2015 Vauxhall Corsa — MOT failures & pass rate
546,983 MOT tests on the 2015 Vauxhall Corsa are in this dataset, and 80.0% of them passed. That is 2.5 percentage points worse than superminis of a similar age, which fail at 17.6%. Failures cluster in suspension, steering and lighting & signalling.
What the MOT record shows
No single area dominates — suspension (7.4%) and steering (5.6%) are close, so failures are spread across several systems rather than one weak point.
At component level the recurring items are track rod end, coil spring and headlamp aim — track rod end alone was recorded 40,353 times.
Condition tracks the odometer closely. Failures run at 13.9% in the 0-30k band and 23.9% in the 150k+ band, a 10.0-point spread.
Fuel type barely separates them — petrol fails 20.0% of the time against 20.4% for diesel.
Advisories point at the next bill rather than this one: tyres was flagged on 28.2% of tests without failing them.
The trend is worsening — 15.8% of tests failed in 2021 against 24.0% in 2025, the usual pattern as a fleet ages.
How it compares
Top failure categories
| # | Category | % of tests affected | Tests |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Suspension | 7.4% | 40,349 |
| 2 | Steering | 5.6% | 30,751 |
| 3 | Lighting & signalling | 5.6% | 30,442 |
| 4 | Tyres | 5.5% | 30,362 |
| 5 | Brakes | 4.5% | 24,726 |
| 6 | Visibility | 4.5% | 24,322 |
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 | 40,353 |
| 2 | Coil spring | 30,986 |
| 3 | Headlamp aim | 16,569 |
| 4 | Washers | 14,315 |
| 5 | Tread depth | 13,752 |
| 6 | Wipers | 13,603 |
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 | 28.2% | 154,419 |
| 2 | Brakes | 17.2% | 94,254 |
| 3 | Suspension | 14.3% | 78,397 |
| 4 | Steering | 9.2% | 50,373 |
| 5 | Other defects | 6.6% | 36,269 |
| 6 | Emissions & environmental | 3.5% | 19,299 |
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 | 72,797 | 13.9% |
| 30-60k | 256,087 | 18.5% |
| 60-90k | 163,169 | 23.3% |
| 90-120k | 43,710 | 25.7% |
| 120-150k | 8,711 | 25.6% |
| 150k+ | 2,435 | 23.9% |
Failure rate by age
By fuel type
| Fuel | Tests | Fail rate |
|---|---|---|
| Petrol | 513,206 | 20.0% |
| Diesel | 33,771 | 20.4% |
Trend over time
| Dataset year | Tests | Fail rate |
|---|---|---|
| 2021 | 105,998 | 15.8% |
| 2022 | 107,574 | 17.3% |
| 2023 | 110,651 | 20.6% |
| 2024 | 111,133 | 22.3% |
| 2025 | 111,627 | 24.0% |
What to check before buying a 2015 Corsa
On a 2015 Corsa, suspension is what the MOT record says goes wrong most — it appeared in 7.4% of tests. Check these areas before you commit.
- Suspension (7.4% 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 (5.6% of tests): Play, leaks or worn track rod ends — affects handling and is a safety item. Typical repair: £150–£500.
- Lighting & signalling (5.6% of tests): Often a cheap bulb, but persistent issues can mean wiring or corrosion in the units. Typical repair: £10–£150.
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 2015 Vauxhall Corsas pass their MOT?
80.0% of the 546,983 2015 Vauxhall Corsa MOT tests in this dataset passed — a 20.1% fail rate.
What is the most common MOT failure on a 2015 Vauxhall Corsa?
Suspension, recorded in 7.4% of tests, followed by steering (5.6%).
Does the 2015 Corsa get worse with mileage?
Its MOT fail rate rises from 13.9% in the 0-30k band to 23.9% in the 150k+ band.
Methodology & source. Based on 546,983 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.