Vauxhall Corsa MOT pass rate
In 2023, the Vauxhall Corsa passed 62.5% of its first MOT tests, from 883,423 tests in Great Britain. That is 8.9 points below the 71.4% average for all cars, taxis and light vans.
Most common Vauxhall Corsa MOT failures
The area that failed most often was lamps, reflectors and electrical equipment, affecting 15.3% of tests. The red line shows the average for all cars.
- Lamps, reflectors and electrical equipment 15.3% vs 11.3%
- Suspension 13.9% vs 8.9%
- Brakes 7.4% vs 6.8%
- Visibility 7.4% vs 4.8%
- Tyres 6.7% vs 6.3%
- Noise, emissions and leaks 5.0% vs 3.1%
- Body, chassis, structure 4.3% vs 3.4%
- Steering 3.5% vs 1.8%
- Coil spring 7.6% vs 2.6%
- Washers 4.5% vs 2.5%
- Headlamp aim 4.3% vs 3.3%
- Stop lamp 4.1% vs 2.2%
- Headlamp 3.8% vs 2.2%
- Tyres: condition 3.5% vs 3.7%
- Track rod end 3.1% vs 1.4%
- Position lamp 2.9% vs 2.8%
Top reasons for failure
| Reason for failure | Share of tests |
|---|---|
| Coil spring: Fractured or broken | 7.5% |
| Stop lamp: Not working | 3.9% |
| Washers: Provides insufficient washer liquid | 2.9% |
| Headlamp: Not working on dipped beam | 2.8% |
| Wipers: Does not clear the windscreen effectively | 2.7% |
| Position lamp: Not working | 2.7% |
| Malfunction indicator lamp: Inoperative or indicates a malfunction | 2.6% |
| Tread depth below requirements of 1.6mm | 2.5% |
| Shock absorbers: Has a serious fluid leak | 2.4% |
| Headlamp aim: Projected beam image is obviously incorrect | 1.8% |
Vauxhall Corsa pass rate by age
The pass rate changes with age: 78.9% for cars aged 3 to 5 years and 51.2% for those aged 15 years or more. Older cars usually fail more often because parts like suspension, brakes and exhausts wear with time and mileage.
- 3 to 5 years 78.9% vs 71.4%
- 6 to 9 years 69.4% vs 71.4%
- 10 to 14 years 57.1% vs 71.4%
- 15 years or more 51.2% vs 71.4%
Pass rate by fuel type
| Fuel | Tests | Pass rate |
|---|---|---|
| Petrol | 804,149 | 62.9% |
| Diesel | 79,233 | 58.2% |
Most common Vauxhall Corsa advisories
Advisories do not fail the test, but they often become failures by the next MOT. These were noted most often:
- Tread depth 17.6%
- Tyres: condition 14.3%
- Brake discs 10.7%
- Engine oil leaks 9.5%
- Shock absorbers 8.2%
- Vehicle 6.2%
- Brake pads 5.9%
- Exhaust system 4.9%
See MOT advisories explained for what to do about them.
How we worked this out
These figures come from DVSA's anonymised MOT testing data for 2023, covering every class 4 MOT test in Great Britain (cars, taxis and light vans). We count normal tests only, not retests. A test counts as a first-time pass if the vehicle passed without any repairs. Tests where defects were fixed at the test centre within an hour (PRS) count as fails, in line with DVSA's own statistics. Failure areas show the share of tests with at least one failure in that area, so the figures add up to more than the fail rate.
Other Vauxhall models
- Vauxhall Astra (65.2%)
- Vauxhall Zafira (61.0%)
- Vauxhall Mokka (74.3%)
- Vauxhall Insignia (68.1%)
- Vauxhall Vivaro (55.2%)
- Vauxhall Meriva (62.4%)
- Vauxhall Combo (58.4%)
Similar popular models
Frequently asked questions
What is the MOT pass rate for the Vauxhall Corsa?
In 2023, 62.5% of Vauxhall Corsa MOT tests were passed first time, from 883,423 tests in Great Britain. The average for all cars, taxis and light vans was 71.4%.
What is the most common MOT failure on the Vauxhall Corsa?
The most common failure area was lamps, reflectors and electrical equipment, which caused 15.3% of tests to fail. Next came suspension (13.9%) and brakes (7.4%).
Is the Vauxhall Corsa reliable at its MOT?
Its first-time pass rate of 62.5% is 8.9 points below the average and ranks 87 of the 100 most-tested models. Age and mileage matter more than the model, so always check the history of the car you are buying.
How do I check a Vauxhall Corsa's MOT history?
Enter its registration in our free MOT history check. You will see every test, the mileage at each test and all failures and advisories.