2004 · 20 years old at test · Petrol mostly

2004 Vauxhall Corsa MOT pass rate and common faults

8,464 MOT tests in 2024. 49.9% passed first time, compared with 56.4% for all cars the same age.

88Well below average
Passed first time49.9%
Failed or needed repairs50.2%
Typical mileage at test80,000

Most common reasons for failing

Share of all 8,464 tests where this item caused a failure.

  1. Joints: constant velocity boot split or insecure, no longer prevents the ingress of dirt9.3%
  2. Rbt (sp): efficiency below requirements6.9%
  3. Coil spring: fractured or broken5.6%
  4. Suspension arms - ball joint: ball joint excessively worn4.5%
  5. Headlamp aim: projected beam image is obviously incorrect4.4%
  6. Track rod end: ball joint has excessive play4.3%
  7. Exhaust system: has a major leak of exhaust gases4.3%
  8. Position lamp: not working4.2%
  9. Rigid brake pipes: excessively corroded3.8%
  10. Wipers: does not clear the windscreen effectively3.5%

Problem areas

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

  1. Lights & electrics33.8%
  2. Brakes29.4%
  3. Suspension26.6%
  4. Body & chassis18.7%
  5. Visibility (wipers, screen, mirrors)11.8%
  6. Emissions & leaks10.7%
  7. Tyres9.8%
  8. Steering7.3%

Most common advisories

Not failures yet, but things the tester warned about.

  1. Engine oil leaks: leaking excessively from engine21.2%
  2. Tread depth below requirements of 1.6mm16.9%
  3. Rigid brake pipes: excessively corroded15.1%
  4. Tyres - condition: has a tear, caused by separation or partial failure of its structure14.2%
  5. Non-component advisories: Play in steering rack inner joint(s)13.8%

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 2004 Vauxhall Corsa?

In 2024, 49.9% of 2004 Vauxhall Corsa cars passed their MOT first time, across 8,464 tests. The average for all 20-year-old cars was 56.4%.

What are the most common MOT failures on a 2004 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 lights & electrics.

Is the 2004 Vauxhall Corsa reliable at MOT time?

Its MOT Rank score is 88, which is well below average for a car of its age (100 means exactly average).