2006 Vauxhall Corsa — MOT failures & pass rate
151,448 MOT tests on the 2006 Vauxhall Corsa are in this dataset, and 68.8% of them passed. Against superminis of a similar age (28.3% fail rate), the 2006 Corsa comes out 2.9pp worse. Failures cluster in lighting & signalling, suspension and brakes.
What the MOT record shows
No single area dominates — lighting & signalling (16.0%) and suspension (15.3%) are close, so failures are spread across several systems rather than one weak point.
At component level the recurring items are joints, coil spring and rbt (sp) — joints alone was recorded 13,711 times.
A 150k+ example is materially riskier than a 0-30k one: 33.3% versus 21.8%.
Fuel type barely separates them — petrol fails 31.2% of the time against 31.9% for diesel.
Advisories point at the next bill rather than this one: brakes was flagged on 31.4% of tests without failing them.
How it compares
Top failure categories
| # | Category | % of tests affected | Tests |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Lighting & signalling | 16.0% | 24,164 |
| 2 | Suspension | 15.3% | 23,208 |
| 3 | Brakes | 12.3% | 18,653 |
| 4 | Body, structure & corrosion | 11.8% | 17,826 |
| 5 | Visibility | 7.3% | 11,122 |
| 6 | Tyres | 6.8% | 10,283 |
Most common specific failures
The exact components most often recorded as failures — more specific than the categories above.
| # | Failure item | Times recorded |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Joints | 13,711 |
| 2 | Coil spring | 8,916 |
| 3 | Rbt (sp) | 8,842 |
| 4 | Headlamp aim | 8,259 |
| 5 | Rigid brake pipes | 7,433 |
| 6 | Headlamp | 6,837 |
Top advisory categories
Advisories aren't failures, but they flag work likely needed soon — useful when budgeting.
| # | Category | % of tests with advisory | Tests |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Brakes | 31.4% | 47,506 |
| 2 | Tyres | 31.0% | 46,924 |
| 3 | Suspension | 30.6% | 46,280 |
| 4 | Body, structure & corrosion | 21.8% | 33,057 |
| 5 | Emissions & environmental | 20.8% | 31,437 |
| 6 | Other defects | 16.8% | 25,364 |
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 | 4,324 | 21.8% |
| 30-60k | 30,340 | 27.1% |
| 60-90k | 55,457 | 31.4% |
| 90-120k | 42,936 | 33.5% |
| 120-150k | 13,981 | 34.4% |
| 150k+ | 3,494 | 33.3% |
Failure rate by age
By fuel type
| Fuel | Tests | Fail rate |
|---|---|---|
| Petrol | 142,069 | 31.2% |
| Diesel | 9,379 | 31.9% |
Trend over time
| Dataset year | Tests | Fail rate |
|---|---|---|
| 2021 | 44,012 | 32.0% |
| 2022 | 35,815 | 30.9% |
| 2023 | 29,559 | 30.8% |
| 2024 | 23,720 | 30.9% |
| 2025 | 18,342 | 31.1% |
What to check before buying a 2006 Corsa
On a 2006 Corsa, lighting & signalling is what the MOT record says goes wrong most — it appeared in 16.0% of tests. Check these areas before you commit.
- Lighting & signalling (16.0% of tests): Often a cheap bulb, but persistent issues can mean wiring or corrosion in the units. Typical repair: £10–£150.
- Suspension (15.3% 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.
- Brakes (12.3% of tests): Pads/discs are routine wear; binding, imbalance or corroded pipes are more serious — test for pulling under braking. Typical repair: £100–£350 per axle.
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 2006 Vauxhall Corsas pass their MOT?
68.8% of the 151,448 2006 Vauxhall Corsa MOT tests in this dataset passed — a 31.2% fail rate.
What is the most common MOT failure on a 2006 Vauxhall Corsa?
Lighting & signalling, recorded in 16.0% of tests, followed by suspension (15.3%).
Does the 2006 Corsa get worse with mileage?
Its MOT fail rate rises from 21.8% in the 0-30k band to 33.3% in the 150k+ band.
Methodology & source. Based on 151,448 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.