Used car guide

2003 Vauxhall Corsa: common problems and what to check

What gets flagged at MOT on 2003 Vauxhall Corsas, from 5,333 tests in 2025, plus known faults and what to look at before you buy one.

5,333MOT tests in 2025
52%pass first time (all 2003 cars: 59%)
3,500typical miles a year
2.7×the usual rate for drive shaft (cv) joints

What stands out

Parts flagged at MOT more often on 2003 Vauxhall Corsas than on all cars registered in 2003.

  • Drive shaft (CV) joints2.7× usual
    Vauxhall Corsa
    18.1% All 2003 cars
    6.6%

    Failed outright at MOT: 9.5%, against 2.9% of all 2003 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.

  • Exhaust system2× usual
    Vauxhall Corsa
    19.6% All 2003 cars
    9.7%

    Failed outright at MOT: 5%, against 2.6% of all 2003 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.

  • Steering rack inner joints3.3× usual
    Vauxhall Corsa
    11.7% All 2003 cars
    3.5%

    Failed outright at MOT: 0%, against 0% of all 2003 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.

  • Shock absorbers1.8× usual
    Vauxhall Corsa
    11.8% All 2003 cars
    6.7%

    Failed outright at MOT: 1.5%, against 1.6% of all 2003 cars. The rest were advisories or minor defects.

    Rough price £200–£300 (pair, average rear to front) ClickMechanic

    At the viewing: Push down hard on each corner. It should bounce once and settle. Look for oil on the shock absorber body.

Better than most

Rust around suspension or steering mountings: 2.3% here, against 6.6% of all 2003 cars. Chassis rust or damage: 1.3% here, against 4% of all 2003 cars.

By area

The share of 2003 Vauxhall Corsa MOT tests where testers flagged each area, as a fail or an advisory. Rough prices are typical independent-garage costs.

  • Suspension
    51% 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.

  • Brakes
    40% 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.

  • Lights and electrics
    39% 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
    36% 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.

  • Oil and fluid leaks
    26% of testsRough price £80–£600

    At the viewing: Look under the engine and on the ground where the car is usually parked for fresh oil or fluid.

  • Exhaust and emissions
    22% 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.

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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%
201369,342Suspension 43%
201268,241Suspension 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%
20023,564Suspension 52%
20012,394Suspension 46%
20001,025Suspension 40%

Where this comes from: the DVSA's anonymised results for every MOT test in Great Britain in 2025, counting tests of 2003 Vauxhall Corsas registered in 2003. "Flagged" includes advisories, so it isn't the same as a fail rate. How we score