2003 · 21 years old at test · Petrol mostly

2003 Vauxhall Corsa MOT pass rate and common faults

7,099 MOT tests in 2024. 49.6% passed first time, compared with 57.3% for all cars the same age.

87Well below average
Passed first time49.6%
Failed or needed repairs50.4%
Typical mileage at test78,000

Most common reasons for failing

Share of all 7,099 tests where this item caused a failure.

  1. Joints: constant velocity boot split or insecure, no longer prevents the ingress of dirt9.2%
  2. Rbt (sp): efficiency below requirements6.3%
  3. Coil spring: fractured or broken6.3%
  4. Exhaust system: has a major leak of exhaust gases4.6%
  5. Suspension arms - ball joint: ball joint excessively worn4.5%
  6. Headlamp aim: projected beam image is obviously incorrect4.3%
  7. Track rod end: ball joint has excessive play4.1%
  8. Position lamp: not working3.9%
  9. Wipers: does not clear the windscreen effectively3.3%
  10. Rigid brake pipes: excessively corroded3.2%

Problem areas

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

  1. Brakes31.3%
  2. Lights & electrics31.1%
  3. Suspension27.4%
  4. Body & chassis18.4%
  5. Visibility (wipers, screen, mirrors)11.8%
  6. Emissions & leaks10.2%
  7. Tyres8.4%
  8. Steering7.4%

Most common advisories

Not failures yet, but things the tester warned about.

  1. Engine oil leaks: leaking excessively from engine22.2%
  2. Tread depth below requirements of 1.6mm16.8%
  3. Tyres - condition: has a tear, caused by separation or partial failure of its structure16.1%
  4. Rigid brake pipes: excessively corroded15.2%
  5. Non-component advisories: Play in steering rack inner joint(s)12.8%

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 2003 Vauxhall Corsa?

In 2024, 49.6% of 2003 Vauxhall Corsa cars passed their MOT first time, across 7,099 tests. The average for all 21-year-old cars was 57.3%.

What are the most common MOT failures on a 2003 Vauxhall Corsa?

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

Is the 2003 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).