2001 Vauxhall Corsa MOT pass rate, common failures & what to check
In 2025, 52.6% of Vauxhall Corsas first used in 2001 passed their MOT first time, against 61.1% for all cars first used in 2001. Across 9,785 Corsa first tests from 2023 to 2025, the most common failure areas were lamps and electrical equipment, suspension and body, chassis and structure.
This page analyses first MOT tests for Vauxhall Corsas first used in 2001 (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 2001 Vauxhall Corsa MOT pass rate has changed
Share of first tests passed in each year, Corsas first used in 2001 against all cars first used in 2001 (any make or fuel; not adjusted for mileage, fuel or use). In 2025 the Corsa figure was 8.5 points lower.
View this chart as a table
| Test year | 2001 Corsa | All cars first used 2001 | Corsa first tests |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2021 | 46.0% | 55.6% | 7,401 |
| 2022 | 49.0% | 57.4% | 5,427 |
| 2023 | 49.0% | 58.7% | 4,209 |
| 2024 | 49.9% | 59.4% | 3,195 |
| 2025 | 52.6% | 61.1% | 2,381 |
Common 2001 Vauxhall Corsa MOT failures
Share of the 4,875 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 |
|---|---|---|
| Drive shaft joints: constant velocity boot split or insecure, no longer prevents the ingress of dirt | 15.9% | 773 |
| Coil spring: fractured or broken | 14.1% | 685 |
| Parking brake efficiency (sp): efficiency below requirements | 9.9% | 481 |
| Position lamp: not working | 9.1% | 445 |
| Exhaust system: has a major leak of exhaust gases | 8.9% | 434 |
Item names are DVSA’s own wording. 2023–2025 combined.
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Typical repair costs for common MOT failures
Typical UK garage prices for the job, not for a Corsa in particular, and not a quote.
| Failure item | Typical job | Typical UK price | Usual range |
|---|---|---|---|
| Coil spring: fractured or broken | Coil spring replacement | £248 | £175–£400 |
From published UK repair-cost guides, checked September 2026. Only jobs with a published typical price are shown.
What to check on a 2001 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.
- Suspension. Worth looking behind the front wheels with a torch at the coil springs, and listening for knocks over bumps on the test drive.
- 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.
Common 2001 Vauxhall Corsa MOT advisories
Advisories are points the tester noted that did not fail the car. Most common on 2001 Corsas, as a share of all 9,785 first tests, 2023–2025.
| DVSA advisory item | Share of first tests | Tests |
|---|---|---|
| Engine oil leaks: leak, but not excessive | 24.2% | 2,368 |
| Tyre condition: slightly damaged/cracking or perishing | 15.4% | 1,507 |
| Tread depth: worn close to legal limit/worn on edge | 15.3% | 1,496 |
| Exhaust system: has a minor leak of exhaust gases | 12.1% | 1,180 |
| Rigid brake pipes: corroded, covered in grease or other material | 11.5% | 1,122 |
Questions about the 2001 Vauxhall Corsa MOT
What is the MOT pass rate of a 2001 Vauxhall Corsa?
In 2025, 52.6% of Corsas first used in 2001 passed their MOT first time, against 61.1% for all cars first used in 2001. A car fixed during the test counts as a fail.
What does a 2001 Corsa most often fail its MOT on?
Lamps and electrical equipment (in 45.0% of failed first tests, 2023–2025), suspension (41.9%) and body, chassis and structure (30.7%). The single most common item was “Drive shaft joints: constant velocity boot split or insecure, no longer prevents the ingress of dirt” (15.9%).
How often does a 2001 Vauxhall Corsa fail its MOT?
In 2025, 47.4% of first tests on Corsas first used in 2001 did not pass first time: 39.2% failed, and a further 8.1% had a fault fixed during the test (counted as a fail here). Across 2023–2025, 4,875 of 9,785 first tests did not pass first time.
What are the most common 2001 Vauxhall Corsa MOT advisories?
“Engine oil leaks: leak, but not excessive” (on 24.2% of first tests, 2023–2025), “Tyre condition: slightly damaged/cracking or perishing” (15.4%), “Tread depth: worn close to legal limit/worn on edge” (15.3%), “Exhaust system: has a minor leak of exhaust gases” (12.1%) and “Rigid brake pipes: corroded, covered in grease or other material” (11.5%).
Is a 2001 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 46.0% in 2021 to 52.6% in 2025. For one particular car, its own MOT history matters more than the average.
Other cars first used in 2001
The most-tested cars from the same year. Each page uses the same method.
2001 Volkswagen Golf MOT statistics · 2001 Toyota Yaris MOT statistics · 2001 Volkswagen Transporter MOT statistics · 2001 Ford Focus MOT statistics · 2001 BMW 3 Series MOT statistics
Checking a specific 2001 Corsa?
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