2009 Vauxhall Corsavan: common problems and what to check
What gets flagged at MOT on 2009 Vauxhall Corsavans, from 390 tests in 2025, plus known faults and what to look at before you buy one.
Small sample: only 390 of these were MOT tested in 2025, so treat the percentages as rough. The known faults below don't depend on it.
What stands out
Parts flagged at MOT more often on 2009 Vauxhall Corsavans than on all cars registered in 2009.
- Shock absorbers2.3× usualVauxhall Corsavan17.2% All 2009 cars7.5%
Failed outright at MOT: 5.9%, against 2% of all 2009 cars. The rest were advisories or minor defects.
Rough price £200–£300 (pair, average rear to front) ClickMechanicAt the viewing: Push down hard on each corner. It should bounce once and settle. Look for oil on the shock absorber body.
- Washers2.4× usualVauxhall Corsavan9% All 2009 cars3.8%
Failed outright at MOT: 9%, against 3.8% of all 2009 cars. The rest were advisories or minor defects.
Rough price £15–£60 our estimateAt the viewing: Test the wipers and washers on every speed.
By area
The share of 2009 Vauxhall Corsavan MOT tests where testers flagged each area, as a fail or an advisory. Rough prices are typical independent-garage costs.
- Suspension49% 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 electrics41% of testsRough price £10–£80
At the viewing: Ask a friend to check every light, including brake lights and indicators, while you operate them.
- Tyres41% 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.
- Brakes23% 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 leaks21% 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 mirrors16% 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 recallAll 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.
- Worn gearbox synchromeshManual 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
- Clutch that doesn't fully let goManual 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
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Other years
| Year | MOT tests | Most flagged |
|---|---|---|
| 2012 | 236 | Suspension 46% |
| 2011 | 464 | Suspension 44% |
| 2010 | 401 | Suspension 45% |
| 2008 | 501 | Suspension 51% |
| 2007 | 315 | Suspension 55% |
| 2006 | 233 | Suspension 52% |
Where this comes from: the DVSA's anonymised results for every MOT test in Great Britain in 2025, counting tests of 2009 Vauxhall Corsavans registered in 2009. "Flagged" includes advisories, so it isn't the same as a fail rate. How we score