Used car guide

2008 Vauxhall Corsavan: common problems and what to check

What gets flagged at MOT on 2008 Vauxhall Corsavans, from 501 tests in 2025, plus known faults and what to look at before you buy one.

501MOT tests in 2025
50%pass first time (all 2008 cars: 57%)
7,600typical miles a year
2.1×the usual rate for shock absorbers

What stands out

Parts flagged at MOT more often on 2008 Vauxhall Corsavans than on all cars registered in 2008.

  • Shock absorbers2.1× usual
    Vauxhall Corsavan
    16.4% All 2008 cars
    8%

    Failed outright at MOT: 6.2%, against 2.1% of all 2008 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.

  • Washers2.2× usual
    Vauxhall Corsavan
    8.4% All 2008 cars
    3.9%

    Failed outright at MOT: 8.4%, against 3.9% of all 2008 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 2008 Vauxhall Corsavan 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.

  • Lights and electrics
    41% 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.

  • Brakes
    27% 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.

  • Oil and fluid leaks
    18% 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.

  • Wipers, windscreen and mirrors
    16% of testsRough price £15–£250

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

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.

  • Steering rack recall
    All engines

    Some Corsa Ds were recalled because the steering rack could fail under heavy load.

    At the viewing: Ask a Vauxhall dealer to check the VIN for the recall.

    Source: Haynes: Vauxhall Corsa D common problems

  • Worn gearbox synchromesh
    Manual gearbox

    A sticky gear change and a scraping noise from underneath between about 1,800 and 2,800 rpm point to worn synchromesh.

    At the viewing: Change up and down through every gear, especially 3rd to 4th, and listen in that rev range.

    If it needs doing: Gearbox sensor or solenoid, about £200–£500. ClickMechanic

    Source: Haynes: Vauxhall Corsa D common problems

  • Clutch that doesn't fully let go
    Manual gearbox

    The clutch may not fully disengage, so gears are hard to select.

    At the viewing: Check gears go in easily from a standstill with the clutch pressed.

    If it needs doing: Clutch replacement, about £250–£600. ClickMechanic

    Source: Haynes: Vauxhall Corsa D common problems

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Where this comes from: the DVSA's anonymised results for every MOT test in Great Britain in 2025, counting tests of 2008 Vauxhall Corsavans registered in 2008. "Flagged" includes advisories, so it isn't the same as a fail rate. How we score