2006 Vauxhall Corsa — MOT failures & pass rate
Across 151,442 MOT tests analysed for the 2006 Vauxhall Corsa, the most common recorded failure areas were lighting & signalling, suspension and brakes. Its pass rate of 68.8% was below the average for superminis of a similar age (71.7%). Higher-mileage examples failed more often — 33.3% in the 150k+ group versus 21.8% in the 0-30k group.
How it compares
Top failure categories
| # | Category | % of tests affected | Tests |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Lighting & signalling | 16.0% | 24,164 |
| 2 | Suspension | 15.3% | 23,207 |
| 3 | Brakes | 12.3% | 18,653 |
| 4 | Body, structure & corrosion | 11.8% | 17,826 |
| 5 | Visibility | 7.3% | 11,122 |
| 6 | Tyres | 6.8% | 10,283 |
Most common specific failures
The exact components most often recorded as failures — more specific than the categories above.
| # | Failure item | Times recorded |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Joints | 13,711 |
| 2 | Coil spring | 8,915 |
| 3 | Rbt (sp) | 8,842 |
| 4 | Headlamp aim | 8,259 |
| 5 | Rigid brake pipes | 7,433 |
| 6 | Headlamp | 6,837 |
Top advisory categories
Advisories aren't failures, but they flag work likely needed soon — useful when budgeting.
| # | Category | % of tests with advisory | Tests |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Brakes | 31.4% | 47,505 |
| 2 | Tyres | 31.0% | 46,921 |
| 3 | Suspension | 30.6% | 46,276 |
| 4 | Body, structure & corrosion | 21.8% | 33,055 |
| 5 | Emissions & environmental | 20.8% | 31,437 |
| 6 | Other defects | 16.8% | 25,364 |
Failure rate by mileage
Higher-mileage cars tend to fail more — often the most useful guide to real condition.
| Mileage band | Tests | Fail rate |
|---|---|---|
| 0-30k | 4,324 | 21.8% |
| 30-60k | 30,340 | 27.1% |
| 60-90k | 55,455 | 31.4% |
| 90-120k | 42,932 | 33.5% |
| 120-150k | 13,981 | 34.4% |
| 150k+ | 3,494 | 33.3% |
Failure rate by age
By fuel type
| Fuel | Tests | Fail rate |
|---|---|---|
| Petrol | 142,063 | 31.2% |
| Diesel | 9,379 | 31.9% |
Trend over time
| Dataset year | Tests | Fail rate |
|---|---|---|
| 2021 | 44,011 | 32.0% |
| 2022 | 35,814 | 30.9% |
| 2023 | 29,557 | 30.8% |
| 2024 | 23,719 | 30.9% |
| 2025 | 18,341 | 31.1% |
What to check before buying a 2006 Corsa
Before buying a 2006 Vauxhall Corsa, focus on the areas it most often fails on. Lighting & signalling accounted for 16.0% of tests for this year.
- Lighting & signalling (16.0% of tests): Often a cheap bulb, but persistent issues can mean wiring or corrosion in the units. Typical repair: £10–£150.
- Suspension (15.3% of tests): Worn drop links, bushes, springs or shocks — listen for knocks over bumps and check for uneven tyre wear. Typical repair: £150–£450 per corner.
- Brakes (12.3% of tests): Pads/discs are routine wear; binding, imbalance or corroded pipes are more serious — test for pulling under braking. Typical repair: £100–£350 per axle.
Repair costs are rough UK ballpark ranges to set expectations, not quotes — actual prices vary widely by car, parts and garage.
Frequently asked questions
How many 2006 Vauxhall Corsas pass their MOT?
68.8% of the 151,442 2006 Vauxhall Corsa MOT tests in this dataset passed — a 31.2% fail rate.
What is the most common MOT failure on a 2006 Vauxhall Corsa?
Lighting & signalling, recorded in 16.0% of tests, followed by suspension (15.3%).
Does the 2006 Corsa get worse with mileage?
Its MOT fail rate rises from 21.8% in the 0-30k band to 33.3% in the 150k+ band.
Methodology & source. Based on 151,442 MOT tests. Dataset: DVSA MOT testing data (2021,2022,2023,2024,2025). Data last updated 2026-07-01. Figures reflect MOT-testable defects only — read the methodology for how these are calculated and what they don't measure.