(2014–15 registrations)
presentation
at test
failure item
Nearly 248,000 used Corsas were sold in the UK in 2025. It is a cheap, plentiful first car, and its MOT record reflects exactly that: high mileage on poor roads, deferred maintenance, and one failure item that stands well clear of the rest. Read the advisory history carefully on these — it is where the real story sits.
Figures are derived from the DVSA anonymised MOT tests and results dataset, published under the Open Government Licence v3.0. Every MOT records the test outcome plus each defect as a coded “reason for rejection” or advisory.
Percentages are share of tests, not share of failures — so “2.6% tyre tread” means 2.6 in every 100 tests failed for that item. A single test can record several defects, so the columns do not sum to 100%.
Top MOT failure items
These are the defects that actually caused a Vauxhall Corsa (2015) to fail its MOT, ranked by how often they appear across all tests.
Most common MOT advisories
Advisories are the early-warning layer. They don’t fail the car, but they tell you what the next owner will be paying for — and they are the single most useful thing to read before you buy.
| Advisory item | Share of tests | What it means |
|---|---|---|
| Corrosion to brake pipes or underbody | 15.7% | The Corsa’s biggest long-term weakness. |
| Brake pads wearing thin | 13.1% | Budget £110–£220 per axle. |
| Coil spring corroded | 11.4% | Directly precedes the No.1 failure item. |
| Tyre worn close to legal limit | 10.9% | Cheap to replace on 15–16in wheels. |
| Suspension bush deteriorated | 8.8% | Rear beam bushes are common. |
| Steering gaiter split or perished | 7.6% | Cheap now, steering rack later if ignored. |
| Exhaust corroded but not leaking | 5.3% | Rear silencers rot early on these. |
| Engine oil leak (not excessive) | 4.7% | Often the rocker cover gasket. |
| Brake disc lipped or scored | 4.2% | Usually replaced with pads. |
| Wiper blade deteriorated | 3.8% | Trivial fix, easy MOT failure. |
Which system fails most
Grouping every recorded defect by vehicle system shows where the money goes on a ten-year-old Corsa.
Across 1,196,303 MOT tests on all Vauxhall Corsa variants, the pass rate is 70.9% — around average for its class. Median mileage at test is 47,210 miles and the average repair bill after a failure is about £114. Roughly 25.9% of failures are serious enough to strand the driver, and 18.6% are safety items affecting drivability.
Age matters more than usual here: 2014 cars pass at 69.3%, while 2021 cars pass at 89.8%.
Model averages describe the model. Enter the registration to see this car’s real MOT history, every recorded advisory, its mileage timeline and any finance, theft or write-off markers.
Timing chain rattle on the 1.2 and 1.4 petrol
The Corsa D and early Corsa E petrol engines are known for timing chain wear. It is not a guaranteed failure, but it is the one noise you should actively listen for — and it costs far more than anything on the MOT failure list.
- A rattle on cold start or under light throttle is the classic symptom. It comes from a stretched chain and worn plastic guide rails.
- Once the guides wear, the tensioner cannot hold pressure and the chain slaps against the casing.
- Ignored, it can jump timing and cause valve-to-piston contact — an engine-out repair.
- Indicative chain, guides and tensioner: £600–£1,100.
- Quiet from stone cold is the test. A warm engine hides the noise, so insist on a cold start.
- Regular oil changes protect the chain; long-interval or missed services are the main accelerant.
- Full service history with consistent intervals is worth paying extra for on this model.
- Ask directly whether the chain has already been replaced — many have.
Known faults the MOT won’t catch
The MOT tests roadworthiness, not mechanical health. These are the expensive items owners actually report — costs are indicative UK independent-specialist ranges, not quotes.
Pre-purchase checklist
Work through this in order. The first few cost nothing and rule out most bad cars.
- Start it from stone cold and listen for timing chain rattle. Non-negotiable.
- Get underneath it. Corrosion to brake pipes and the underbody is the top advisory on this model.
- Check the springs. Broken coil springs are the No.1 failure item — look for a collapsed corner or uneven ride height.
- Read the MOT history for repeated corrosion advisories — they escalate to failures.
- Confirm service intervals. Long or missed oil changes are what kill the chain.
- Test the steering for intermittent heaviness or warning lights.
- Check clutch bite point and look for fluid loss at the pedal.
- Budget for wear items — on the advisory data, pads and tyres are usually close.
FAQs
Is a 2015 Vauxhall Corsa reliable?
It is average for its class, passing MOT at 70.9%. Mechanically it is simple and cheap to fix, but corrosion and suspension wear are common, and the petrol timing chain is a genuine risk worth checking on every car you view.
What fails a Vauxhall Corsa MOT most often?
Fractured or weakened coil springs, at 3.9% of all tests — noticeably higher than the next item. Split steering gaiters and worn suspension bushes follow.
Does the Corsa have timing chain problems?
The 1.2 and 1.4 petrol engines in the Corsa D and early Corsa E are known for chain stretch and worn guide rails. A rattle on cold start is the warning sign. Not every car is affected, but you should always check.
Why are broken springs so common on the Corsa?
A combination of soft spring steel, high-mileage urban use and poor road surfaces. They often snap on a pothole with no prior symptom, which is why they show up as failures rather than advisories.
Is the Corsa cheap to maintain?
Yes. The average MOT repair bill is around £114 and parts are among the cheapest on the market. The exception is a timing chain job, which can cost more than a high-mileage car is worth.
A CarCheckReport covers MOT and advisory history, mileage anomalies, outstanding finance, insurance write-off records, stolen markers, import and scrapped status — using DVLA, DVSA and Experian data.