Vauxhall Corsa SE Premium Reliability: Common Problems and Years to Avoid
What the Vauxhall Corsa SE Premium fails its MOT on, with rough repair costs, and how each model year's MOT pass rate compares with other cars of the same age. Based on 13,229 MOT tests across 2 model years (DVSA data for tests carried out in 2024, retests included).
Segment: city car | Fuel: Petrol
90%
Vauxhall Corsa SE Premium pass rate
84%
Vauxhall average
82%
All-model average
The Vauxhall Corsa SE Premium has an average MOT pass rate of 90%, which is 6 points above the Vauxhall average and 8 points above the average across all models in our data.
Check Your Vauxhall Corsa SE Premium's MOT History
Enter your reg plate to see the specific issues found on your car, plus a health score and running cost estimate.
What the Vauxhall Corsa SE Premium Fails Its MOT On
Of the 1,145 MOT tests on the Vauxhall Corsa SE Premium that failed at the first attempt in 2025, the share that failed on each part of the test, next to the share for all cars and vans of the same ages. A test that failed on two areas counts in both.
Windscreen, wipers and mirrors
51%Cars and vans the same age: 23% (the Corsa SE Premium fails on this more often) · Typical repair £10-£350
Tyres
25%Cars and vans the same age: 37% (the Corsa SE Premium fails on this less often) · Typical repair £50-£300
Brakes
17%Cars and vans the same age: 17% · Typical repair £80-£450
Lights and electrics
14%Cars and vans the same age: 22% (the Corsa SE Premium fails on this less often) · Typical repair £15-£200
Exhaust, emissions and leaks
4.5%Cars and vans the same age: 5.5% · Typical repair £80-£800
The 3 single faults it failed on most
- Wipers: does not clear the windscreen effectively (45% of failed tests, windscreen, wipers and mirrors)
- Tyre has a cut deep enough to reach the ply or cords (10% of failed tests, tyres)
- Brake pads: less than 1.5 mm thick (8.3% of failed tests, brakes)
Source: CarCostCheck analysis of DVSA anonymised MOT test results and failure items for 2025: first attempt at each MOT, fail and pass-after-repair defects, DVSA's defect categories (names shortened). Repair costs are rough UK ranges, not quotes. Method and national figures: MOT failure reasons 2025.
Buying a Vauxhall Corsa SE Premium? Check it first
See that car's own MOT history and mileage free, then check it for outstanding finance, an insurance write-off and a stolen record before you pay.
History check £4.99, one-off. No subscription.
Vauxhall Corsa SE Premium Years to Avoid
Every car in the 2024 MOT data was tested at the same age as the other cars first registered that year, so each Corsa SE Premium year is compared with all cars from the same year. Years with 1,000+ tests that were at least three years old are included.
Failed more often than cars their age
- 2020: 89% passed, against 92% for all 2020 cars (3 points lower, 8,343 tests)
Passed more often than cars their age
No year passed 3 or more points more often than other cars of the same age.
A lower pass rate means that year failed its MOT more often in 2024; it does not mean every car from that year is bad. Old cars still on the road are often the best-kept ones, which can lift the pass rates of the oldest years. How a car has been looked after matters more, so check the MOT history of the car you are looking at.
Vauxhall Corsa SE Premium Reliability by Year
MOT pass rate for each model year, from DVSA data for tests carried out in 2024 (retests included). Newer cars usually pass more often simply because they are younger. All Cars is the pass rate of every car first registered that year, with the gap in points. Highest and lowest are marked among years with 100+ tests that were at least three years old when tested. Fuel and engine size are a guide only.
Vauxhall Corsa SE Premium Running Costs
Want to know the full annual running costs for the Vauxhall Corsa SE Premium? Including fuel, road tax, the MOT and predicted repairs based on MOT pass rates, plus an estimated insurance group.
View Vauxhall Corsa SE Premium Running CostsCar history check for £4.99
Finance, stolen and write-off checks
Outstanding finance with the lender's details, stolen, write-off and keeper changes. One payment, no subscription.
Comparing checks first? See the cheapest car check in the UK and the best car check providers compared.
Vauxhall Corsa SE Premium FAQ
What are the most common Vauxhall Corsa SE Premium problems?
In 2025, MOT tests on the Vauxhall Corsa SE Premium that failed at the first attempt most often failed on windscreen, wipers and mirrors (51% of the 1,145 failed tests), tyres (25%) and brakes (17%). The single most common fault was "Wipers: does not clear the windscreen effectively" (45%). Across 13,229 MOT tests (DVSA MOT data for tests in 2024, retests included), 90% ended in a pass.
Is the Vauxhall Corsa SE Premium reliable?
The Vauxhall Corsa SE Premium has an average MOT pass rate of 90%, from 13,229 MOT tests (DVSA MOT data for tests in 2024, retests included). Comparing each model year with all cars first registered the same year, so that age is allowed for, it passed within 2 points of other cars of the same age, so about average for its age.
Which Vauxhall Corsa SE Premium years should I avoid?
Compared with all cars first registered the same year (DVSA MOT data for tests in 2024, retests included), the 2020 (89% of 8,343 tests passed, against 92% for all 2020 cars) failed their MOT most often for their age. A year's pass rate does not tell you about one car, so check the MOT history of the car you are buying.
How much does it cost to fix common Vauxhall Corsa SE Premium faults?
As a rough guide, brake work on a Vauxhall Corsa SE Premium typically costs £80-£450 and suspension repairs £150-£600, while exhaust and emissions fixes can cost £80-£800. Lighting and wiper fixes are usually under £200.
Check a Specific Vauxhall Corsa SE Premium
Enter any reg plate to see the exact MOT history, defects found, health score, and running cost estimate for that specific car.
Related model: Vauxhall Corsa SE reliability and common problems
Other Vauxhall Models
Common problems pages for other Vauxhall models