Vauxhall Corsa (2004)

Estimated running costs and MOT pass rates from 17,048 MOT tests in 2024.

Annual Cost

£1,950

£163/month

MOT Pass Rate

68%

Below Avg

Road Tax

£20

Estimated/year

Est. Insurance

Grp 1-8

998cc Petrol

Proceed With Caution

68% pass rate, £1,950/year to run. 14 points below average.

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Petrol998cc22 years old17,048 tests83k miles avg

Annual Running Costs

Fuel (Petrol, 998cc)

~50 mpg

£1,175

Road Tax

Estimated CO2 band

£20

MOT Test

£55

Predicted Repairs

Higher estimate due to low pass rate

£700

Total per year£1,950

Per month£163/mo

Per week£38/wk

Estimates based on 7,400 miles/year (UK average), petrol at 174.57p 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 2004 ended in a pass in 2024, when they were about 20 years old. That's based on 17,048 tests across the UK, retests included. The average mileage recorded at those tests was 83,203 miles.

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How Does It Compare?

Rank among 2004 models356th of 470(bottom 25%)

Rank among Vauxhall models808th of 870(bottom 8%)

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

vs 2004 models average-4%(72% avg)

vs Vauxhall average-16%(84% avg)

Mileage Analysis

83,203

Average miles

148,000

Expected for age

The average 2004 Vauxhall Corsa had 83,203 miles on the clock at its 2024 MOT, which is below the expected 148,000 miles for a 20-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 2004 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

Honda Jazz

2006 · 1339cc Petrol

£2,153/year

71%

+3%

Nissan Micra

2006 · 1386cc Petrol

£2,153/year

74%

+6%

Ford Fiesta

2003 · 1388cc Petrol

£2,153/year

71%

+3%

Toyota Yaris

2005 · 1299cc Petrol

£2,153/year

73%

+5%

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About the 2004 Vauxhall Corsa

The 2004 Vauxhall Corsa is a city car. Our records list a 998cc petrol engine, though engines vary between versions. 17,048 MOT tests were recorded on this model in 2024, making it one of the most commonly tested models on UK roads. It sits in the bottom 25% of 2004 models for MOT pass rate.

With an average of 83,203 miles recorded at its 2024 MOT tests, Vauxhall Corsa owners tend to use this car less than the typical driver.

2004 Vauxhall Corsa Fuel Costs

The modest 998cc petrol engine keeps fuel costs low, which is a real advantage for a city car. Expect around 50 mpg in mixed driving, which works out to roughly £1,175 per year with petrol at 174.57p per litre (GOV.UK weekly average, week of 19 October 2026; based on 7,400 miles per year).

What does it cost to own a 2004 Vauxhall Corsa?

Total estimated annual running cost is £1,950 (£163/month), broken down as £1,175 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 2004 Vauxhall Corsa

At 22 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 17,048 MOT tests in our data, there's strong statistical confidence in these figures.

What the 2004 Vauxhall Corsa Fails Its MOT On

Share of the 3,193 MOT tests on the 2004 Vauxhall Corsa that failed at the first attempt in 2025, next to all cars and vans of the same age.

Lights and electrics47%
Same age: 50%
Suspension39%
Same age: 39%
Brakes33%
Same age: 30%
Body, chassis and structure29%
Same age: 21% (fails on this more often)

DVSA anonymised MOT data for 2025; a test that failed on two areas counts in both. How we count it · Vauxhall Corsa reliability, common problems and years to avoid

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.

Coil Pack Failure

Medium risk

Smaller petrol engines are prone to ignition coil failures, causing misfires and rough running. Replacement is £50-£150 per coil.

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 2004 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(2004)	68%	£1,175	£20	Grp 1-8	£1,950
Honda Jazz(2006)	71%	£1,398	£200	Grp 8-20	£2,153+£203
Nissan Micra(2006)	74%	£1,398	£200	Grp 8-20	£2,153+£203
Ford Fiesta(2003)	71%	£1,398	£200	Grp 8-20	£2,153+£203
Toyota Yaris(2005)	73%	£1,398	£200	Grp 8-20	£2,153+£203

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 2004 Vauxhall Corsa

Is the 2004 Vauxhall Corsa reliable?

Below average reliability. Budget extra for maintenance and repairs. 68% of MOT tests on 2004 Vauxhall Corsas ended in a pass, from 17,048 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 2004 Vauxhall Corsa cost to run?

Our estimate is £1,950 a year (£163 a month): £1,175 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 2004 Vauxhall Corsa?

68% of 17,048 MOT tests on the 2004 Vauxhall Corsa ended in a pass (DVSA MOT data for tests in 2024, retests included). That ranks it 356th of 470 models first registered in 2004 (bottom 25%).

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 2004 Vauxhall Corsa?

The average mileage recorded at MOT tests on the 2004 Vauxhall Corsa is 83,203 miles, which is below the expected 148,000 miles for a 20-year-old car. This suggests lighter use than average, which generally means less wear on major components.