2008 Vauxhall Corsa — MOT failures & pass rate
340,002 MOT tests on the 2008 Vauxhall Corsa are in this dataset, and 72.4% of them passed. Superminis of a similar age fail at 26.9%, so the 2008 Corsa sits squarely on the average. Failures cluster in lighting & signalling, suspension and emissions & environmental.
What the MOT record shows
No single area dominates — lighting & signalling (18.1%) and suspension (16.7%) are close, so failures are spread across several systems rather than one weak point.
At component level the recurring items are coil spring, headlamp aim and position lamp — coil spring alone was recorded 29,586 times.
Condition tracks the odometer closely. Failures run at 18.4% in the 0-30k band and 30.8% in the 150k+ band, a 12.5-point spread.
Fuel type barely separates them — petrol fails 27.4% of the time against 28.5% for diesel.
Advisories point at the next bill rather than this one: suspension was flagged on 31.6% of tests without failing them.
How it compares
Top failure categories
| # | Category | % of tests affected | Tests |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Lighting & signalling | 18.1% | 61,557 |
| 2 | Suspension | 16.7% | 56,868 |
| 3 | Emissions & environmental | 6.2% | 21,219 |
| 4 | Visibility | 6.1% | 20,824 |
| 5 | Tyres | 5.8% | 19,610 |
| 6 | Brakes | 5.4% | 18,361 |
Most common specific failures
The exact components most often recorded as failures — more specific than the categories above.
| # | Failure item | Times recorded |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Coil spring | 29,586 |
| 2 | Headlamp aim | 20,112 |
| 3 | Position lamp | 19,103 |
| 4 | Stop lamp | 18,300 |
| 5 | Headlamp | 16,884 |
| 6 | Washers | 15,265 |
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 | 31.6% | 107,566 |
| 2 | Tyres | 30.1% | 102,285 |
| 3 | Emissions & environmental | 20.7% | 70,470 |
| 4 | Brakes | 19.2% | 65,165 |
| 5 | Lighting & signalling | 14.0% | 47,639 |
| 6 | Other defects | 11.3% | 38,403 |
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 | 7,299 | 18.4% |
| 30-60k | 54,489 | 23.4% |
| 60-90k | 125,612 | 27.5% |
| 90-120k | 105,711 | 29.4% |
| 120-150k | 36,590 | 29.9% |
| 150k+ | 10,124 | 30.8% |
Failure rate by age
By fuel type
| Fuel | Tests | Fail rate |
|---|---|---|
| Petrol | 284,593 | 27.4% |
| Diesel | 55,409 | 28.5% |
Trend over time
| Dataset year | Tests | Fail rate |
|---|---|---|
| 2021 | 89,350 | 28.2% |
| 2022 | 78,301 | 27.4% |
| 2023 | 68,292 | 27.7% |
| 2024 | 57,391 | 27.3% |
| 2025 | 46,668 | 27.2% |
What to check before buying a 2008 Corsa
On a 2008 Corsa, lighting & signalling is what the MOT record says goes wrong most — it appeared in 18.1% of tests. Check these areas before you commit.
- Lighting & signalling (18.1% of tests): Often a cheap bulb, but persistent issues can mean wiring or corrosion in the units. Typical repair: £10–£150.
- Suspension (16.7% 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.
- Emissions & environmental (6.2% of tests): More common on older diesels (DPF/EGR) — can be expensive; check for warning lights and smoke. Typical repair: £100–£600.
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 2008 Vauxhall Corsas pass their MOT?
72.4% of the 340,002 2008 Vauxhall Corsa MOT tests in this dataset passed — a 27.6% fail rate.
What is the most common MOT failure on a 2008 Vauxhall Corsa?
Lighting & signalling, recorded in 18.1% of tests, followed by suspension (16.7%).
Does the 2008 Corsa get worse with mileage?
Its MOT fail rate rises from 18.4% in the 0-30k band to 30.8% in the 150k+ band.
Methodology & source. Based on 340,002 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.