2012 Vauxhall Corsavan — MOT failures & pass rate
The 2012 Vauxhall Corsavan passed 72.9% of its 2,087 recorded MOT tests. Against vans of a similar age (25.4% fail rate), the 2012 Corsavan comes out 1.7pp worse. Failures cluster in lighting & signalling, suspension and visibility.
What the MOT record shows
No single area dominates — lighting & signalling (16.0%) and suspension (14.3%) are close, so failures are spread across several systems rather than one weak point.
At component level the recurring items are coil spring, headlamp aim and shock absorbers — coil spring alone was recorded 207 times.
Condition tracks the odometer closely. Failures run at 24.6% in the 30-60k band and 28.7% in the 150k+ band, a 4.1-point spread.
Advisories point at the next bill rather than this one: tyres was flagged on 29.8% of tests without failing them.
The trend is worsening — 25.3% of tests failed in 2021 against 28.2% in 2025, the usual pattern as a fleet ages.
How it compares
Top failure categories
| # | Category | % of tests affected | Tests |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Lighting & signalling | 16.0% | 334 |
| 2 | Suspension | 14.3% | 298 |
| 3 | Visibility | 6.7% | 139 |
| 4 | Brakes | 6.6% | 137 |
| 5 | Tyres | 6.3% | 132 |
| 6 | Body, structure & corrosion | 3.8% | 79 |
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 | 207 |
| 2 | Headlamp aim | 116 |
| 3 | Shock absorbers | 102 |
| 4 | Washers | 101 |
| 5 | Tread depth | 98 |
| 6 | Headlamp | 97 |
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 | 29.8% | 622 |
| 2 | Suspension | 26.3% | 549 |
| 3 | Brakes | 17.1% | 357 |
| 4 | Lighting & signalling | 13.9% | 289 |
| 5 | Emissions & environmental | 11.4% | 237 |
| 6 | Other defects | 10.0% | 208 |
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 | 114 | 24.6% |
| 60-90k | 453 | 24.5% |
| 90-120k | 660 | 27.4% |
| 120-150k | 516 | 28.3% |
| 150k+ | 335 | 28.7% |
Failure rate by age
Trend over time
| Dataset year | Tests | Fail rate |
|---|---|---|
| 2021 | 514 | 25.3% |
| 2022 | 482 | 29.0% |
| 2023 | 416 | 25.7% |
| 2024 | 359 | 27.6% |
| 2025 | 316 | 28.2% |
What to check before buying a 2012 Corsavan
On a 2012 Corsavan, lighting & signalling is what the MOT record says goes wrong most — it appeared in 16.0% of tests. Check these areas before you commit.
- Lighting & signalling (16.0% of tests): Often a cheap bulb, but persistent issues can mean wiring or corrosion in the units. Typical repair: £10–£150.
- Suspension (14.3% 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 (6.7% 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 2012 Vauxhall Corsavans pass their MOT?
72.9% of the 2,087 2012 Vauxhall Corsavan MOT tests in this dataset passed — a 27.1% fail rate.
What is the most common MOT failure on a 2012 Vauxhall Corsavan?
Lighting & signalling, recorded in 16.0% of tests, followed by suspension (14.3%).
Does the 2012 Corsavan get worse with mileage?
Its MOT fail rate rises from 24.6% in the 30-60k band to 28.7% in the 150k+ band.
Methodology & source. Based on 2,087 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.