2008 Vauxhall Corsavan — MOT failures & pass rate
The 2008 Vauxhall Corsavan passed 71.8% of its 5,388 recorded MOT tests. That is effectively the same as vans of a similar age (28.6% fail rate), so the MOT record here is unremarkable in either direction. Failures cluster in lighting & signalling, suspension and visibility.
What the MOT record shows
No single area dominates — lighting & signalling (19.1%) and suspension (17.4%) are close, so failures are spread across several systems rather than one weak point.
At component level the recurring items are coil spring, position lamp and headlamp aim — coil spring alone was recorded 579 times.
Mileage is the strongest signal on the record: 21.4% of 30-60k cars fail, rising to 31.1% once past 150k.
Tyres is the most common advisory, noted on 31.6% of tests — work that passed today but is likely due soon.
How it compares
Top failure categories
| # | Category | % of tests affected | Tests |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Lighting & signalling | 19.1% | 1,031 |
| 2 | Suspension | 17.4% | 939 |
| 3 | Visibility | 7.5% | 404 |
| 4 | Tyres | 7.0% | 375 |
| 5 | Brakes | 6.0% | 321 |
| 6 | Body, structure & corrosion | 5.7% | 307 |
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 | 579 |
| 2 | Position lamp | 388 |
| 3 | Headlamp aim | 352 |
| 4 | Washers | 318 |
| 5 | Headlamp | 300 |
| 6 | Tread depth | 291 |
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 | 31.6% | 1,702 |
| 2 | Suspension | 28.3% | 1,525 |
| 3 | Brakes | 19.6% | 1,056 |
| 4 | Lighting & signalling | 15.5% | 833 |
| 5 | Emissions & environmental | 14.8% | 800 |
| 6 | Body, structure & corrosion | 11.0% | 592 |
Failure rate by mileage
Higher-mileage cars tend to fail more — often the most useful guide to real condition.
| Mileage band | Tests | Fail rate |
|---|---|---|
| 30-60k | 168 | 21.4% |
| 60-90k | 944 | 24.4% |
| 90-120k | 1,629 | 28.4% |
| 120-150k | 1,470 | 28.8% |
| 150k+ | 1,164 | 31.1% |
Failure rate by age
By fuel type
| Fuel | Tests | Fail rate |
|---|---|---|
| Diesel | 5,336 | 28.2% |
| Petrol | 52 | 25.0% |
Trend over time
| Dataset year | Tests | Fail rate |
|---|---|---|
| 2021 | 1,416 | 27.3% |
| 2022 | 1,343 | 27.7% |
| 2023 | 1,102 | 29.7% |
| 2024 | 864 | 28.2% |
| 2025 | 663 | 28.5% |
What to check before buying a 2008 Corsavan
The failure pattern for this year is specific enough to inspect against: lighting & signalling accounted for 19.1% of tests. Start there.
- Lighting & signalling (19.1% of tests): Often a cheap bulb, but persistent issues can mean wiring or corrosion in the units. Typical repair: £10–£150.
- Suspension (17.4% 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.
- Visibility (7.5% 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.
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 2008 Vauxhall Corsavans pass their MOT?
71.8% of the 5,388 2008 Vauxhall Corsavan MOT tests in this dataset passed — a 28.2% fail rate.
What is the most common MOT failure on a 2008 Vauxhall Corsavan?
Lighting & signalling, recorded in 19.1% of tests, followed by suspension (17.4%).
Does the 2008 Corsavan get worse with mileage?
Its MOT fail rate rises from 21.4% in the 30-60k band to 31.1% in the 150k+ band.
Methodology & source. Based on 5,388 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.