Used car guide

2015 Vauxhall Corsa: common problems and what to check

What gets flagged at MOT on 2015 Vauxhall Corsas, from 86,737 tests in 2025, plus known faults and what to look at before you buy one.

86,737MOT tests in 2025
64%pass first time (all 2015 cars: 72%)
6,500typical miles a year
6.3×the usual rate for track rod end

What stands out

Parts flagged at MOT more often on 2015 Vauxhall Corsas than on all cars registered in 2015.

  • Track rod end6.3× usual
    Vauxhall Corsa
    22.7% All 2015 cars
    3.6%
    Rough price £80–£450

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

  • Coil springs2.2× usual
    Vauxhall Corsa
    12.1% All 2015 cars
    5.4%
    Rough price £120–£300

    At the viewing: Look behind each wheel for a snapped spring coil, and listen for a clunk or twang when turning the wheel lock to lock with the car stopped.

  • Shock absorbers2× usual
    Vauxhall Corsa
    10.6% All 2015 cars
    5.2%
    Rough price £150–£400

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

  • Exhaust system2.3× usual
    Vauxhall Corsa
    6.1% All 2015 cars
    2.7%
    Rough price £100–£500

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

  • Front strut mounts and bushes8.2× usual
    Vauxhall Corsa
    3.3% All 2015 cars
    0.4%
    Rough price £120–£400

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

Better than most

Suspension arm bushes and joints: 1.5% here, against 7.1% of all 2015 cars.

By area

The share of 2015 Vauxhall Corsa MOT tests where testers flagged each area, as a fail or an advisory. Rough prices are typical independent-garage costs.

  • Suspension
    43% 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.

  • Tyres
    34% 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
    22% 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
    15% of testsRough price £10–£80

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

  • Wipers, windscreen and mirrors
    7% of testsRough price £15–£250

    At the viewing: Check for chips in the driver's view, and test the wipers and washers.

  • Exhaust and emissions
    7% 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.

Known faults

Reported by owners, mechanics and buying guides for this model and age. Check which engine the car has, as some apply to one engine only.

  • Timing chain rattle

    These engines use a timing chain. Poor servicing wears the tensioner, and high-mileage cars can see the chain stretch, causing rattles and misfires.

    At the viewing: Start the engine from cold and listen for a rattle in the first few seconds. Ask for proof of yearly oil changes.

    Source: Parkers: Vauxhall Corsa (2014-2019) used review

  • Easytronic automated gearbox
    Easytronic versions only

    The Easytronic “automatic” is a manual with a robot clutch. The clutch still wears out and can be awkward to repair.

    At the viewing: If it’s an automatic, check whether it’s Easytronic and test it in slow traffic for slow or jerky changes.

    Source: Parkers: Vauxhall Corsa (2014-2019) used review

  • Misfires from worn coil packs
    Petrol models

    A hesitation, flat spot or rough idle usually comes from worn ignition coil packs.

    At the viewing: On the drive, accelerate gently through the gears and watch for hesitation or a flashing engine light.

    Source: Parkers: Vauxhall Corsa (2014-2019) used review

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Other years

YearMOT testsMost flagged
201941,997Tyres 30%
201852,878Tyres 34%
201751,943Suspension 37%
201675,251Suspension 41%
201472,135Suspension 45%
201369,323Suspension 43%
201268,236Suspension 44%
201153,793Suspension 45%
201046,086Suspension 45%
200939,748Suspension 47%
200835,816Suspension 50%

Where this comes from: the DVSA's anonymised results for every MOT test in Great Britain in 2025, counting tests of 2015 Vauxhall Corsas registered in 2015. "Flagged" includes advisories, so it isn't the same as a fail rate. How we score