2023 Vauxhall Corsa — MOT failures & pass rate
1,694 MOT tests on the 2023 Vauxhall Corsa are in this dataset, and 94.4% of them passed. That is effectively the same as superminis of a similar age (5.1% fail rate), so the MOT record here is unremarkable in either direction. Failures cluster in visibility, lighting & signalling and tyres.
What the MOT record shows
No single area dominates — visibility (2.6%) and lighting & signalling (2.4%) are close, so failures are spread across several systems rather than one weak point.
At component level the recurring items are headlamp aim, wipers and tread depth — headlamp aim alone was recorded 38 times.
Tyres is the most common advisory, noted on 13.9% of tests — work that passed today but is likely due soon.
How it compares
Top failure categories
| # | Category | % of tests affected | Tests |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Visibility | 2.6% | 44 |
| 2 | Lighting & signalling | 2.4% | 40 |
| 3 | Tyres | 2.2% | 38 |
| 4 | Suspension | 0.8% | 14 |
| 5 | Brakes | 0.8% | 14 |
| 6 | Emissions & environmental | 0.5% | 8 |
Most common specific failures
The exact components most often recorded as failures — more specific than the categories above.
| # | Failure item | Times recorded |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Headlamp aim | 38 |
| 2 | Wipers | 37 |
| 3 | Tread depth | 17 |
| 4 | Ball joint | 13 |
| 5 | Washers | 10 |
| 6 | Brake pads | 9 |
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 | 13.9% | 235 |
| 2 | Brakes | 6.3% | 107 |
| 3 | Other defects | 2.8% | 48 |
| 4 | Visibility | 2.1% | 36 |
| 5 | Suspension | 1.6% | 27 |
| 6 | Road wheels | 0.8% | 14 |
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 | 1,388 | 4.5% |
| 30-60k | 290 | 9.3% |
Failure rate by age
By fuel type
| Fuel | Tests | Fail rate |
|---|---|---|
| Petrol | 1,607 | 5.5% |
| Electric | 87 | 6.9% |
Trend over time
| Dataset year | Tests | Fail rate |
|---|---|---|
| 2024 | 57 | 7.0% |
| 2025 | 1,632 | 5.5% |
What to check before buying a 2023 Corsa
The failure pattern for this year is specific enough to inspect against: visibility accounted for 2.6% of tests. Start there.
- Visibility (2.6% of tests): Wipers, washers, mirrors and screen damage — usually inexpensive, but check for chips in the driver's line of sight. Typical repair: £15–£150.
- Lighting & signalling (2.4% of tests): Often a cheap bulb, but persistent issues can mean wiring or corrosion in the units. Typical repair: £10–£150.
- Tyres (2.2% of tests): Usually a quick, known-cost fix, but check tread, age and uneven wear (which can hint at alignment or suspension issues). Typical repair: £50–£120 per tyre.
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 2023 Vauxhall Corsas pass their MOT?
94.4% of the 1,694 2023 Vauxhall Corsa MOT tests in this dataset passed — a 5.6% fail rate.
What is the most common MOT failure on a 2023 Vauxhall Corsa?
Visibility, recorded in 2.6% of tests, followed by lighting & signalling (2.4%).
Does the 2023 Corsa get worse with mileage?
Its MOT fail rate rises from 4.5% in the 0-30k band to 9.3% in the 30-60k band.
Methodology & source. Based on 1,694 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.