Vauxhall Corsa Common Car Problems by Generation

At a Glance

The Vauxhall Corsa has 20 identified common problems across 6 generations, with the Corsa C (2000-2006) being the most affected generation and suspension the most common problem category. Based on 18.4M MOT tests from DVSA data.

Problems are patterns in the DVSA data that occur significantly more often on a specific model than the UK average — confirmed at 99% statistical confidence. Read our DVSA MOT data methodology →

Below: generation-by-generation comparison of Vauxhall Corsa common problems, MOT failure types, and pass-rate data drawn from DVSA records. Click any generation to see fuel- and engine-specific fault patterns, mileage-banded repair guidance, and the most common MOT failures testers record.

MOT Tests & Failures by Generation

Vauxhall Corsa generations by MOT tests, failures, and identified problems from DVSA data

Hover over each bar for a full breakdown. Tap any bar to view that generation's problems.

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Showing total MOT tests, failures, and known problems per make. Hover over each bar for a full breakdown.

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Browse Vauxhall Corsa Generations

Select a generation to see its specific problems, MOT failures and advisories

Corsa A / Nova

MOT failure data available

1983–1993534 tests

Most common MOT failure: Suspension component mounting corroded

Corsa B

4 problems

1993–20002.4M tests

Top issue: Handbrake cable fault

Corsa C

13 problems

2000–20066.2M tests

Top issue: Driveshaft fault

Corsa D

11 problems

2006–20147.2M tests

Top issue: Brake performance below minimum

Corsa E

1 problem

2014–20192.2M tests

Top issue: Track rod end worn

Corsa F

MOT failure data available

2019–2025304K tests

Most common MOT failure: Wiper blades deteriorated

Most Common Vauxhall Corsa MOT Failures

Every reason Vauxhall Corsa vehicles fail their MOT, ranked by frequency. Select an individual year to see only that year’s failures, or stay on ‘All time’ for the combined picture across our 20 years of DVSA data. Scroll inside the table for the full list.

View:

#	Failure	Category	% of failures
1	Wiper blades deteriorated	Bodywork	7.00%
2	Suspension joint or bush worn	Suspension	6.43%
3	Coil spring broken or corroded	Suspension	6.21%
4	Tyre tread depth below limit	Tyres & Wheels	6.15%
5	Number plate lamp not working	Electrical	5.61%
6	Stop lamp not working	Electrical	4.51%
7	Windscreen washer not working	Bodywork	4.39%
8	Tyre condition	Tyres & Wheels	4.37%
9	Driveshaft fault	Suspension	4.26%
10	Brake performance below minimum	Brakes	4.24%
11	Exhaust system fault	Exhaust	3.95%
12	Headlamp aim defect	Electrical	3.87%
13	Track rod end worn	Steering	3.38%
14	Front lamp not working	Electrical	2.64%
15	Catalytic converter efficiency low	Exhaust	2.29%
16	Brake hydraulic component worn	Brakes	2.11%
17	Brake pads or linings worn	Brakes	2.10%
18	Shock absorber worn or leaking	Suspension	1.73%
19	Headlamp fault	Electrical	1.57%
20	Spark ignition emissions above threshold	Engine	1.53%
21	Position lamp not working	Electrical	1.33%
22	Rear suspension fault	Suspension	1.32%
23	Suspension mounting corroded	Suspension	1.31%
24	Brake disc or drum worn	Brakes	1.19%
25	Rear lamp not working	Electrical	1.04%
26	Ball joint dust cover split	Suspension	0.99%
27	Indicator fault	Electrical	0.97%
28	Fog lamp not working	Electrical	0.93%
29	Parking brake performance below minimum	Brakes	0.88%
30	Handbrake cable fault	Brakes	0.70%
31	Parking brake condition	Brakes	0.56%
32	Mirror damaged or missing	Bodywork	0.53%
33	Tyre size or type not matched	Tyres & Wheels	0.50%
34	Windscreen damage affecting view	Bodywork	0.49%
35	Battery loose or leaking	Electrical	0.48%
36	Horn not working	Electrical	0.47%
37	Seat belt condition	Bodywork	0.46%
38	Chassis condition	Bodywork	0.45%
39	MacPherson strut worn	Suspension	0.42%
40	Body corrosion or damage	Bodywork	0.40%
41	Front suspension joint worn	Suspension	0.37%
42	Steering rack fault	Steering	0.36%
43	Rigid brake pipe corroded or damaged	Brakes	0.32%
44	Subframe corrosion or damage	Suspension	0.29%
45	Brake pedal fault	Brakes	0.27%
46	Spring mounting corroded	Suspension	0.22%
47	Rear fog lamp not working	Electrical	0.22%
48	Fuel cap damaged or missing	Fuel System	0.21%
49	Steering free play excessive	Steering	0.20%
50	Airbag warning light on	Bodywork	0.19%
51	Tyre pressure monitoring system fault	Tyres & Wheels	0.19%
52	Flexible brake hose damaged	Brakes	0.17%
53	Engine oil leak	Engine	0.17%
54	Compression ignition emissions above threshold	Engine	0.16%
55	Wheel bearing worn	Suspension	0.15%
56	Subframe mounting corroded	Suspension	0.14%
57	Brake lever fault	Brakes	0.14%
58	ABS fault	Brakes	0.14%
59	Front suspension fault	Suspension	0.12%
60	Brake cable, rod, lever or linkage fault	Brakes	0.12%
61	Rear reflector damaged or missing	Electrical	0.10%
62	Steering arm worn	Steering	0.09%
63	Brake pedal movement restricted	Brakes	0.08%
64	Electrical switch fault	Electrical	0.08%
65	Suspension linkage fault	Suspension	0.08%
66	Suspension arm worn or corroded	Suspension	0.07%
67	Handbrake lever fault	Brakes	0.07%
68	Reversing lamp not working	Electrical	0.07%
69	Bumper damaged or insecure	Bodywork	0.07%
70	Drag link end worn	Steering	0.07%
71	Brake fluid leak	Brakes	0.07%
72	Electronic stability control fault	Brakes	0.06%
73	Fuel tank corroded or leaking	Fuel System	0.05%
74	Steering column fault	Steering	0.05%
75	Steering operation fault	Steering	0.05%
76	Tyre valve stem damaged	Tyres & Wheels	0.05%
77	Brake master cylinder or servo mounting fault	Brakes	0.05%
78	Fuel pipe corroded or damaged	Fuel System	0.05%
79	Headlamp levelling device fault	Electrical	0.05%
80	Brake fluid level low or contaminated	Brakes	0.04%
81	Front passenger door fault	Bodywork	0.04%
82	Dashboard warning lamp fault	Electrical	0.04%
83	Vehicle structure corrosion	Bodywork	0.03%
84	Bonnet catch or hinge fault	Bodywork	0.03%
85	Body security fault	Bodywork	0.03%
86	Anti-roll bar worn or corroded	Suspension	0.03%
87	Propshaft fault	Transmission	0.03%
88	Driver door fault	Bodywork	0.03%
89	Passenger seat fault	Bodywork	0.03%
90	Driver seat fault	Bodywork	0.02%
91	CV joint worn	Suspension	0.02%
92	Steering wheel damaged or insecure	Steering	0.02%
93	Electrical wiring fault	Electrical	0.02%
94	Steering coupling worn	Steering	0.02%
95	Brake caliper fault	Brakes	0.02%
96	Brake wheel cylinder fault	Brakes	0.02%
97	Steering lock fault	Steering	0.02%
98	Fuel hose damaged or leaking	Fuel System	0.02%
99	Hydraulic brake cylinder fault	Brakes	0.02%
100	Engine mounting worn or broken	Bodywork	0.02%
101	Steering shaft fault	Steering	0.01%
102	Driver airbag fault	Bodywork	0.01%
103	Suspension unit fault	Suspension	0.01%
104	Brake air or vacuum system fault	Brakes	0.01%
105	Exhaust leak	Exhaust	0.01%
106	Universal joint worn	Steering	<0.01%
107	Brake fluid warning light on	Brakes	<0.01%
108	Exhaust emissions above threshold (non-catalyst)	Exhaust	<0.01%
109	Axle beam corroded or cracked	Suspension	<0.01%
110	Boot lid damaged or insecure	Bodywork	<0.01%
111	Bonded suspension condition	Suspension	<0.01%
112	Speedometer fault	Electrical	<0.01%
113	Load sensing valve fault	Brakes	<0.01%
114	Seat belt pre-tensioner fault	Bodywork	<0.01%
115	Brake servo fault	Brakes	<0.01%
116	Electric power steering fault	Steering	<0.01%
117	King pin or swivel pin worn	Suspension	<0.01%
118	Tie bar or rod worn or corroded	Suspension	<0.01%
119	Trailing arm worn or corroded	Suspension	<0.01%
120	Handbrake mechanism or mounting fault	Brakes	<0.01%
121	Brake fluid reservoir fault	Brakes	<0.01%
122	Undertray damaged or missing	Bodywork	<0.01%
123	Suspension retaining or locking device fault	Suspension	<0.01%
124	Brake linkage mounting fault	Brakes	<0.01%
125	Mirror or camera fault	Bodywork	<0.01%
126	Tailgate damaged or insecure	Bodywork	<0.01%
127	Axle corroded or damaged	Suspension	<0.01%
128	Power steering pipe or hose leaking	Steering	<0.01%
129	Front fog lamp not working	Electrical	<0.01%
130	Brake valve fault	Brakes	<0.01%
131	Daytime running lamp not working	Electrical	<0.01%
132	Power steering pump fault	Steering	<0.01%
133	Window damaged or won't operate	Bodywork	<0.01%
134	Spare wheel fault	Bodywork	<0.01%
135	Vehicle floor corroded	Bodywork	<0.01%
136	Transmission oil leak	Exhaust	<0.01%
137	Power steering ram fault	Steering	<0.01%
138	Passenger airbag fault	Bodywork	<0.01%
139	Dip switch fault	Electrical	<0.01%
140	Additional braking device fault	Brakes	<0.01%
141	Brake pedal linkage fault	Brakes	<0.01%
142	Rear fog lamp warning light fault	Electrical	<0.01%
143	Reversing lamp switch fault	Electrical	<0.01%
144	Steering drive system fault	Steering	<0.01%
145	Exhaust heat shield or sound insulation damaged	Exhaust	<0.01%
146	Semaphore indicator fault	Electrical	<0.01%
147	Towbar fault	Other	<0.01%
148	Hydraulic fluid leak	Exhaust	<0.01%
149	Electronic braking system fault	Brakes	<0.01%
150	Brake pressure or vacuum buildup insufficient	Brakes	<0.01%
151	Brake relay lever fault	Brakes	<0.01%
152	Transmission drive belt fault	Transmission	<0.01%
153	Stub axle worn	Suspension	<0.01%
154	Indicator warning light fault	Electrical	<0.01%
155	Seat belt anchorage fault	Bodywork	<0.01%
156	Radius arm worn or corroded	Suspension	<0.01%
157	Outline marker lamp not working	Electrical	<0.01%
158	Brake master cylinder fault	Brakes	<0.01%
159	Steering intermediate drop arm worn	Steering	<0.01%
160	Suspension rod worn or corroded	Suspension	<0.01%
161	Hand-operated brake valve condition	Brakes	<0.01%
162	Steering box fault	Steering	<0.01%
163	Brake back plate corroded or damaged	Brakes	<0.01%
164	Suspension linkage attachment bracket or mounting corroded	Suspension	<0.01%
165	Main beam warning light fault	Electrical	<0.01%
166	Seat belt or padding damaged	Bodywork	<0.01%
167	Leaf spring broken or corroded	Suspension	<0.01%
168	Suspension coupling worn	Suspension	<0.01%
169	Access panel damaged or insecure	Bodywork	<0.01%
170	Body strengthening plate corroded	Bodywork	<0.01%
171	Wheel hub fault	Tyres & Wheels	<0.01%
172	Headlamp washer not working	Electrical	<0.01%
173	Torsion bar worn or corroded	Suspension	<0.01%
174	Steering lock stop fault	Steering	<0.01%
175	Electronic parking brake fault	Brakes	<0.01%
176	Brake slack adjuster fault	Brakes	<0.01%
177	Torque or reaction arm worn	Suspension	<0.01%
178	Halfshaft fault	Tyres & Wheels	<0.01%
179	Passenger compartment corrosion	Bodywork	<0.01%
180	Brake clevis joint worn	Brakes	<0.01%
181	Speed limiter fault	Other	<0.01%
182	Full power hydraulic brake fault	Brakes	<0.01%
183	Hazard warning light fault	Electrical	<0.01%
184	Loading door damaged or insecure	Bodywork	<0.01%
185	Steering damper fault	Steering	<0.01%
186	Seat belt load limiter fault	Bodywork	<0.01%
187	Air brake cylinder or actuator fault	Brakes	<0.01%
188	Brake stationary pin worn	Brakes	<0.01%
189	Hydraulic suspension accumulator fault	Suspension	<0.01%
190	Steering head bearings worn	Steering	<0.01%
191	Chain drive fault	Transmission	<0.01%
192	Dropside damaged or insecure	Bodywork	<0.01%
193	Suspension air bellows damaged	Suspension	<0.01%
194	Hinged tailboard damaged or insecure	Bodywork	<0.01%
195	Handbrake fails on gradient	Brakes	<0.01%
196	Panhard rod worn or corroded	Suspension	<0.01%
197	Leaf spring eye worn or broken	Suspension	<0.01%
198	Spring saddle corroded	Suspension	<0.01%
199	Air suspension levelling valve fault	Suspension	<0.01%
200	Anchor bracket corroded	Suspension	<0.01%
201	Leaf spring slipper worn	Suspension	<0.01%
202	Passenger hand grip fault	Bodywork	<0.01%
203	Steering linkage fault	Steering	<0.01%
204	Step damaged or insecure	Bodywork	<0.01%

Showing all 204 reasons — scroll inside the table for the full list.

Vauxhall Corsa MOT Failures by Category

Total MOT failure occurrences for the Vauxhall Corsa, grouped by category. Same data as the failures table above — just sliced by category instead of fault title. Hover a slice for the top failures in each category.

18,425,557total items

Suspension4,467,60024.2%Electrical4,425,53724.0%Bodywork2,629,81114.3%Brakes2,472,14513.4%Tyres & Wheels2,073,15611.3%Exhaust1,154,5296.3%Steering793,7954.3%Engine342,8131.9%Fuel System60,2540.3%Transmission5,6130.0%Other3040.0%

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Frequently Asked Questions

What are the most common Vauxhall Corsa problems?

Based on analysis of 18.4M Vauxhall Corsa MOT tests from DVSA data, we have 20 identified common problems across 6 generations. The most frequently flagged issue is "Driveshaft fault". Suspension is the most common problem category.

Which Vauxhall Corsa generation has the most problems?

The Vauxhall Corsa Corsa C (2000-2006) (2000–2006) has the highest number of identified common problems (13). Click the generation card above for the full breakdown.

How is this data calculated?

We analyse anonymised DVSA MOT test records under the Open Government Licence. An issue is classified as a "Common Problem" when it occurs significantly more often on a specific model than the UK average, confirmed at 99% statistical confidence. Read the full methodology page for details.

Can I report a problem with my Vauxhall Corsa?

Yes — use the "Tell Us About Your Problem" form on this page. Your report helps other Vauxhall Corsa owners spot problems early. All submissions are reviewed before being added to the public database.

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Vauxhall Corsa
Common Car Problems by Generation