2020 Vauxhall Corsa petrol: common problems and MOT failures

What goes wrong more than usual on a 2020 Vauxhall Corsa petrol?

Parts flagged at MOT more often on the 2020 Vauxhall Corsa petrol than on all cars registered in 2020.

• Brake discs2× usual
  Vauxhall Corsa

  14.5% All 2020 cars

  7.4%

  Failed outright at MOT: 1.1%, 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.

• Wipers2.9× usual
  Vauxhall Corsa

  8.9% All 2020 cars

  3.1%

  Failed outright at MOT: 6.6%, against 2% 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.

Common 2020 Vauxhall Corsa petrol MOT failures and advisories

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

• Tyres
  23% 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
  18% 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
  11% 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
  3% 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
  2% 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.

• Oil and fluid leaks
  1% 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.

Known faults on the 2020 Vauxhall Corsa petrol

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.

• Timing belt that runs in oil (PureTech petrol)

  1.0 and 1.2 PureTech petrol

  The 1.0 and 1.2 PureTech petrol engines use a timing belt that runs in the engine oil (a “wet belt”). It can break down early and shed rubber that blocks the oil supply, which can wreck the engine. Some also burn too much oil. Stellantis now covers earlier engines for belt and oil-burning problems for up to 10 years or 112,000 miles, as long as the car has been serviced on schedule.

  At the viewing: Ask for a full service history showing the right oil, and when the belt was last checked or changed. Check the oil level on the dipstick, and that no oil-pressure or engine warning light stays on.

  Source: Parkers: Stellantis wet belt compensation, and the cars at risk, Stellantis: compensation policy for earlier PureTech 1.0 and 1.2 engines (7 May 2025)

• Infotainment and warning light faults

  All engines

  Several owners report faulty infotainment and persistent warning lights, often needing several dealer visits. Vauxhall came 30th of 32 makers in What Car?'s survey.

  At the viewing: Use the screen and check no warnings stay on.

  Source: What Car?: used Vauxhall Corsa (2019 on) reliability

• Front airbag recall

  Some cars

  A small number of cars were recalled for a possible front airbag problem.

  At the viewing: Ask a Vauxhall dealer whether it applies.

  Source: What Car?: used Vauxhall Corsa (2019 on) reliability

Questions to ask the seller before buying a 2020 Vauxhall Corsa petrol

Ask before you travel to see it. A seller who knows the car will have answers, and receipts.

1. When was the timing belt last checked or changed, and has it had the right oil at every service? Is the car still within Stellantis’ extended PureTech cover?
2. Any recent work on the brake discs? (Flagged at MOT 2× as often on the 2020 Vauxhall Corsa petrol as on other cars the same age.)
3. Any recent work on the wipers? (Flagged at MOT 2.9× as often on the 2020 Vauxhall Corsa petrol as on other cars the same age.)
4. Can I see the service history and receipts for any big jobs?