Opel Corsa Reliability, MOT Pass Rate & Common Faults
Free Opel Corsa car check
Is the Opel Corsa reliable? We analysed 19,398 real MOT tests across 2,002 vehicles to find out.
Got a specific Opel Corsa? Enter the reg for a free check:
The Opel Corsa is about average for reliability based on real UK MOT data. Common problems include tyre tread depth below requirements of 1.6mm, windscreen wiper does not clear the windscreen effectively and constant velocity joint gaiter insecurely mounted to its housing. Here's everything you need to know before buying a used Opel Corsa.
Opel Corsa Number Plates
Number plates registered to a Opel Corsa. Click on any registration for full vehicle details — including MOT history, mileage records, previous owners and damage history.
Opel Corsa MOT Pass Rate by Year
How likely is a Opel Corsa to pass its MOT? Here's the pass rate for each registration year, newest first.
Opel Corsa Problems — What Goes Wrong?
The most common reasons a Opel Corsa fails its MOT, ranked by how often they occur. Check for these problems before you buy.
Opel Corsa Mileage — What's Normal?
How many miles does a typical Opel Corsa owner drive per year? Use this to check if a car you're looking at has suspiciously low or high mileage.
Opel Corsa MOT Data by Registration Year
Full breakdown of pass rate and mileage for each year. Use this to compare the Opel Corsa year you're looking at.
| Year | Tests | Pass Rate | Low Mi. | Typical Mi. | High Mi. |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2012 | 95 | 72.6% | 39,559 | 59,925 | 95,974 |
| 2011 | 144 | 73.6% | 36,543 | 64,420 | 98,791 |
| 2010 | 98 | 67.3% | 58,912 | 86,206 | 113,500 |
| 2009 | 292 | 70.2% | 38,692 | 59,062 | 79,784 |
| 2008 | 190 | 64.2% | 44,894 | 75,940 | 109,576 |
| 2007 | 405 | 69.1% | 65,038 | 89,780 | 128,654 |
| 2006 | 287 | 62.4% | 59,725 | 97,098 | 139,052 |
| 2005 | 392 | 61.7% | 50,857 | 74,566 | 111,482 |
| 2004 | 494 | 65.2% | 48,029 | 70,595 | 99,592 |
| 2003 | 1,736 | 66.2% | 39,610 | 63,149 | 90,212 |
| 2002 | 4,533 | 67.3% | 39,254 | 61,280 | 87,272 |
| 2001 | 3,962 | 65.5% | 46,859 | 69,700 | 93,154 |
| 2000 | 2,273 | 64.4% | 46,453 | 66,484 | 89,704 |
| 1999 | 1,202 | 65.6% | 49,799 | 70,886 | 94,290 |
| 1998 | 750 | 65.5% | 47,910 | 75,263 | 108,479 |
| 1997 | 512 | 62.3% | 47,841 | 71,569 | 99,370 |
| 1996 | 496 | 62.9% | 66,583 | 97,454 | 140,650 |
| 1995 | 305 | 59.7% | 65,010 | 104,621 | 130,205 |
| 1994 | 289 | 64.4% | 75,841 | 97,856 | 124,113 |
| 1993 | 233 | 60.5% | 73,634 | 100,613 | 130,427 |
How Long Does a Opel Corsa Last?
Based on 2,002 Opel Corsa vehicles on UK roads.
Opel Corsa Mileage Distribution
Total mileage recorded across all Opel Corsa MOT tests. If the car you're looking at is above the 75th percentile, it's done more miles than most.
Best Year to Buy a Used Opel Corsa
Based on MOT pass rates across all registration years with sufficient test data.
73.6% MOT pass rate from 144 tests
59.7% MOT pass rate from 305 tests
The best year to buy a used Opel Corsa is 2011, which has the highest MOT pass rate at 73.6% across 144 tests. The 1995 model year has the lowest pass rate at 59.7% — if you're looking at one from that year, budget for potential repairs and get a thorough pre-purchase inspection.
How Does the Opel Corsa Compare?
MOT pass rates compared to similar models. Click any model for the full breakdown.
| Model | Pass Rate | Tests | Typical Mileage | Lifespan |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Opel Corsa THIS CAR | 65.8% | 19,398 | 69,011 mi | 33 yrs |
| Opel Zafira | 68.5% | 30,915 | 93,196 mi | 27 yrs |
| Opel Astra | 69.2% | 26,435 | 84,472 mi | 28 yrs |
| Opel Manta | 75.9% | 9,040 | 54,163 mi | 54 yrs |
| Volkswagen Golf SE Bluemotion Tech TDI | 90.5% | 13,501 | 89,376 mi | — yrs |
Compared to the Opel Zafira (68.5% pass rate) and the Opel Astra (69.2% pass rate), the Opel Corsa trails behind on MOT reliability.
Found a Opel Corsa you like?
Run a full vehicle history check on the specific car. See finance, stolen, write-off, mileage and MOT data for that exact vehicle.
Check a specific Opel CorsaShould you buy a used Opel Corsa?
The Opel Corsa has an overall MOT pass rate of 65.8% across 19,398 real MOT tests — roughly in line with the UK average.
The most common problems on the Opel Corsa are tyre tread depth below requirements of 1.6mm (912 recorded failures), windscreen wiper does not clear the windscreen effectively (617), and constant velocity joint gaiter insecurely mounted to its housing (538). These are the faults most likely to cause an MOT failure on this model, so check for them carefully on any test drive or pre-purchase inspection. Many are wear-and-tear items that can be budgeted for, but a car that's already failing on multiple fronts may signal neglected maintenance.
A typical Opel Corsa owner drives around 4,931 miles per year. If the car you're looking at is significantly above this, expect more wear on suspension, brakes and tyres. If it's well below, the vehicle may have been sitting unused — check for perished rubber, corroded discs and stale fluids.
In terms of longevity, most Opel Corsa models stay on UK roads for around 33 years — a strong showing that suggests solid build quality and readily available parts. If you're buying one that's already approaching that window, the data suggests it has plenty of life left provided it's been maintained.
Before committing to a purchase, we recommend running a full vehicle history check on the specific car. This will reveal any outstanding finance, stolen markers, write-off history and mileage discrepancies that the seller may not disclose — and that the MOT data alone can't tell you.