Vauxhall Corsa (2002)

Estimated running costs and MOT pass rates from 9,309 MOT tests in 2024.

Annual Cost

£1,994

£166/month

MOT Pass Rate

68%

Below Avg

Road Tax

£20

Estimated/year

Est. Insurance

Grp 5-15

1199cc Diesel

Proceed With Caution

68% pass rate, £1,994/year to run. 14 points below average.

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Diesel1199cc24 years old9,309 tests83k miles avg

Annual Running Costs

Fuel (Diesel, 1199cc)

~55 mpg

£1,219

Road Tax

Estimated CO2 band

£20

MOT Test

£55

Predicted Repairs

Higher estimate due to low pass rate

£700

Total per year£1,994

Per month£166/mo

Per week£38/wk

Estimates based on 7,400 miles/year (UK average), diesel at 199.33p a litre (GOV.UK weekly average, week of 19 October 2026), GOV.UK road tax rates and repair likelihood from MOT data. Insurance not included.

Reliability Verdict

68% MOT pass rate(Below Avg)

0%All-model avg: 82%100%

Below average reliability. Budget extra for maintenance and repairs. That's 14 points below the average of 82% across all models in our data. It falls below the Vauxhall brand average of 84%.

68% of MOT tests on Vauxhall Corsas from 2002 ended in a pass in 2024, when they were about 22 years old. That's based on 9,309 tests across the UK, retests included. The average mileage recorded at those tests was 82,576 miles.

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How Does It Compare?

Rank among 2002 models304th of 391(bottom 23%)

Rank among Vauxhall models812th of 870(bottom 7%)

vs average of all models-14%(82% avg)

vs 2002 models average-5%(73% avg)

vs Vauxhall average-16%(84% avg)

Mileage Analysis

82,576

Average miles

162,800

Expected for age

The average 2002 Vauxhall Corsa had 82,576 miles on the clock at its 2024 MOT, which is below the expected 162,800 miles for a 22-year-old car. This suggests lighter use than average, which generally means less wear on major components.

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Best Year to Buy?

Of the years with at least 100 tests, the 2021 model has the highest MOT pass rate at 96%, while the 2003 model has the lowest at 67%. The 2002 scores 68%. Newer cars usually pass more often simply because they are younger, so compare years of a similar age.

Vauxhall Corsa by Year

Year	Pass Rate	Tests	Avg Mileage
2021	96%	204	21,555 mi
2020	85%	348	28,514 mi
2019	88%	68,639	32,881 mi
2018	85%	86,266	41,031 mi
2017	82%	90,285	49,026 mi
2016	81%	133,045	56,744 mi
2015	78%	160,438	63,359 mi
2014	76%	141,747	69,331 mi
2013	77%	136,838	75,022 mi
2012	76%	138,265	79,639 mi
2011	75%	111,868	83,401 mi
2010	74%	99,909	85,864 mi
2009	73%	91,541	89,332 mi
2008	73%	84,782	91,750 mi
2007	72%	65,133	92,716 mi
2006	68%	34,523	86,148 mi
2005	68%	23,877	84,722 mi
2004	68%	17,048	83,203 mi
2003	67%	14,521	83,708 mi
2002	68%	9,309	82,576 mi
2001	68%	6,337	80,064 mi
2000	69%	2,465	68,980 mi
1999	89%	7,697	80,319 mi
1998	73%	2,514	71,159 mi
1997	72%	1,694	72,132 mi
1996	74%	831	72,499 mi
1995	72%	537	74,332 mi
1994	77%	395	63,135 mi
1993	88%	187	62,430 mi

Similar Cars to Consider

Ford Fiesta

2004 · 1399cc Diesel

£1,944/year

71%

+3%

Honda Civic

2004 · 1686cc Diesel

£2,227/year

72%

+4%

Vauxhall Astra

2004 · 1598cc Diesel

£1,944/year

71%

+3%

Volkswagen Polo

2002 · 1400cc Diesel

£2,144/year

68%

same

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About the 2002 Vauxhall Corsa

The 2002 Vauxhall Corsa is a city car. Our records list a 1199cc diesel engine, though engines vary between versions. 9,309 MOT tests were recorded on this model in 2024, making it a reasonably common sight on UK roads. It sits in the bottom 23% of 2002 models for MOT pass rate.

With an average of 82,576 miles recorded at its 2024 MOT tests, Vauxhall Corsa owners tend to use this car less than the typical driver.

2002 Vauxhall Corsa Fuel Costs

The modest 1199cc diesel engine keeps fuel costs low, which is a real advantage for a city car. Expect around 55 mpg in mixed driving, which works out to roughly £1,219 per year with diesel at 199.33p per litre (GOV.UK weekly average, week of 19 October 2026; based on 7,400 miles per year). Diesel cars of this age should have their DPF (diesel particulate filter) checked, as replacements can be costly.

What does it cost to own a 2002 Vauxhall Corsa?

Total estimated annual running cost is £1,994 (£166/month), broken down as £1,219 fuel, £20 road tax, £55 MOT, and £700 predicted repairs. The higher repair estimate reflects the 68% MOT pass rate. Cars in this bracket tend to need work on suspension, brakes, and emissions components.

Vauxhall Corsa Reliability Trend

Newer Vauxhall Corsas pass their MOT more often than older ones, by 6 percentage points on average, which is mostly down to age and wear.

Buying a Used 2002 Vauxhall Corsa

At 24 years old, the Vauxhall Corsa is firmly in budget territory. Purchase prices are low, but check for rust, worn suspension bushes, and electrical gremlins. A full service history is especially valuable at this age. If you're flexible on year, the 2021 model has the highest pass rate at 96%. With 9,309 MOT tests in our data, there's strong statistical confidence in these figures.

Common Issues to Watch For

These are typical issues for cars of this age, fuel type and engine size, not faults recorded on this model's MOT tests. Use them as a checklist when you view one.

DPF (Diesel Particulate Filter)

Watch out

Short journeys clog the DPF. Replacement costs £1,000-£2,500. Check the DPF warning light and ask about driving patterns.

Turbo Wear

Watch out

Diesel turbos work harder and wear faster. Listen for whining noises and check for oil leaks around the turbo housing.

EGR Valve

Watch out

Exhaust Gas Recirculation valves clog with carbon deposits, causing rough running and poor economy. Cleaning costs £150-£300, replacement £300-£600.

Rust and Corrosion

Watch out

At 10+ years, check wheel arches, sills, subframe, and brake lines for rust. Structural corrosion is an MOT failure. Prevention is far cheaper than repair.

Suspension Bushings

Watch out

Rubber suspension bushes harden and crack with age, causing knocking noises and vague handling. A full refresh costs £300-£800 depending on the car.

Clutch Wear

Medium risk

With an average of 83k miles, clutch replacement may be due (typical lifespan 60,000-100,000 miles). Budget £400-£800 for a new clutch kit.

Brake Discs and Pads

Medium risk

High-mileage cars often need brake disc replacement, not just pads. A full set of discs and pads costs £200-£500 per axle.

Higher Than Average Failure Rate

Watch out

With a 68% MOT pass rate, this model fails more often than most. Budget for unexpected repairs and get a thorough pre-purchase inspection.

Service History

Low risk

Always request a full service history. Regular servicing is the single best indicator of how well a car has been maintained, regardless of mileage.

Running Costs Compared

How the 2002 Vauxhall Corsa stacks up against similar cars for estimated annual running costs, insurance group, and tax.

Car	Pass Rate	Fuel/yr	Tax/yr	Est. Ins. Group	Total/yr
Vauxhall Corsa(2002)	68%	£1,219	£20	Grp 5-15	£1,994
Ford Fiesta(2004)	71%	£1,219	£170	Grp 8-20	£1,944-£50
Honda Civic(2004)	72%	£1,397	£275	Grp 18-32	£2,227+£233
Vauxhall Astra(2004)	71%	£1,219	£170	Grp 12-25	£1,944-£50
Volkswagen Polo(2002)	68%	£1,219	£170	Grp 8-20	£2,144+£150

Estimates based on 7,400 miles/year, GOV.UK average pump prices for the week of 19 October 2026, GOV.UK road tax rates and MOT data. Insurance groups are our rough estimate from engine size, not official groups. Actual costs vary by driver, location, and usage.

Questions about the 2002 Vauxhall Corsa

Is the 2002 Vauxhall Corsa reliable?

Below average reliability. Budget extra for maintenance and repairs. 68% of MOT tests on 2002 Vauxhall Corsas ended in a pass, from 9,309 tests (DVSA MOT data for tests in 2024, retests included). That's 14 points below the average of 82% across all models in the same data.

How much does a 2002 Vauxhall Corsa cost to run?

Our estimate is £1,994 a year (£166 a month): £1,219 fuel, £20 road tax, £55 MOT and £700 predicted repairs, based on 7,400 miles a year. Insurance is not included.

What is the MOT pass rate for a 2002 Vauxhall Corsa?

68% of 9,309 MOT tests on the 2002 Vauxhall Corsa ended in a pass (DVSA MOT data for tests in 2024, retests included). That ranks it 304th of 391 models first registered in 2002 (bottom 23%).

Which year Vauxhall Corsa has the best MOT pass rate?

Of the years with at least 100 tests, the 2021 Vauxhall Corsa has the highest MOT pass rate at 96% and the 2003 the lowest at 67%. Newer cars usually pass more often simply because they are younger and have done fewer miles.

What is the average mileage for a 2002 Vauxhall Corsa?

The average mileage recorded at MOT tests on the 2002 Vauxhall Corsa is 82,576 miles, which is below the expected 162,800 miles for a 22-year-old car. This suggests lighter use than average, which generally means less wear on major components.