2008 Vauxhall Corsa — MOT failures & pass rate
Across 339,977 MOT tests analysed for the 2008 Vauxhall Corsa, the most common recorded failure areas were lighting & signalling, suspension and emissions & environmental. Its pass rate of 72.4% was in line with the average for superminis of a similar age (73.2%). Higher-mileage examples failed more often — 30.8% in the 150k+ group versus 18.4% in the 0-30k group.
How it compares
Top failure categories
| # | Category | % of tests affected | Tests |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Lighting & signalling | 18.1% | 61,552 |
| 2 | Suspension | 16.7% | 56,863 |
| 3 | Emissions & environmental | 6.2% | 21,219 |
| 4 | Visibility | 6.1% | 20,822 |
| 5 | Tyres | 5.8% | 19,602 |
| 6 | Brakes | 5.4% | 18,361 |
Most common specific failures
The exact components most often recorded as failures — more specific than the categories above.
| # | Failure item | Times recorded |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Coil spring | 29,586 |
| 2 | Headlamp aim | 20,110 |
| 3 | Position lamp | 19,098 |
| 4 | Stop lamp | 18,298 |
| 5 | Headlamp | 16,881 |
| 6 | Washers | 15,264 |
Top advisory categories
Advisories aren't failures, but they flag work likely needed soon — useful when budgeting.
| # | Category | % of tests with advisory | Tests |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Suspension | 31.6% | 107,562 |
| 2 | Tyres | 30.1% | 102,277 |
| 3 | Emissions & environmental | 20.7% | 70,459 |
| 4 | Brakes | 19.2% | 65,160 |
| 5 | Lighting & signalling | 14.0% | 47,638 |
| 6 | Other defects | 11.3% | 38,401 |
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 | 7,299 | 18.4% |
| 30-60k | 54,489 | 23.4% |
| 60-90k | 125,604 | 27.5% |
| 90-120k | 105,694 | 29.4% |
| 120-150k | 36,590 | 29.9% |
| 150k+ | 10,124 | 30.8% |
Failure rate by age
By fuel type
| Fuel | Tests | Fail rate |
|---|---|---|
| Petrol | 284,568 | 27.4% |
| Diesel | 55,409 | 28.5% |
Trend over time
| Dataset year | Tests | Fail rate |
|---|---|---|
| 2021 | 89,349 | 28.2% |
| 2022 | 78,295 | 27.4% |
| 2023 | 68,286 | 27.7% |
| 2024 | 57,383 | 27.3% |
| 2025 | 46,664 | 27.2% |
What to check before buying a 2008 Corsa
Before buying a 2008 Vauxhall Corsa, focus on the areas it most often fails on. Lighting & signalling accounted for 18.1% of tests for this year.
- Lighting & signalling (18.1% of tests): Often a cheap bulb, but persistent issues can mean wiring or corrosion in the units. Typical repair: £10–£150.
- Suspension (16.7% 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.
- Emissions & environmental (6.2% of tests): More common on older diesels (DPF/EGR) — can be expensive; check for warning lights and smoke. Typical repair: £100–£600.
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 2008 Vauxhall Corsas pass their MOT?
72.4% of the 339,977 2008 Vauxhall Corsa MOT tests in this dataset passed — a 27.6% fail rate.
What is the most common MOT failure on a 2008 Vauxhall Corsa?
Lighting & signalling, recorded in 18.1% of tests, followed by suspension (16.7%).
Does the 2008 Corsa get worse with mileage?
Its MOT fail rate rises from 18.4% in the 0-30k band to 30.8% in the 150k+ band.
Methodology & source. Based on 339,977 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.