Comparison · small hatchbacks

Vauxhall Corsa vs Renault Clio: which is more reliable?

The Vauxhall Corsa does better at the MOT, with a score of 92 against 83 for the Renault Clio, comparing each with cars of the same age. Based on 1,164,513 real MOT tests in 2024.

Vauxhall Corsa

92Well below average

MOT tests847,664

Renault Clio

83Well below average

MOT tests316,849

By age

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

Age at test	Vauxhall Corsa	Renault Clio
3–5 years	96Below average	95Below average
6–9 years	92Below average	83Well below average
10–14 years	90Well below average	78Well below average
15+ years	91Well below average	83Well below average

Year by year

Share that passed first time, same registration year.

Year	Vauxhall Corsa	Renault Clio
2021	85.3%	87.0%
2020	81.8%	84.2%
2019	81.1%	77.0%
2018	78.2%	74.0%
2017	73.8%	68.7%
2016	70.3%	60.7%
2015	66.4%	57.7%
2014	58.1%	54.7%
2013	59.8%	55.8%
2012	59.4%	47.6%
2011	58.4%	46.6%
2010	55.7%	47.1%
2009	54.4%	48.1%
2008	53.3%	46.7%
2007	52.6%	46.7%
2006	49.5%	46.6%
2005	48.9%	47.7%
2004	49.9%	48.4%
2003	49.6%	49.0%
2002	50.6%	52.5%
2001	50.0%	52.3%
2000	57.3%	51.4%
1999	60.4%	49.8%
1998	60.5%	50.7%
1997	59.6%	51.3%
1996	61.6%	65.4%
1995	61.5%	68.8%
1994	68.3%	71.3%

Problem areas

Failure items per 100 tests.

Area	Vauxhall Corsa	Renault Clio
Lights & electrics	20.7	28.1
Suspension	14.9	23.5
Brakes	10.2	15.9
Tyres	7.4	9.2
Visibility (wipers, screen, mirrors)	7.2	8.5
Steering	4.9	6.5
Body & chassis	4.8	5.9
Emissions & leaks	6.3	3.8

Vauxhall Corsa: top failures

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

Renault Clio: top failures

Suspension arms - ball joint: ball joint excessively worn7.2%
Coil spring: fractured or broken7.1%
Track rod end: ball joint has excessive play4.3%
Position lamp: not working3.5%
Tread depth below requirements of 1.6mm2.7%
Joints: constant velocity boot split or insecure, no longer prevents the ingress of dirt2.6%

Questions

Which is more reliable, the Vauxhall Corsa or the Renault Clio?

The Vauxhall Corsa does better at the MOT, with a score of 92 against 83 for the Renault Clio, comparing each with cars of the same age.

Which years of the Vauxhall Corsa and Renault Clio can be compared?

Both were tested for 28 registration years (1994–2021). The Vauxhall Corsa had the higher pass rate in 21 of them and the Renault Clio in 7.

What fails most on each?

Vauxhall Corsa: coil spring: fractured or broken; stop lamp: not working. Renault Clio: suspension arms - ball joint: ball joint excessively worn; coil spring: fractured or broken.