1995 Vauxhall Corsa — MOT failures & pass rate
1,177 MOT tests on the 1995 Vauxhall Corsa are in this dataset, and 75.8% of them passed. That is 3.7 percentage points better than superminis of a similar age, which fail at 27.9%. Failures cluster in lighting & signalling, suspension and visibility.
What the MOT record shows
No single area dominates — lighting & signalling (13.0%) and suspension (10.7%) are close, so failures are spread across several systems rather than one weak point.
At component level the recurring items are component mounting prescribed areas, washers and catalyst emissions — component mounting prescribed areas alone was recorded 161 times.
Condition tracks the odometer closely. Failures run at 12.0% in the 0-30k band and 32.3% in the 120-150k band, a 20.2-point spread — more than double.
Advisories point at the next bill rather than this one: suspension was flagged on 33.1% of tests without failing them.
The trend is improving — the fail rate fell from 22.8% in 2021 to 21.1% in 2025, as the worst-kept examples leave the fleet.
How it compares
Top failure categories
| # | Category | % of tests affected | Tests |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Lighting & signalling | 13.0% | 153 |
| 2 | Suspension | 10.7% | 126 |
| 3 | Visibility | 8.4% | 99 |
| 4 | Body, structure & corrosion | 8.0% | 94 |
| 5 | Brakes | 6.3% | 74 |
| 6 | Emissions & environmental | 6.3% | 74 |
Most common specific failures
The exact components most often recorded as failures — more specific than the categories above.
| # | Failure item | Times recorded |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Component mounting prescribed areas | 161 |
| 2 | Washers | 76 |
| 3 | Catalyst emissions | 75 |
| 4 | Headlamp aim | 63 |
| 5 | Prescribed areas | 53 |
| 6 | Exhaust system | 52 |
Top advisory categories
Advisories aren't failures, but they flag work likely needed soon — useful when budgeting.
| # | Category | % of tests with advisory | Tests |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Suspension | 33.1% | 389 |
| 2 | Emissions & environmental | 22.3% | 263 |
| 3 | Body, structure & corrosion | 21.6% | 254 |
| 4 | Brakes | 20.6% | 243 |
| 5 | Tyres | 17.3% | 204 |
| 6 | Other defects | 9.3% | 109 |
Failure rate by mileage
Higher-mileage cars tend to fail more — often the most useful guide to real condition.
| Mileage band | Tests | Fail rate |
|---|---|---|
| 0-30k | 108 | 12.0% |
| 30-60k | 407 | 22.4% |
| 60-90k | 344 | 26.5% |
| 90-120k | 181 | 29.8% |
| 120-150k | 93 | 32.3% |
By fuel type
| Fuel | Tests | Fail rate |
|---|---|---|
| Petrol | 1,121 | 24.0% |
| Diesel | 56 | 28.6% |
Trend over time
| Dataset year | Tests | Fail rate |
|---|---|---|
| 2021 | 368 | 22.8% |
| 2022 | 268 | 24.3% |
| 2023 | 210 | 25.2% |
| 2024 | 184 | 28.3% |
| 2025 | 147 | 21.1% |
What to check before buying a 1995 Corsa
On a 1995 Corsa, lighting & signalling is what the MOT record says goes wrong most — it appeared in 13.0% of tests. Check these areas before you commit.
- Lighting & signalling (13.0% of tests): Often a cheap bulb, but persistent issues can mean wiring or corrosion in the units. Typical repair: £10–£150.
- Suspension (10.7% of tests): Worn drop links, bushes, springs or shocks — listen for knocks over bumps and check for uneven tyre wear. Typical repair: £150–£450 per corner.
- Visibility (8.4% of tests): Wipers, washers, mirrors and screen damage — usually inexpensive, but check for chips in the driver's line of sight. Typical repair: £15–£150.
Repair costs are rough UK ballpark ranges to set expectations, not quotes — actual prices vary widely by car, parts and garage.
Frequently asked questions
How many 1995 Vauxhall Corsas pass their MOT?
75.8% of the 1,177 1995 Vauxhall Corsa MOT tests in this dataset passed — a 24.2% fail rate.
What is the most common MOT failure on a 1995 Vauxhall Corsa?
Lighting & signalling, recorded in 13.0% of tests, followed by suspension (10.7%).
Does the 1995 Corsa get worse with mileage?
Its MOT fail rate rises from 12.0% in the 0-30k band to 32.3% in the 120-150k band.
Methodology & source. Based on 1,177 MOT tests. Dataset: DVSA MOT testing data (2021,2022,2023,2024,2025). Data last updated 2026-07-27. Figures reflect MOT-testable defects only — read the methodology for how these are calculated and what they don't measure.