTRICITY / DIESEL
At a glance

Vauxhall Corsa built around 2018: about average at the MOT

Vauxhall Corsas built around 2018 fail their MOT a little more often than similar cars the same age.

Check a Vauxhall Corsa by number plate

Key figure

23% of MOT tests on Vauxhall Corsas built around 2018 ended in a fail (retests included), against 18% for similar cars the same age.

Most common issue

The most common MOT issue on Vauxhall Corsas built around 2018 involves the tyres.

Before you view it

What to check before viewing

The Vauxhall Corsa's most common MOT issues, turned into things to ask about or look for.

Brake discs

High priority

Ask for the date and mileage of the last disc replacement; visually check for a deep wear lip and rust pitting on each disc.

Tyres

Worth checking

Check tread depth across the full width on all four; uneven wear suggests alignment or suspension issues.

Steering track rods

Worth checking

On a flat surface, rock the steering wheel briefly with the engine off and listen for clunks.

Shock absorbers

Worth checking

Bounce-test each corner; check for oily streaks down the strut bodies.

Vehicle-specific check

Worth checking

Check the car’s number plate on MOT Wise to see its own MOT history and any recalls for its build years.

By build year

How build years differ

Fail rates have been steady over the last three years. Use the build-year guide below to separate newer build years from older ones.

Find your Corsa's generation

Each card below is a different generation. Select your year and we'll highlight the match.

Corsa Mk6 (F)

Mk6 (F) (2020-present)

Poor
DIESELPETROLELECTRICITY

15.6% fail rate, built around 2021 (4 years old)

Fails more often than the average car this age (about 1 in 9 MOTs, 11.4%)

From 32,862 MOT tests at this ageView details →
Corsa Mk5 (E)

Mk5 (E) (2014-2019)

Poor
DIESELPETROLELECTRICITY

22.6% fail rate, built around 2018 (7 years old)

Fails more often than the average car this age (about 1 in 6 MOTs, 16.6%)

From 65,250 MOT tests at this ageView details →
Corsa Mk4 (D)

Mk4 (D) (2006-2013)

Poor
DIESELPETROL

30.6% fail rate, built around 2013 (12 years old)

Fails more often than the average car this age (about 1 in 4 MOTs, 26.3%)

From 41,294 MOT tests at this ageView details →
Corsa Mk3 (C)

Mk3 (C) (2001-2005)

Poor
DIESELPETROL

35.1% fail rate, built around 2004 (21 years old)

Fails more often than the average car this age (about 3 in 10 MOTs, 31.1%)

From 8,747 MOT tests at this ageView details →

Not sure which one you're looking at?

Match your build year to its generation, then see the fail rates for those build years of the Vauxhall Corsa.

See every build year for the Vauxhall Corsa

Side-by-side

Vauxhall Corsa generations compared

Each generation is shown at 7 years old if it has at least 100 MOT tests at that age. If not, or if its cars are too new to be 7, it's shown at another age. We try ages close to 7 first. Newer generations have fewer years of data.

GenerationRatingFail rate
Mk6 (F) (2020-present)
Poor
Poor15.6%built around 2021 (4 years old)from 32,862 MOT tests at this age
Mk5 (E) (2014-2019)
Poor
Poor22.6%built around 2018 (7 years old)from 65,250 MOT tests at this age
Mk4 (D) (2006-2013)
Poor
Poor30.6%built around 2013 (12 years old)from 41,294 MOT tests at this age
Mk3 (C) (2001-2005)
Poor
Poor35.1%built around 2004 (21 years old)from 8,747 MOT tests at this age

Each row is one generation of the Corsa, shown at the age printed under its fail rate. So rows can be different ages. Fail rate is the share of MOT tests that ended in a fail, retests included. A rating is given only when there are enough tests to place the fail rate in one rating band with 95% confidence.

By age

Vauxhall Corsa fail rate by age

This chart combines every Vauxhall Corsa ever sold. It's good for the big picture. For one generation, scroll up to the build-year cards.

Below typicalAbove typicalHigh (28% or more)Highest fail rate
Age / builtFail rateMOT tests
3 yearsbuilt around 2022
43,73313.2%
4 yearsbuilt around 2021
53,66814.8%
5 yearsbuilt around 2020
52,31714.3%
6 yearsbuilt around 2019
67,08518.2%
7 yearsbuilt around 2018
65,25022.6%
8 yearsbuilt around 2017
83,09124.8%
9 yearsbuilt around 2016
107,57326.0%
10 yearsbuilt around 2015
113,93428.5%
11 yearsbuilt around 2014
99,33730.2%
12 yearsbuilt around 2013
97,89230.0%
13 yearsbuilt around 2012
88,68530.7%
14 yearsbuilt around 2011
68,68231.2%
15 yearsbuilt around 2010
63,15832.2%
16 yearsbuilt around 2009
53,73732.4%
17 yearsbuilt around 2008
45,27433.0%
18 yearsbuilt around 2007
29,65133.8%
19 yearsbuilt around 2006
16,50134.5%
20 yearsbuilt around 2005
11,02834.6%
21 yearsbuilt around 2004
8,74735.1%
22 yearsbuilt around 2003
6,34933.7%
23 yearsbuilt around 2002
4,56434.9%
24 yearsbuilt around 2001
2,31933.0%
25+ yearsbuilt 2000 or earlier
3,76328.9%

Fail rate is the share of MOT tests that ended in a fail. Retests count as tests. How we count fail rates Build years are worked out from age, so they are approximate. Tests counted are 2025 MOTs. Highest fail rate at 21 years old.

Where it ranks

Where the Vauxhall Corsa stacks up

Three ways to compare the same cars, built around 2018 (7 years old). The fail rate is the share of MOT tests that ended in a fail. Retests count as tests, and 1st has the lowest fail rate. Only models with at least 500 MOT tests at this age are ranked. How we count fail rates

Against other Vauxhall models

8th of 10

8th lowest fail rate of 10 Vauxhall models with enough MOT tests to rank, at this age.

In the highest third

Against other hatchbacks

71st of 84

71st lowest fail rate of 84 hatchbacks with enough MOT tests to rank, at this age.

In the highest third

Against the UK average

22.6%

The share of this model's MOT tests at this age that ended in a fail.

Fails more often than the average car this age (about 1 in 6 MOTs, 16.6%)

All generations of this model

What goes wrong most often on 7-year-old Vauxhall Corsas

These issues come from 7-year-old Vauxhall Corsas, every generation combined.

All generations of this modelPlenty of data

Most common advisories and fails

In order of the share of MOT tests that recorded each one

  1. 1
    Advisory

    Tyre slightly damaged, cracking or perishing

    19.7%
    Advisory: 18,438Fail: 1,345 (7% of the times it was found)
  2. 2
    Advisory

    Tyre worn close to the legal limit or worn on the edge

    16.6%
    Advisory: 13,956Fail: 1,249 (8% of the times it was found)
  3. 3
    Minor

    Track rod end dust cover damaged, but still keeps dirt out

    10.4%
    Advisory: 0Fail: 0 (0% of the times it was found)
  4. 4
    Advisory

    Brake disc worn, pitted or scored, but not seriously weakened

    8.5%
    Advisory: 6,768Fail: 129 (2% of the times it was found)
  5. 5
    Advisory

    Shock absorber has a light misting of oil

    8.2%
    Advisory: 5,770Fail: 686 (11% of the times it was found)

Based on 65,250 MOT tests on 7-year-old Vauxhall Corsas, every generation combined.

All generations of this model

Issues that often appear together

The pairs seen most often when an MOT on 7-year-old Vauxhall Corsas notes problems with more than one part of the car.

Issues that often appear together on this model

All generations of this modelPlenty of data
  1. Suspension + Tyres43%
  2. Brakes + Tyres29%
  3. Brakes + Suspension26%
  4. Other + Tyres12%

Both were noted at the same test. That doesn't mean one caused the other.

Across 21,302 MOT tests on Vauxhall Corsa cars built around 2018 (7 years old) where more than one part of the car was noted.

Still registered

How many are still registered, and recalls

How many of these are still registered in the UK, and what's been recalled across the model.

How many are still registered

93%of this model's cars first registered in 2014 to 2015 were still registered 10 years later

UK average for cars first registered in 2014 to 2015: 92% · About typical

The share still registered can reflect demand, the cost of repairs, exports, write-offs and how owners use the car. It isn't proof of how long the car lasts mechanically.

Source: DfT vehicle licensing statistics (VEH0124).

Recall context

59 recalls in all

46 of the 59 Vauxhall Corsa recalls cover cars built in these years.

  • 9 Critical
  • 37 more

Top concerns

  • Vauxhall Corsa d passenger airbag
  • Short circuit may occur
  • Risk of fire

For the exact car, check GOV.UK's recall checker with the number plate.

Like-for-like

Other hatchbacks to compare

Other hatchbacks to compare

  1. 1

    Volkswagen up!

    Same body type, tested at the same age

    Fail rate
    14.2%
    Still registered at 10 years
    96.7%

    Lower fail rate: 14.2%, against 22.6% for the Vauxhall Corsa, both built around 2018.

    Some figures could not be compared for these two cars. So this comparison uses the fail rate, share still registered and recalls only.

    15,657 MOT tests on cars built around 2018

  2. 2

    Suzuki Celerio

    Same body type, tested at the same age

    Fail rate
    13.9%
    Fail, no pass in 3 days
    1.5%
    Dangerous
    2.4%
    Still registered at 10 years
    93.5%

    Lower fail rate: 13.9%, against 22.6% for the Vauxhall Corsa, both built around 2018.

    5,662 MOT tests on cars built around 2018

  3. 3

    Toyota Aygo

    Same body type, tested at the same age

    Fail rate
    13%
    Fail, no pass in 3 days
    1.2%
    Dangerous
    4.6%
    Still registered at 10 years
    96%

    Lower fail rate: 13.0%, against 22.6% for the Vauxhall Corsa, both built around 2018.

    25,028 MOT tests on cars built around 2018

  4. 4

    Skoda Citigo

    Same body type, tested at the same age

    Fail rate
    15.3%
    Fail, no pass in 3 days
    1.6%
    Dangerous
    3.1%
    Still registered at 10 years
    96.2%

    Lower fail rate: 15.3%, against 22.6% for the Vauxhall Corsa, both built around 2018.

    6,553 MOT tests on cars built around 2018

Fail rate
= the share of MOT tests that ended in a fail. Retests count as tests.
Fail, no pass in 3 days
= the share of MOT tests that failed and still hadn't passed 3 days later. A fail that passed a retest within 3 days, even the same day, isn't counted.
Dangerous
= the share of MOT tests where the tester marked a fault as dangerous. It is against the law to drive the car until it is fixed.
Still registered at 10 years
= the share of cars still registered (taxed or declared off the road) 10 years after they were first registered.

Common questions

Frequently asked questions

Built around 2018 (7 years old), the Vauxhall Corsa across all generations combined fails MOTs noticeably more often than typical for this age. It has the 8th lowest fail rate of 10 Vauxhall models with enough MOT tests to rank, at this age. This is based on 65,250 7-year-old MOT tests from DVSA data. Each retest counts as a test.

These figures come from DVSA's MOT records. Across every Vauxhall Corsa ever sold: 1,186,338 tests. The main figures are for cars built around 2018 (7 years old): 65,250 tests. They are a guide, not a guarantee. Always inspect the car or have a mechanic check it.