Used car guide

2017 Vauxhall Corsa: common problems and what to check

What gets flagged at MOT on 2017 Vauxhall Corsas, from 51,943 tests in 2025, plus known faults and what to look at before you buy one.

51,943MOT tests in 2025
68%pass first time (all 2017 cars: 78%)
6,400typical miles a year
10.9×the usual rate for track rod end

What stands out

Parts flagged at MOT more often on 2017 Vauxhall Corsas than on all cars registered in 2017.

  • Track rod end10.9× usual
    Vauxhall Corsa
    21.7% All 2017 cars
    2%
    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.

  • Tyre condition1.6× usual
    Vauxhall Corsa
    20.8% All 2017 cars
    13.4%
    Rough price £70–£150

    At the viewing: Check the tread on all four tyres, including the inside edges. Uneven wear can point to tracking or suspension problems.

  • Shock absorbers3× usual
    Vauxhall Corsa
    11% All 2017 cars
    3.7%
    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.

  • Coil springs2.6× usual
    Vauxhall Corsa
    7.5% All 2017 cars
    2.9%
    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.

  • Front strut mounts and bushes15.5× usual
    Vauxhall Corsa
    3.1% All 2017 cars
    0.2%
    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: 1.2% here, against 4.8% of all 2017 cars.

By area

The share of 2017 Vauxhall Corsa MOT tests where testers flagged each area, as a fail or an advisory. Rough prices are typical independent-garage costs.

  • Suspension
    37% 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
    19% 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
    11% 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
    6% of testsRough price £15–£250

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

  • Seats and seatbelts
    2% of testsRough price £80–£250

    At the viewing: Pull each seatbelt sharply. It should lock, and retract cleanly.

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

Looking at a Vauxhall Corsa?

Check the actual car: its own MOT history, mileage and what to ask the seller. Free, no sign-up.

Other years

YearMOT testsMost flagged
201941,997Tyres 30%
201852,878Tyres 34%
201675,251Suspension 41%
201586,737Suspension 43%
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 2017 Vauxhall Corsas registered in 2017. "Flagged" includes advisories, so it isn't the same as a fail rate. How we score