2003 Vauxhall Corsavan — MOT failures & pass rate
882 MOT tests on the 2003 Vauxhall Corsavan are in this dataset, and 68.6% of them passed. That is 1.4 percentage points worse than vans of a similar age, which fail at 30.0%. Failures cluster in suspension, lighting & signalling and brakes.
What the MOT record shows
No single area dominates — suspension (18.5%) and lighting & signalling (17.7%) are close, so failures are spread across several systems rather than one weak point.
At component level the recurring items are headlamp aim, joints and rbt (sp) — headlamp aim alone was recorded 80 times.
Mileage matters less than usual here: the 2003 Corsavan fails 31.9% of the time in the 60-90k band and 34.1% at 150k+, a spread of only 2.2 points.
Advisories point at the next bill rather than this one: brakes was flagged on 40.9% of tests without failing them.
The trend is worsening — 31.6% of tests failed in 2021 against 34.6% in 2025, the usual pattern as a fleet ages.
How it compares
Top failure categories
| # | Category | % of tests affected | Tests |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Suspension | 18.5% | 163 |
| 2 | Lighting & signalling | 17.7% | 156 |
| 3 | Brakes | 17.0% | 150 |
| 4 | Body, structure & corrosion | 12.1% | 107 |
| 5 | Visibility | 8.2% | 72 |
| 6 | Steering | 7.6% | 67 |
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 | 80 |
| 2 | Joints | 76 |
| 3 | Rbt (sp) | 75 |
| 4 | Rigid brake pipes | 73 |
| 5 | Coil spring | 62 |
| 6 | Wipers | 49 |
Top advisory categories
Advisories aren't failures, but they flag work likely needed soon — useful when budgeting.
| # | Category | % of tests with advisory | Tests |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Brakes | 40.9% | 361 |
| 2 | Suspension | 35.7% | 315 |
| 3 | Tyres | 30.7% | 271 |
| 4 | Other defects | 25.3% | 223 |
| 5 | Emissions & environmental | 22.8% | 201 |
| 6 | Body, structure & corrosion | 19.4% | 171 |
Failure rate by mileage
Higher-mileage cars tend to fail more — often the most useful guide to real condition.
| Mileage band | Tests | Fail rate |
|---|---|---|
| 60-90k | 72 | 31.9% |
| 90-120k | 184 | 27.2% |
| 120-150k | 219 | 31.5% |
| 150k+ | 337 | 34.1% |
Failure rate by age
By fuel type
| Fuel | Tests | Fail rate |
|---|---|---|
| Diesel | 836 | 32.1% |
| Petrol | 46 | 19.6% |
Trend over time
| Dataset year | Tests | Fail rate |
|---|---|---|
| 2021 | 294 | 31.6% |
| 2022 | 226 | 30.5% |
| 2023 | 157 | 28.0% |
| 2024 | 124 | 34.7% |
| 2025 | 81 | 34.6% |
What to check before buying a 2003 Corsavan
On a 2003 Corsavan, suspension is what the MOT record says goes wrong most — it appeared in 18.5% of tests. Check these areas before you commit.
- Suspension (18.5% 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.
- Lighting & signalling (17.7% of tests): Often a cheap bulb, but persistent issues can mean wiring or corrosion in the units. Typical repair: £10–£150.
- Brakes (17.0% 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 2003 Vauxhall Corsavans pass their MOT?
68.6% of the 882 2003 Vauxhall Corsavan MOT tests in this dataset passed — a 31.4% fail rate.
What is the most common MOT failure on a 2003 Vauxhall Corsavan?
Suspension, recorded in 18.5% of tests, followed by lighting & signalling (17.7%).
Does the 2003 Corsavan get worse with mileage?
Its MOT fail rate rises from 31.9% in the 60-90k band to 34.1% in the 150k+ band.
Methodology & source. Based on 882 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.