2009 Vauxhall Corsavan — MOT failures & pass rate
3,840 MOT tests on the 2009 Vauxhall Corsavan are in this dataset, and 73.0% of them passed. Against vans of a similar age (28.1% fail rate), the 2009 Corsavan comes out 1.0pp better. Failures cluster in lighting & signalling, suspension and visibility.
What the MOT record shows
No single area dominates — lighting & signalling (17.3%) and suspension (16.7%) 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 388 times.
Condition tracks the odometer closely. Failures run at 22.6% in the 30-60k band and 28.8% in the 150k+ band, a 6.3-point spread.
Advisories point at the next bill rather than this one: tyres was flagged on 31.0% of tests without failing them.
The trend is worsening — 25.9% of tests failed in 2021 against 29.6% in 2025, the usual pattern as a fleet ages.
How it compares
Top failure categories
| # | Category | % of tests affected | Tests |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Lighting & signalling | 17.3% | 665 |
| 2 | Suspension | 16.7% | 643 |
| 3 | Visibility | 7.6% | 292 |
| 4 | Tyres | 6.7% | 256 |
| 5 | Brakes | 5.3% | 205 |
| 6 | Emissions & environmental | 4.8% | 183 |
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 | 388 |
| 2 | Position lamp | 266 |
| 3 | Headlamp aim | 245 |
| 4 | Washers | 225 |
| 5 | Tread depth | 201 |
| 6 | Headlamp | 197 |
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 | 31.0% | 1,190 |
| 2 | Suspension | 27.5% | 1,056 |
| 3 | Brakes | 17.4% | 668 |
| 4 | Emissions & environmental | 15.6% | 600 |
| 5 | Lighting & signalling | 12.8% | 491 |
| 6 | Body, structure & corrosion | 8.8% | 340 |
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 | 204 | 22.6% |
| 60-90k | 764 | 25.0% |
| 90-120k | 1,133 | 27.2% |
| 120-150k | 985 | 28.2% |
| 150k+ | 735 | 28.8% |
Failure rate by age
Trend over time
| Dataset year | Tests | Fail rate |
|---|---|---|
| 2021 | 977 | 25.9% |
| 2022 | 889 | 25.0% |
| 2023 | 805 | 27.7% |
| 2024 | 652 | 28.7% |
| 2025 | 517 | 29.6% |
What to check before buying a 2009 Corsavan
On a 2009 Corsavan, lighting & signalling is what the MOT record says goes wrong most — it appeared in 17.3% of tests. Check these areas before you commit.
- Lighting & signalling (17.3% of tests): Often a cheap bulb, but persistent issues can mean wiring or corrosion in the units. Typical repair: £10–£150.
- Suspension (16.7% 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 (7.6% 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.
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 2009 Vauxhall Corsavans pass their MOT?
73.0% of the 3,840 2009 Vauxhall Corsavan MOT tests in this dataset passed — a 27.0% fail rate.
What is the most common MOT failure on a 2009 Vauxhall Corsavan?
Lighting & signalling, recorded in 17.3% of tests, followed by suspension (16.7%).
Does the 2009 Corsavan get worse with mileage?
Its MOT fail rate rises from 22.6% in the 30-60k band to 28.8% in the 150k+ band.
Methodology & source. Based on 3,840 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.