Used car guide

2020 Vauxhall Corsa: common problems and what to check

What gets flagged at MOT on 2020 Vauxhall Corsas, from 45,555 tests in 2025, plus known faults and what to look at before you buy one.

45,555MOT tests in 2025
85%pass first time (all 2020 cars: 86%)
6,800typical miles a year
1.7×the usual rate for brake discs

What stands out

Parts flagged at MOT more often on 2020 Vauxhall Corsas than on all cars registered in 2020.

  • Brake discs1.7× usual
    Vauxhall Corsa
    15.4% All 2020 cars
    9%

    Failed outright at MOT: 1%, against 0.4% of all 2020 cars. The rest were advisories or minor defects.

    Rough price £150–£350 our estimate

    At the viewing: Look through the wheel at the brake disc: a deep lip at the edge or heavy scoring means they're worn. Feel for judder when braking.

  • Wipers2.1× usual
    Vauxhall Corsa
    6% All 2020 cars
    2.9%

    Failed outright at MOT: 4.5%, against 1.8% of all 2020 cars. The rest were advisories or minor defects.

    Rough price £15–£60 our estimate

    At the viewing: Test the wipers and washers on every speed.

By area

The share of 2020 Vauxhall Corsa MOT tests where testers flagged each area, as a fail or an advisory. Rough prices are typical independent-garage costs.

  • Tyres
    27% 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
    20% 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.

  • Wipers, windscreen and mirrors
    8% of testsRough price £15–£250

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

  • Lights and electrics
    4% of testsRough price £10–£80

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

  • Suspension
    3% 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.

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

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

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Other years

YearMOT testsMost flagged
20231,579Tyres 15%
202236,311Tyres 24%
202140,342Tyres 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%
20035,333Suspension 51%
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 2020 Vauxhall Corsas registered in 2020. "Flagged" includes advisories, so it isn't the same as a fail rate. How we score