2014 Vauxhall Corsa — MOT failures & pass rate
Across 485,094 MOT tests, the 2014 Vauxhall Corsa recorded a 76.7% pass rate. Against superminis of a similar age (19.4% fail rate), the 2014 Corsa comes out 3.9pp worse. Failures cluster in lighting & signalling, suspension and steering.
What the MOT record shows
One area stands out: lighting & signalling, recorded in 13.3% of tests against 8.4% for the next-worst category.
At component level the recurring items are track rod end, coil spring and stop lamp — track rod end alone was recorded 43,094 times.
A 150k+ example is materially riskier than a 0-30k one: 27.4% versus 15.5%.
Fuel type barely separates them — petrol fails 23.3% of the time against 24.0% for diesel.
Tyres is the most common advisory, noted on 27.2% of tests — work that passed today but is likely due soon.
The trend is worsening — 19.3% of tests failed in 2021 against 26.0% in 2025, the usual pattern as a fleet ages.
How it compares
Top failure categories
| # | Category | % of tests affected | Tests |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Lighting & signalling | 13.3% | 64,660 |
| 2 | Suspension | 8.4% | 40,702 |
| 3 | Steering | 6.7% | 32,298 |
| 4 | Tyres | 5.8% | 28,101 |
| 5 | Brakes | 5.4% | 26,061 |
| 6 | Visibility | 5.3% | 25,513 |
Most common specific failures
The exact components most often recorded as failures — more specific than the categories above.
| # | Failure item | Times recorded |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Track rod end | 43,094 |
| 2 | Coil spring | 28,473 |
| 3 | Stop lamp | 24,858 |
| 4 | Washers | 18,443 |
| 5 | Headlamp | 18,416 |
| 6 | Headlamp aim | 18,410 |
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 | 27.2% | 131,779 |
| 2 | Suspension | 18.3% | 88,899 |
| 3 | Brakes | 16.6% | 80,292 |
| 4 | Steering | 9.8% | 47,320 |
| 5 | Lighting & signalling | 8.6% | 41,455 |
| 6 | Other defects | 7.4% | 35,679 |
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 | 41,755 | 15.5% |
| 30-60k | 201,709 | 21.4% |
| 60-90k | 170,457 | 25.7% |
| 90-120k | 55,560 | 27.5% |
| 120-150k | 12,179 | 28.0% |
| 150k+ | 3,382 | 27.4% |
Failure rate by age
By fuel type
| Fuel | Tests | Fail rate |
|---|---|---|
| Petrol | 435,847 | 23.3% |
| Diesel | 49,238 | 24.0% |
Trend over time
| Dataset year | Tests | Fail rate |
|---|---|---|
| 2021 | 95,972 | 19.3% |
| 2022 | 97,643 | 21.6% |
| 2023 | 99,420 | 24.5% |
| 2024 | 97,507 | 25.2% |
| 2025 | 94,552 | 26.0% |
What to check before buying a 2014 Corsa
The failure pattern for this year is specific enough to inspect against: lighting & signalling accounted for 13.3% of tests. Start there.
- Lighting & signalling (13.3% of tests): Often a cheap bulb, but persistent issues can mean wiring or corrosion in the units. Typical repair: £10–£150.
- Suspension (8.4% 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.
- Steering (6.7% of tests): Play, leaks or worn track rod ends — affects handling and is a safety item. Typical repair: £150–£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 2014 Vauxhall Corsas pass their MOT?
76.7% of the 485,094 2014 Vauxhall Corsa MOT tests in this dataset passed — a 23.3% fail rate.
What is the most common MOT failure on a 2014 Vauxhall Corsa?
Lighting & signalling, recorded in 13.3% of tests, followed by suspension (8.4%).
Does the 2014 Corsa get worse with mileage?
Its MOT fail rate rises from 15.5% in the 0-30k band to 27.4% in the 150k+ band.
Methodology & source. Based on 485,094 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.