1999 Vauxhall Corsa MOT pass rate, common failures & what to check
In 2025, 59.0% of Vauxhall Corsas first used in 1999 passed their MOT first time, against 64.6% for all cars first used in 1999. Across 3,037 Corsa first tests from 2023 to 2025, the most common failure areas were lamps and electrical equipment, body, chassis and structure and suspension.
This page analyses first MOT tests for Vauxhall Corsas first used in 1999 (all trims grouped): 2021 to 2025 for the pass-rate trend, and 2023 to 2025 for the failure and advisory analysis — plus what is worth checking before you buy one.
Data: DVSA anonymised MOT tests to December 2025 · Calculated by SortedCars · Updated October 2026
How the 1999 Vauxhall Corsa MOT pass rate has changed
Share of first tests passed in each year, Corsas first used in 1999 against all cars first used in 1999 (any make or fuel; not adjusted for mileage, fuel or use). In 2025 the Corsa figure was 5.6 points lower.
View this chart as a table
| Test year | 1999 Corsa | All cars first used 1999 | Corsa first tests |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2021 | 56.2% | 58.5% | 2,067 |
| 2022 | 56.8% | 60.7% | 1,605 |
| 2023 | 56.9% | 62.5% | 1,274 |
| 2024 | 60.1% | 63.2% | 992 |
| 2025 | 59.0% | 64.6% | 771 |
Common 1999 Vauxhall Corsa MOT failures
Share of the 1,261 failed first tests (2023–2025) with at least one failure in each area. A test can fail in more than one area, so the shares add up to more than 100%.
Most common failure items
| DVSA failure item | Share of failed first tests | Tests |
|---|---|---|
| Component mounting prescribed areas: prescribed area excessively corroded significantly reducing structural strength | 14.4% | 182 |
| Drive shaft joints: constant velocity boot split or insecure, no longer prevents the ingress of dirt | 12.3% | 155 |
| Position lamp: not working | 10.0% | 126 |
| Registration plate lamp(s): inoperative in the case of a single lamp or all lamps | 9.7% | 122 |
| Exhaust system: has a major leak of exhaust gases | 9.4% | 119 |
Item names are DVSA’s own wording. 2023–2025 combined.
Enter the car's registration to run the check.
Free · opens our free car check — no sign-in needed.
What to check on a 1999 Vauxhall Corsa before buying
The three areas where failed first tests most often had a fault, 2023–2025.
- Lamps and electrics. Ask someone to watch while you work the brake lights, indicators, sidelights, dipped and main beam, and the number-plate lamps.
- Body and underside. Worth looking underneath with a torch at the sills, floor and mountings for corrosion, and at the rubber boots on the drive shafts for splits.
- Suspension. Worth looking behind the front wheels with a torch at the coil springs, and listening for knocks over bumps on the test drive.
Common 1999 Vauxhall Corsa MOT advisories
Advisories are points the tester noted that did not fail the car. Most common on 1999 Corsas, as a share of all 3,037 first tests, 2023–2025.
| DVSA advisory item | Share of first tests | Tests |
|---|---|---|
| Tyre condition: slightly damaged/cracking or perishing | 13.9% | 421 |
| Engine oil leaks: leak, but not excessive | 12.6% | 382 |
| Component mounting prescribed areas: prescribed area is corroded but not considered excessive | 12.3% | 373 |
| Exhaust system: has a minor leak of exhaust gases | 12.0% | 365 |
| Tread depth: worn close to legal limit/worn on edge | 11.9% | 360 |
Questions about the 1999 Vauxhall Corsa MOT
What is the MOT pass rate of a 1999 Vauxhall Corsa?
In 2025, 59.0% of Corsas first used in 1999 passed their MOT first time, against 64.6% for all cars first used in 1999. A car fixed during the test counts as a fail.
What does a 1999 Corsa most often fail its MOT on?
Lamps and electrical equipment (in 45.0% of failed first tests, 2023–2025), body, chassis and structure (32.4%) and suspension (31.8%). The single most common item was “Component mounting prescribed areas: prescribed area excessively corroded significantly reducing structural strength” (14.4%).
How often does a 1999 Vauxhall Corsa fail its MOT?
In 2025, 41.0% of first tests on Corsas first used in 1999 did not pass first time: 34.1% failed, and a further 6.9% had a fault fixed during the test (counted as a fail here). Across 2023–2025, 1,261 of 3,037 first tests did not pass first time.
What are the most common 1999 Vauxhall Corsa MOT advisories?
“Tyre condition: slightly damaged/cracking or perishing” (on 13.9% of first tests, 2023–2025), “Engine oil leaks: leak, but not excessive” (12.6%), “Component mounting prescribed areas: prescribed area is corroded but not considered excessive” (12.3%), “Exhaust system: has a minor leak of exhaust gases” (12.0%) and “Tread depth: worn close to legal limit/worn on edge” (11.9%).
Is a 1999 Vauxhall Corsa reliable?
An MOT pass rate shows what failed at the test, not how reliable a car is. For this group of cars the first-time pass rate went from 56.2% in 2021 to 59.0% in 2025. For one particular car, its own MOT history matters more than the average.
Other cars first used in 1999
The most-tested cars from the same year. Each page uses the same method.
1999 Volkswagen Transporter MOT statistics · 1999 Land Rover Defender MOT statistics · 1999 BMW Z3 MOT statistics · 1999 BMW 3 Series MOT statistics · 1999 Volkswagen Golf MOT statistics
Checking a specific 1999 Corsa?
The numbers above cover every Corsa first used in 1999 and tested in Great Britain. Our free check shows the actual MOT history, mileage record and tax status of the one you are looking at.
Enter the car's registration to run the check.
Free · no sign-in needed.