Comparison · small hatchbacks

Vauxhall Corsa vs Hyundai i20: which is more reliable?

The Hyundai i20 does better at the MOT, with a score of 100 against 92 for the Vauxhall Corsa, comparing each with cars of the same age. Based on 973,054 real MOT tests in 2024.

Vauxhall Corsa

92Well below average
MOT tests847,664

Hyundai i20

100About average
MOT tests125,390

By age

MOT Rank score for each age group (100 = an average car that age).

Age at testVauxhall CorsaHyundai i20
3–5 years
96Below average
101About average
6–9 years
92Below average
105Above average
10–14 years
90Well below average
96Below average
15+ years
91Well below average
99About average

Year by year

Share that passed first time, same registration year.

YearVauxhall CorsaHyundai i20
202185.3%85.8%
202081.8%89.0%
201981.1%87.8%
201878.2%85.4%
201773.8%83.1%
201670.3%80.7%
201566.4%78.7%
201458.1%69.0%
201359.8%62.0%
201259.4%58.3%
201158.4%59.1%
201055.7%59.3%
200954.4%57.9%

Problem areas

Failure items per 100 tests.

AreaVauxhall CorsaHyundai i20
Lights & electrics20.714.8
Brakes10.212.0
Suspension14.97.1
Visibility (wipers, screen, mirrors)7.27.1
Tyres7.45.7
Emissions & leaks6.32.4
Body & chassis4.81.9
Steering4.91.1

Vauxhall Corsa: top failures

  1. Coil spring: fractured or broken5.3%
  2. Stop lamp: not working3.2%
  3. Track rod end: ball joint dust cover excessively damaged or deteriorated so that it no longer prevents the ingress of dirt2.5%
  4. Malfunction indicator lamp: inoperative or indicates a malfunction2.3%
  5. Tread depth below requirements of 1.6mm2.1%
  6. Shock absorbers: has a serious fluid leak1.7%

Hyundai i20: top failures

  1. Position lamp: not working3.8%
  2. Wipers: does not clear the windscreen effectively2.4%
  3. Suspension arms - ball joint dust cover: ball joint dust cover no longer prevents the ingress of dirt1.8%
  4. Tread depth below requirements of 1.6mm1.5%
  5. Brake pads: less than 1.5 mm thick1.4%
  6. Washers: provides insufficient washer liquid1.3%

Questions

Which is more reliable, the Vauxhall Corsa or the Hyundai i20?

The Hyundai i20 does better at the MOT, with a score of 100 against 92 for the Vauxhall Corsa, comparing each with cars of the same age.

Which years of the Vauxhall Corsa and Hyundai i20 can be compared?

Both were tested for 13 registration years (2009–2021). The Vauxhall Corsa had the higher pass rate in 1 of them and the Hyundai i20 in 12.

What fails most on each?

Vauxhall Corsa: coil spring: fractured or broken; stop lamp: not working. Hyundai i20: position lamp: not working; wipers: does not clear the windscreen effectively.