Vauxhall Corsa (1998)
1998 Vauxhall Corsa
CarHunch analysed 68,883 real MOT records for the 1998 Vauxhall Corsa. This breakdown of actual test outcomes — pass rates, defect profiles, mileage data — isn't published anywhere else.
A 1998 Corsa passes its MOT first time in just 68.8% of cases, well below the UK average of 80%, which marks it as a notably unreliable proposition by age-adjusted standards. One in five of these cars have recorded a dangerous defect at some point, a serious concern for any used buyer considering this model.
At 70,000 miles median, these Corsas show typical wear for their age, but the average of 3.26 failures and 9.2 advisories per test reveals widespread mechanical issues across the fleet. Before purchasing one, have a pre-buy inspection carried out by a trusted mechanic, as the MOT data strongly suggests you'll be investing in ongoing repairs rather than a trouble-free runabout.
What to check before buying a 1998 Vauxhall Corsa
Practical pre-purchase checks for this age and model.
- 📋 Check the full MOT history. Look for recurring advisories — slow-building issues like corrosion or brake wear patterns show up years before they become failures. Enter the reg below for a full AI analysis.
- 🔍 Inspect for corrosion in person. Brake pipes, sills, subframes, and chassis legs. Surface rust is normal at this age; structural rust is a serious problem that's expensive to fix and can fail an MOT.
- 🛞 Check tyres and brakes. The most common advisory items at this age. Budget for replacement if they're near the limit — factor this into your offer price.
- ⚠️ 20% of these vehicles have had a dangerous defect recorded. Enter the reg below — the full MOT history will show exactly what was flagged and whether it was resolved.
- 📄 Run an HPI check. The MOT history won't show outstanding finance, insurance write-offs, or stolen status — an HPI check will.
Before you buy a Vauxhall Corsa
MOT history is one piece of the puzzle. These checks can reveal what CarHunch can't.
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Pass Rate by Fuel Type
| Fuel type | Vehicles | Pass rate | Avg failures |
|---|---|---|---|
| Petrol (92%) | 63,345 | 68.8% | 3.3 |
| Diesel (8%) | 5,523 | 68.7% | 2.79 |
| LPG (0%) | 14 | 60.7% | 2.93 |
| CNG (0%) | 1 | 80% | 1 |
Mileage Distribution
Most 1998 Vauxhall Corsa vehicles sit in the blue band. If the car you're looking at is outside it, it's either unusually low or high mileage for its age.
Half of all 1998 Vauxhall Corsa vehicles fall between 55,485 and 86,081 miles.
1998 Vauxhall Corsa — Still on the Road
Numbers are declining — 943 vehicles still getting MOTs in 2023 (5% of peak).
Based on vehicles from this manufacture year that had at least one MOT test in each calendar year. Data from 2014–2023.
MOT History Averages
Most Common MOT Issues — 1998 Vauxhall Corsa
Based on actual MOT test records for this model. Percentage shows how often each item appears across all vehicles in this cohort.
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54.4%
Nearside Front Tyre worn close to the legal limit
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51.6%
Offside Front Tyre worn close to the legal limit
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45.4%
Oil leak
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32.2%
Nearside Rear wheel bearing has slight play
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30.2%
Exhaust has a minor leak of exhaust gases
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28.8%
Offside Rear wheel bearing has slight play
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27%
Front Brake pad(s) wearing thin
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26.6%
Nearside Front Tyre tread depth below requirements of 1.6mm
Data covers a 3-year window centred on 1998. Counts include advisories and failures.
Found a specific Vauxhall Corsa?
Enter the reg to see its individual MOT history, AI Hunches, and how it compares to this cohort.