Used Vauxhall Corsa 2019-present reliability
Category: Small car
The Corsa is well equipped and relatively cheap used, but it's rather average in key areas
What should I look for in a used Vauxhall Corsa hatchback?
When viewing a used car, always follow our used car buying checklist.
The Corsa has rather large pillars front and rear, which restrict your view out and can pose some difficulty when parking it – Vauxhall even offered a self-parking feature as part of an option pack – so check for any scrapes or dings to the bumpers or bodywork, as these can be expensive to put right.
Check the alloy wheels if your potential purchase has them. As it is a town car, previous owners may have mounted or brushed up against a kerb or two during their ownership and damaged the surface of wheels.
Also, check the interior for any broken bits of trim, and that the seat fabric hasn’t been damaged by child seats. We have been told by an owner of seat clips breaking, making it hard to release the seatback. It could be an isolated incident, but it is worth checking that the seats fold as they should.
The Corsa is well provisioned with safety equipment. Lane-departure warning, lane-keeping assistance, speed limit recognition, a driver fatigue alert system and automatic emergency braking are all standard across the range. Despite this, the model only managed a four-star safety rating from experts Euro NCAP, rather than the full five stars that most rivals, such as the Polo, Ibiza and Fiesta, were awarded.
What are the most common problems with a used Vauxhall Corsa hatchback?
There's a possible problem with the front airbag. Number of recalled vehicles: 128. Years applicable: 2019, 2020, 2021, 2022, 2023, 2024.
Click here for more information. Contact your local Vauxhall dealer if you believe your vehicle is involved in a recall.
Is a used Vauxhall Corsa hatchback reliable?
We don't consider the Vauxhall Corsa to be a reliable car, unfortunately.
In our 2023 What Car? Reliability Survey, this latest Corsa didn't feature, but the previous Corsa only finished in 17th place out of 18 cars in the small cars category. Vauxhall as a car brand scored poorly, finishing in 30th out of 32 manufacturers.
If you'd like to see the full reliability list, head to the What Car? Reliability Survey pages for more information.
Used Vauxhall Corsa: owners' reliability data
Several owners have reported recurring issues with the Corsa's electronics, including malfunctioning infotainment systems and persistent warning lights: these faults often necessitated multiple trips to dealerships. Some owners then found further frustration, citing inconsistent service quality and long wait times for repairs.
Feedback on the dealers proved mixed, with some praising their professionalism and commitment to resolving issues, while others were disappointed with the lack of communication and perceived high costs of repairs. Despite these challenges, a few readers mentioned their Corsa was generally reliable, pointing out that when problems did arise, they were typically addressed under warranty, albeit not always to the satisfaction of the customer.
