1999 Vauxhall Corsa — MOT failures & pass rate
8,549 MOT tests on the 1999 Vauxhall Corsa are in this dataset, and 72.7% of them passed. Against superminis of a similar age (29.4% fail rate), the 1999 Corsa comes out 2.1pp better. Failures cluster in lighting & signalling, suspension and body, structure & corrosion.
What the MOT record shows
Lighting & signalling dominates the failure mix at 14.7% of all tests — 3.1 points clear of suspension, so it is the first thing to check.
At component level the recurring items are component mounting prescribed areas, catalyst emissions and position lamp — component mounting prescribed areas alone was recorded 846 times.
A 150k+ example is materially riskier than a 0-30k one: 25.9% versus 18.0%.
Advisories point at the next bill rather than this one: suspension was flagged on 35.6% of tests without failing them.
How it compares
Top failure categories
| # | Category | % of tests affected | Tests |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Lighting & signalling | 14.7% | 1,253 |
| 2 | Suspension | 11.6% | 988 |
| 3 | Body, structure & corrosion | 10.3% | 879 |
| 4 | Visibility | 7.2% | 616 |
| 5 | Emissions & environmental | 6.6% | 562 |
| 6 | Brakes | 6.2% | 532 |
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 | 846 |
| 2 | Catalyst emissions | 603 |
| 3 | Position lamp | 430 |
| 4 | Joints | 392 |
| 5 | Washers | 376 |
| 6 | Headlamp aim | 367 |
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 | 35.6% | 3,043 |
| 2 | Tyres | 25.5% | 2,182 |
| 3 | Body, structure & corrosion | 25.0% | 2,136 |
| 4 | Brakes | 20.4% | 1,743 |
| 5 | Other defects | 14.9% | 1,273 |
| 6 | Emissions & environmental | 12.4% | 1,057 |
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 | 605 | 18.0% |
| 30-60k | 3,338 | 24.9% |
| 60-90k | 3,023 | 30.0% |
| 90-120k | 1,218 | 30.9% |
| 120-150k | 269 | 31.6% |
| 150k+ | 81 | 25.9% |
Failure rate by age
By fuel type
| Fuel | Tests | Fail rate |
|---|---|---|
| Petrol | 8,394 | 27.4% |
| Diesel | 155 | 23.9% |
Trend over time
| Dataset year | Tests | Fail rate |
|---|---|---|
| 2021 | 2,682 | 27.9% |
| 2022 | 2,053 | 27.2% |
| 2023 | 1,611 | 27.3% |
| 2024 | 1,234 | 26.3% |
| 2025 | 969 | 27.1% |
What to check before buying a 1999 Corsa
On a 1999 Corsa, lighting & signalling is what the MOT record says goes wrong most — it appeared in 14.7% of tests. Check these areas before you commit.
- Lighting & signalling (14.7% of tests): Often a cheap bulb, but persistent issues can mean wiring or corrosion in the units. Typical repair: £10–£150.
- Suspension (11.6% 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.
- Body, structure & corrosion (10.3% of tests): The one to take seriously on older cars — corrosion to structural areas can be costly and is an MOT failure. Typical repair: £200–£1,500+.
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 1999 Vauxhall Corsas pass their MOT?
72.7% of the 8,549 1999 Vauxhall Corsa MOT tests in this dataset passed — a 27.3% fail rate.
What is the most common MOT failure on a 1999 Vauxhall Corsa?
Lighting & signalling, recorded in 14.7% of tests, followed by suspension (11.6%).
Does the 1999 Corsa get worse with mileage?
Its MOT fail rate rises from 18.0% in the 0-30k band to 25.9% in the 150k+ band.
Methodology & source. Based on 8,549 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.