2018 Vauxhall Corsa MOT pass rate, common failures & what to check
In 2025, 72.9% of Vauxhall Corsas first used in 2018 passed their MOT first time, against 80.9% for all cars first used in 2018. Across 158,968 Corsa first tests from 2023 to 2025, the most common failure areas were visibility (wipers, washers and windscreen), suspension and tyres.
This page analyses first MOT tests for Vauxhall Corsas first used in 2018 (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 2018 Vauxhall Corsa MOT pass rate has changed
Share of first tests passed in each year, Corsas first used in 2018 against all cars first used in 2018 (any make or fuel; not adjusted for mileage, fuel or use). In 2025 the Corsa figure was 8.0 points lower.
View this chart as a table
| Test year | 2018 Corsa | All cars first used 2018 | Corsa first tests |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2021 | 83.9% | 87.6% | 54,295 |
| 2022 | 79.5% | 86.3% | 53,375 |
| 2023 | 79.3% | 84.2% | 53,162 |
| 2024 | 78.1% | 82.5% | 52,989 |
| 2025 | 72.9% | 80.9% | 52,817 |
Common 2018 Vauxhall Corsa MOT failures
Share of the 36,913 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 |
|---|---|---|
| Coil spring: fractured or broken | 16.3% | 6,008 |
| Wipers: does not clear the windscreen effectively | 12.8% | 4,738 |
| Track rod end: ball joint dust cover excessively damaged or deteriorated so that it no longer prevents the ingress of dirt | 10.6% | 3,915 |
| Tread depth: below requirements of 1.6mm | 7.8% | 2,873 |
| Brake pads: less than 1.5 mm thick | 6.4% | 2,355 |
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 2018 Vauxhall Corsa before buying
The three areas where failed first tests most often had a fault, 2023–2025.
- Wipers and windscreen. Worth checking that the wipers clear the screen cleanly, that the washers work, and that there are no chips or cracks in the driver’s view.
- Suspension. Worth looking behind the front wheels with a torch at the coil springs, and listening for knocks over bumps on the test drive.
- Tyres. Worth checking the tread depth across the whole width of each tyre, and the sidewalls for cuts, cracks and bulges.
Common 2018 Vauxhall Corsa MOT advisories
Advisories are points the tester noted that did not fail the car. Most common on 2018 Corsas, as a share of all 158,968 first tests, 2023–2025.
| DVSA advisory item | Share of first tests | Tests |
|---|---|---|
| Tyre condition: slightly damaged/cracking or perishing | 17.4% | 27,705 |
| Tread depth: worn close to legal limit/worn on edge | 13.5% | 21,490 |
| Brake pads: wearing thin | 7.5% | 11,978 |
| Brake discs: worn, pitted or scored, but not seriously weakened | 7.4% | 11,713 |
| Shock absorbers: has light misting of oil | 4.4% | 7,011 |
Questions about the 2018 Vauxhall Corsa MOT
What is the MOT pass rate of a 2018 Vauxhall Corsa?
In 2025, 72.9% of Corsas first used in 2018 passed their MOT first time, against 80.9% for all cars first used in 2018. A car fixed during the test counts as a fail.
What does a 2018 Corsa most often fail its MOT on?
Visibility (wipers, washers and windscreen) (in 24.8% of failed first tests, 2023–2025), suspension (23.6%) and tyres (23.2%). The single most common item was “Coil spring: fractured or broken” (16.3%).
How often does a 2018 Vauxhall Corsa fail its MOT?
In 2025, 27.1% of first tests on Corsas first used in 2018 did not pass first time: 22.6% failed, and a further 4.5% had a fault fixed during the test (counted as a fail here). Across 2023–2025, 36,913 of 158,968 first tests did not pass first time.
What are the most common 2018 Vauxhall Corsa MOT advisories?
“Tyre condition: slightly damaged/cracking or perishing” (on 17.4% of first tests, 2023–2025), “Tread depth: worn close to legal limit/worn on edge” (13.5%), “Brake pads: wearing thin” (7.5%), “Brake discs: worn, pitted or scored, but not seriously weakened” (7.4%) and “Shock absorbers: has light misting of oil” (4.4%).
Is a 2018 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 83.9% in 2021 to 72.9% in 2025. For one particular car, its own MOT history matters more than the average.
Other cars first used in 2018
The most-tested cars from the same year. Each page uses the same method.
2018 Ford Fiesta MOT statistics · 2018 Volkswagen Golf MOT statistics · 2018 Ford Focus MOT statistics · 2018 Nissan Qashqai MOT statistics · 2018 MINI Hatch MOT statistics
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