Used car guide

1999 Vauxhall Corsa: common problems and what to check

What gets flagged at MOT on 1999 Vauxhall Corsas, from 781 tests in 2025, plus known faults and what to look at before you buy one.

781MOT tests in 2025
59%pass first time (all 1999 cars: 65%)
2,400typical miles a year
2.3×the usual rate for rust around suspension or steering mountings

What stands out

Parts flagged at MOT more often on 1999 Vauxhall Corsas than on all cars registered in 1999.

  • Rust around suspension or steering mountings2.3× usual
    Vauxhall Corsa
    19.1% All 1999 cars
    8.2%

    Failed outright at MOT: 7.2%, against 4.3% of all 1999 cars. The rest were advisories or minor defects.

    Rough price £100–£450 our estimate

    At the viewing: On a straight road the steering wheel should sit straight. Listen for knocks when turning, and check the steering feels even.

  • Exhaust system1.9× usual
    Vauxhall Corsa
    16.6% All 1999 cars
    8.7%

    Failed outright at MOT: 4.5%, against 2.3% of all 1999 cars. The rest were advisories or minor defects.

    Rough price £100–£500 (pipe or section) ClickMechanic

    At the viewing: Listen for blowing or rattling from underneath at idle, and look for black soot around joints.

  • Wheel bearings2.1× usual
    Vauxhall Corsa
    11.7% All 1999 cars
    5.6%

    Failed outright at MOT: 1.7%, against 1% of all 1999 cars. The rest were advisories or minor defects.

    Rough price £120–£300 (one bearing) ClickMechanic

    At the viewing: Listen for a hum or growl that changes as you steer at speed.

  • Drive shaft (CV) joints2.1× usual
    Vauxhall Corsa
    10.6% All 1999 cars
    5.1%

    Failed outright at MOT: 5.4%, against 2.1% of all 1999 cars. The rest were advisories or minor defects.

    Rough price £60–£350 our estimate

    At the viewing: Drive slowly on full steering lock in both directions and listen for clicking. Look for split rubber boots behind the front wheels.

Better than most

Rigid brake pipes: 6.5% here, against 15.4% of all 1999 cars.

By area

The share of 1999 Vauxhall Corsa MOT tests where testers flagged each area, as a fail or an advisory. Rough prices are typical independent-garage costs.

  • Suspension
    41% of testsRough price £120–£400

    At the viewing: Listen for knocks over speed bumps, and look behind each front wheel for a snapped coil spring.

  • Lights and electrics
    32% of testsRough price £10–£80

    At the viewing: Ask a friend to check every light, including brake lights and indicators, while you operate them.

  • Tyres
    25% of testsRough price £70–£150

    At the viewing: Check the tread on all four tyres, including the inside edges, and look for cracks or bulges.

  • Brakes
    23% of testsRough price £150–£350

    At the viewing: Look for a lip on the disc edges and feel for judder or pulling when braking firmly from about 40mph.

  • Exhaust and emissions
    21% of testsRough price £100–£1,200

    At the viewing: Look for black soot in the tailpipe, listen for blowing from the exhaust and check for engine or DPF warning lights.

  • Rust and bodywork
    21% of testsRough price £150–£1,000

    At the viewing: Check the sills, wheel arches and underneath for rust, and look along the panels for uneven gaps or paint.

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Other years

YearMOT testsMost flagged
20231,579Tyres 15%
202236,311Tyres 24%
202140,342Tyres 27%
202045,555Tyres 27%
201953,103Tyres 30%
201852,881Tyres 34%
201751,952Suspension 37%
201675,262Suspension 41%
201586,750Suspension 43%
201472,145Suspension 45%
201369,343Suspension 43%
201268,246Suspension 44%
201153,798Suspension 45%
201046,093Suspension 45%
200939,752Suspension 47%
200835,822Suspension 50%
200726,793Suspension 51%
200613,490Suspension 51%
20059,026Suspension 50%
20046,393Suspension 50%
20035,333Suspension 51%
20023,564Suspension 52%
20012,394Suspension 46%
20001,025Suspension 40%
1998621Suspension 39%
1997419Suspension 38%
1996202Suspension 40%
1995130Brakes 25%
1994111Suspension 27%

Where this comes from: the DVSA's anonymised results for every MOT test in Great Britain in 2025, counting tests of 1999 Vauxhall Corsas registered in 1999. "Flagged" includes advisories, so it isn't the same as a fail rate. How we score