2011 Vauxhall Corsa — MOT failures & pass rate
Across 401,276 MOT tests, the 2011 Vauxhall Corsa recorded a 75.4% pass rate. Superminis of a similar age fail at 23.8%, so the 2011 Corsa sits squarely on the average. Failures cluster in lighting & signalling, suspension and brakes.
What the MOT record shows
No single area dominates — lighting & signalling (15.3%) and suspension (12.8%) are close, so failures are spread across several systems rather than one weak point.
At component level the recurring items are coil spring, stop lamp and shock absorbers — coil spring alone was recorded 28,772 times.
Condition tracks the odometer closely. Failures run at 14.9% in the 0-30k band and 28.3% in the 150k+ band, a 13.4-point spread.
Fuel type barely separates them — petrol fails 24.4% of the time against 25.4% for diesel.
Advisories point at the next bill rather than this one: tyres was flagged on 28.3% of tests without failing them.
The trend is worsening — 23.9% of tests failed in 2021 against 25.7% in 2025, the usual pattern as a fleet ages.
How it compares
Top failure categories
| # | Category | % of tests affected | Tests |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Lighting & signalling | 15.3% | 61,508 |
| 2 | Suspension | 12.8% | 51,480 |
| 3 | Brakes | 5.8% | 23,131 |
| 4 | Visibility | 5.3% | 21,270 |
| 5 | Tyres | 5.2% | 20,833 |
| 6 | Emissions & environmental | 4.8% | 19,184 |
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 | 28,772 |
| 2 | Stop lamp | 21,175 |
| 3 | Shock absorbers | 18,627 |
| 4 | Headlamp | 17,669 |
| 5 | Headlamp aim | 17,562 |
| 6 | Washers | 16,227 |
Top advisory categories
Advisories aren't failures, but they flag work likely needed soon — useful when budgeting.
| # | Category | % of tests with advisory | Tests |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Tyres | 28.3% | 113,404 |
| 2 | Suspension | 27.4% | 110,008 |
| 3 | Brakes | 17.3% | 69,243 |
| 4 | Emissions & environmental | 15.2% | 60,909 |
| 5 | Other defects | 11.4% | 45,785 |
| 6 | Lighting & signalling | 10.6% | 42,668 |
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 | 14,060 | 14.9% |
| 30-60k | 97,307 | 20.9% |
| 60-90k | 164,976 | 25.2% |
| 90-120k | 94,699 | 27.4% |
| 120-150k | 24,650 | 28.3% |
| 150k+ | 5,486 | 28.3% |
Failure rate by age
By fuel type
| Fuel | Tests | Fail rate |
|---|---|---|
| Petrol | 350,725 | 24.4% |
| Diesel | 50,551 | 25.4% |
Trend over time
| Dataset year | Tests | Fail rate |
|---|---|---|
| 2021 | 87,887 | 23.9% |
| 2022 | 85,271 | 23.9% |
| 2023 | 82,267 | 24.9% |
| 2024 | 76,150 | 24.7% |
| 2025 | 69,701 | 25.7% |
What to check before buying a 2011 Corsa
On a 2011 Corsa, lighting & signalling is what the MOT record says goes wrong most — it appeared in 15.3% of tests. Check these areas before you commit.
- Lighting & signalling (15.3% of tests): Often a cheap bulb, but persistent issues can mean wiring or corrosion in the units. Typical repair: £10–£150.
- Suspension (12.8% 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 (5.8% 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 2011 Vauxhall Corsas pass their MOT?
75.4% of the 401,276 2011 Vauxhall Corsa MOT tests in this dataset passed — a 24.6% fail rate.
What is the most common MOT failure on a 2011 Vauxhall Corsa?
Lighting & signalling, recorded in 15.3% of tests, followed by suspension (12.8%).
Does the 2011 Corsa get worse with mileage?
Its MOT fail rate rises from 14.9% in the 0-30k band to 28.3% in the 150k+ band.
Methodology & source. Based on 401,276 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.