2011 Vauxhall Corsavan — MOT failures & pass rate
4,228 MOT tests on the 2011 Vauxhall Corsavan are in this dataset, and 73.6% of them passed. That is effectively the same as vans of a similar age (26.5% 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
One area stands out: lighting & signalling, recorded in 17.6% of tests against 13.3% for the next-worst category.
At component level the recurring items are coil spring, headlamp aim and washers — coil spring alone was recorded 392 times.
Condition tracks the odometer closely. Failures run at 20.6% in the 30-60k band and 28.6% in the 150k+ band, a 8.0-point spread.
Tyres is the most common advisory, noted on 29.7% of tests — work that passed today but is likely due soon.
The trend is worsening — 24.2% of tests failed in 2021 against 29.1% in 2025, the usual pattern as a fleet ages.
How it compares
Top failure categories
| # | Category | % of tests affected | Tests |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Lighting & signalling | 17.6% | 745 |
| 2 | Suspension | 13.3% | 562 |
| 3 | Visibility | 7.4% | 314 |
| 4 | Tyres | 7.0% | 297 |
| 5 | Brakes | 6.6% | 280 |
| 6 | Body, structure & corrosion | 4.8% | 202 |
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 | 392 |
| 2 | Headlamp aim | 256 |
| 3 | Washers | 242 |
| 4 | Tread depth | 240 |
| 5 | Headlamp | 230 |
| 6 | Shock absorbers | 191 |
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 | 29.7% | 1,256 |
| 2 | Suspension | 25.0% | 1,058 |
| 3 | Brakes | 16.8% | 712 |
| 4 | Lighting & signalling | 12.5% | 528 |
| 5 | Other defects | 10.9% | 462 |
| 6 | Emissions & environmental | 9.2% | 389 |
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 | 189 | 20.6% |
| 60-90k | 719 | 21.6% |
| 90-120k | 1,210 | 26.5% |
| 120-150k | 1,172 | 28.4% |
| 150k+ | 915 | 28.6% |
Failure rate by age
Trend over time
| Dataset year | Tests | Fail rate |
|---|---|---|
| 2021 | 1,019 | 24.2% |
| 2022 | 962 | 25.7% |
| 2023 | 880 | 27.2% |
| 2024 | 742 | 27.2% |
| 2025 | 625 | 29.1% |
What to check before buying a 2011 Corsavan
The failure pattern for this year is specific enough to inspect against: lighting & signalling accounted for 17.6% of tests. Start there.
- Lighting & signalling (17.6% of tests): Often a cheap bulb, but persistent issues can mean wiring or corrosion in the units. Typical repair: £10–£150.
- Suspension (13.3% 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 (7.4% 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 2011 Vauxhall Corsavans pass their MOT?
73.6% of the 4,228 2011 Vauxhall Corsavan MOT tests in this dataset passed — a 26.4% fail rate.
What is the most common MOT failure on a 2011 Vauxhall Corsavan?
Lighting & signalling, recorded in 17.6% of tests, followed by suspension (13.3%).
Does the 2011 Corsavan get worse with mileage?
Its MOT fail rate rises from 20.6% in the 30-60k band to 28.6% in the 150k+ band.
Methodology & source. Based on 4,228 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.