2002 · 22 years old at test · Petrol mostly

2002 Vauxhall Corsa MOT pass rate and common faults

4,670 MOT tests in 2024. 50.6% passed first time, compared with 58.1% for all cars the same age.

87Well below average
Passed first time50.6%
Failed or needed repairs49.4%
Typical mileage at test77,000

Most common reasons for failing

Share of all 4,670 tests where this item caused a failure.

  1. Joints: constant velocity boot split or insecure, no longer prevents the ingress of dirt9.6%
  2. Coil spring: fractured or broken6.8%
  3. Rbt (sp): efficiency below requirements4.8%
  4. Headlamp aim: projected beam image is obviously incorrect4.6%
  5. Exhaust system: has a major leak of exhaust gases4.1%
  6. Wipers: does not clear the windscreen effectively3.8%
  7. Position lamp: not working3.5%
  8. Track rod end: ball joint has excessive play3.0%
  9. Service brake imbalance: across an axle3.0%
  10. Linkage ball joint dust cover: ball joint dust cover no longer prevents the ingress of dirt3.0%

Problem areas

Failure items found per 100 tests, by part of the car.

  1. Lights & electrics32.3%
  2. Suspension28.7%
  3. Brakes25.9%
  4. Body & chassis18.6%
  5. Visibility (wipers, screen, mirrors)12.0%
  6. Emissions & leaks8.9%
  7. Tyres8.7%
  8. Steering5.6%

Most common advisories

Not failures yet, but things the tester warned about.

  1. Engine oil leaks: leaking excessively from engine25.3%
  2. Tyres - condition: has a tear, caused by separation or partial failure of its structure16.5%
  3. Tread depth below requirements of 1.6mm16.4%
  4. Rigid brake pipes: excessively corroded13.3%
  5. Exhaust system: has a major leak of exhaust gases11.6%

What this means if you are buying one

This model year fails more often than most cars its age, so budget for repairs and check the history carefully. Before buying, check the area that fails most: joints: constant velocity boot split or insecure, no longer prevents the ingress of dirt. Then look up the car's own MOT history on GOV.UK with its number plate, and look for repeat advisories.

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Questions

What is the MOT pass rate for a 2002 Vauxhall Corsa?

In 2024, 50.6% of 2002 Vauxhall Corsa cars passed their MOT first time, across 4,670 tests. The average for all 22-year-old cars was 58.1%.

What are the most common MOT failures on a 2002 Vauxhall Corsa?

The most common failure reasons were joints: constant velocity boot split or insecure, no longer prevents the ingress of dirt; coil spring: fractured or broken; rbt (sp): efficiency below requirements. The biggest problem area was lights & electrics.

Is the 2002 Vauxhall Corsa reliable at MOT time?

Its MOT Rank score is 87, which is well below average for a car of its age (100 means exactly average).