1993 Volkswagen Corrado — MOT failures & pass rate
The 1993 Volkswagen Corrado passed 77.8% of its 1,053 recorded MOT tests. All cars of a similar age fail 23.4% of the time, so this is 1.1pp better than the group it competes with. Failures cluster in lighting & signalling, brakes and suspension.
What the MOT record shows
No single area dominates — lighting & signalling (12.5%) and brakes (12.0%) are close, so failures are spread across several systems rather than one weak point.
At component level the recurring items are catalyst emissions, wipers and headlamp — catalyst emissions alone was recorded 115 times.
A 150k+ example is materially riskier than a 60-90k one: 27.0% versus 21.6%.
Advisories point at the next bill rather than this one: brakes was flagged on 33.4% of tests without failing them.
How it compares
Top failure categories
| # | Category | % of tests affected | Tests |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Lighting & signalling | 12.5% | 132 |
| 2 | Brakes | 12.0% | 126 |
| 3 | Suspension | 7.7% | 81 |
| 4 | Emissions & environmental | 7.5% | 79 |
| 5 | Visibility | 6.7% | 70 |
| 6 | Body, structure & corrosion | 5.8% | 61 |
Most common specific failures
The exact components most often recorded as failures — more specific than the categories above.
| # | Failure item | Times recorded |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Catalyst emissions | 115 |
| 2 | Wipers | 64 |
| 3 | Headlamp | 56 |
| 4 | Rbt (sp) | 49 |
| 5 | Service brake performance | 45 |
| 6 | Wheel bearings | 42 |
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 | 33.4% | 352 |
| 2 | Suspension | 26.2% | 276 |
| 3 | Emissions & environmental | 17.2% | 181 |
| 4 | Body, structure & corrosion | 14.5% | 153 |
| 5 | Tyres | 12.2% | 128 |
| 6 | Other defects | 8.2% | 86 |
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 | 102 | 21.6% |
| 90-120k | 230 | 23.9% |
| 120-150k | 278 | 14.4% |
| 150k+ | 408 | 27.0% |
Trend over time
| Dataset year | Tests | Fail rate |
|---|---|---|
| 2021 | 225 | 22.7% |
| 2022 | 218 | 21.6% |
| 2023 | 210 | 22.4% |
| 2024 | 185 | 21.1% |
| 2025 | 215 | 23.3% |
What to check before buying a 1993 Corrado
On a 1993 Corrado, lighting & signalling is what the MOT record says goes wrong most — it appeared in 12.5% of tests. Check these areas before you commit.
- Lighting & signalling (12.5% of tests): Often a cheap bulb, but persistent issues can mean wiring or corrosion in the units. Typical repair: £10–£150.
- Brakes (12.0% 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.
- Suspension (7.7% 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.
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 1993 Volkswagen Corrados pass their MOT?
77.8% of the 1,053 1993 Volkswagen Corrado MOT tests in this dataset passed — a 22.2% fail rate.
What is the most common MOT failure on a 1993 Volkswagen Corrado?
Lighting & signalling, recorded in 12.5% of tests, followed by brakes (12.0%).
Does the 1993 Corrado get worse with mileage?
Its MOT fail rate rises from 21.6% in the 60-90k band to 27.0% in the 150k+ band.
Methodology & source. Based on 1,053 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.