Ford Fiesta vs Vauxhall Corsa: which fails its MOT less?
Allowing for age, the Ford Fiesta fails its MOT less often than the Vauxhall Corsa.
- less often than the Vauxhall Corsa, at the same age
- 5.0%less often than the Vauxhall Corsa, at the same age
MOTs passed in 2024: Ford Fiesta 72.2%, Vauxhall Corsa 70.4%
Both fail more often than normal for their age.
Data: DVSA MOT results · 2024 · 2,168,694 tests
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Which fails less for its age?
Allowing for age, the Ford Fiesta fails less often: MOT Risk Index 113.0 against 118.7 (100 = normal for its age; difference 5.7, 95% CI 5.3–6.1).
Both fail more often than normal for their age.
| Measure | Ford Fiesta | Vauxhall Corsa | Years |
|---|---|---|---|
| Passed at the first attempt, % | 64.7 | 62.5 | 2024 |
| MOT Risk Index (100 = normal) | 113.0 | 118.7 | 2024 |
| 95% interval of the index | 112.7–113.2 | 118.4–119.1 | 2024 |
| Rank among 761 models (1 = fails least for its age) | 589 | 640 | 2024 |
| First tests | 1,344,051 | 824,643 | 2024 |
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After defects were fixed at the test centre
72.2% of Ford Fiesta tests and 70.4% of Vauxhall Corsa tests passed, including defects fixed during the test. This is a different outcome from passing at the first attempt.
What explains the difference?
The clearest difference is lamps, reflectors and electrical equipment: against its own class and age, the Ford Fiesta runs +1.4 items per 100 tests and the Vauxhall Corsa +4.6, so the Ford Fiesta has 3.2 fewer per 100 tests (95% interval 3.1 to 3.2).
Each model is compared with its own class and age; the fleets can differ in mileage and use.
More detail
Dangerous defects and advisory items
| Measure | Ford Fiesta | Vauxhall Corsa |
|---|---|---|
| Dangerous defects per 100 tests | 11.2 | 11.3 |
| Advisory items per 100 tests | 138.2 | 128.1 |
Source: DVSA MOT bulk data, 2019–2024. A test can record several items. CSV
At what age does one of them fail more?
The Ford Fiesta fails less at 17 of 17 ages where both are tested, and the gap points the same way at every age where it is clear. Across the 4 yearly tests from age 4 to 7, the gaps add up to 10.1 extra failed tests per 100 for the Vauxhall Corsa (a sum of yearly rates, not the chance of one car failing).
| Age | Difference, pp | 95% interval | Reading |
|---|---|---|---|
| 3 | −2.7 | −3.0 to −2.4 | Ford Fiesta fails less |
| 4 | −5.1 | −5.4 to −4.8 | Ford Fiesta fails less |
| 5 | −2.1 | −2.4 to −1.9 | Ford Fiesta fails less |
| 6 | −1.0 | −1.3 to −0.8 | Ford Fiesta fails less |
| 7 | −1.8 | −2.1 to −1.5 | Ford Fiesta fails less |
| 8 | −3.5 | −3.8 to −3.3 | Ford Fiesta fails less |
| 9 | −4.1 | −4.4 to −3.8 | Ford Fiesta fails less |
| 10 | −4.0 | −4.3 to −3.7 | Ford Fiesta fails less |
| 11 | −3.2 | −3.5 to −2.9 | Ford Fiesta fails less |
| 12 | −3.0 | −3.3 to −2.7 | Ford Fiesta fails less |
| 13 | −3.6 | −3.9 to −3.3 | Ford Fiesta fails less |
| 14 | −4.2 | −4.6 to −3.9 | Ford Fiesta fails less |
| 15 | −4.4 | −4.8 to −4.1 | Ford Fiesta fails less |
| 16 | −4.7 | −5.1 to −4.3 | Ford Fiesta fails less |
| 17 | −5.0 | −5.5 to −4.4 | Ford Fiesta fails less |
| 18 | −5.7 | −6.3 to −5.1 | Ford Fiesta fails less |
| 19 | −4.9 | −5.7 to −4.2 | Ford Fiesta fails less |
| Age band | Ages included | Ford Fiesta, % | Vauxhall Corsa, % | Difference, pp | 95% interval | Reading |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3–5 | 3–5 | 17.1 | 20.5 | −3.4 | −3.5 to −3.3 | Ford Fiesta fails less |
| 6–10 | 6–10 | 30.7 | 34.0 | −3.2 | −3.3 to −3.2 | Ford Fiesta fails less |
| 11+ | 11–20+ | 43.7 | 47.3 | −3.6 | −3.7 to −3.6 | Ford Fiesta fails less |
Source: DVSA MOT bulk data · Window: 2019–2024 · n = 13,502,221 (initial tests at shared ages) · Method: difference of two proportions per age, Bonferroni-corrected for 17 ages; age bands pool the published ages with an unadjusted 95% interval, and the same car can appear at more than one age, so that interval is somewhat narrow · Updated: 25 Sep 2026 · Release: dvsa-2024-v2 · CSV
Where do their MOT failures diverge?
The clearest difference is lamps, reflectors and electrical equipment: against its own class and age, the Ford Fiesta runs +1.4 items per 100 tests and the Vauxhall Corsa +4.6, so the Ford Fiesta has 3.2 fewer per 100 tests (95% interval 3.1 to 3.2).
| Component group | Ford Fiesta vs its class | Vauxhall Corsa vs its class | Gap, Ford Fiesta minus Vauxhall Corsa | 95% interval | Reading |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Lamps, reflectors and electrical equipment | +1.4 | +4.6 | −3.2 | −3.2 to −3.1 | Ford Fiesta fails less |
| Body, chassis, structure | −1.3 | +1.5 | −2.8 | −2.8 to −2.8 | Ford Fiesta fails less |
| Steering | +0.9 | +3.7 | −2.8 | −2.8 to −2.7 | Ford Fiesta fails less |
| Brakes | −2.1 | +0.6 | −2.7 | −2.7 to −2.6 | Ford Fiesta fails less |
| Visibility | −0.6 | +1.8 | −2.5 | −2.5 to −2.4 | Ford Fiesta fails less |
| Tyres | +1.0 | −0.5 | +1.5 | +1.5 to +1.5 | Vauxhall Corsa fails less |
Source: DVSA MOT bulk data · Window: 2019–2024 · n = 13,822,754 (initial tests) · Method: each model's failure items per 100 tests against the rate expected for its own class and age; Poisson interval; the age standard leaves the model out and is treated as fixed; items in the same test are treated as independent, so the interval is slightly narrow · Updated: 25 Sep 2026 · Release: dvsa-2024-v2 · CSV
If one fails, which is more likely to fail again?
A failure on the Ford Fiesta carries 2.3 percentage points more extra risk of failing again than on the Vauxhall Corsa.
| Measure | Ford Fiesta | Vauxhall Corsa |
|---|---|---|
| After a failed test, % | 39.5 | 40.8 |
| After a passed test, % | 28.4 | 32.1 |
| Extra risk carried by a failure, pp | 11.0 | 8.7 |
Source: DVSA MOT bulk data · Window: 2019–2024 · n = 1,016,959 (tests after a fail) · Method: test chains of the same vehicles; cars sold or scrapped after a fail drop out · Updated: 25 Sep 2026 · Release: dvsa-2024-v2 · CSV
What do six years of MOTs show about the two?
The biggest gap in advisories turning into fails is body, chassis, structure: 12.6% on the Ford Fiesta against 17.0% on the Vauxhall Corsa failed on the same item at the next MOT.
| Component | Ford Fiesta | Vauxhall Corsa | Difference, pp |
|---|---|---|---|
| Body, chassis, structure | 12.6 | 17.0 | −4.4 |
| Lamps, reflectors and electrical equipment | 25.3 | 27.1 | −1.8 |
| Noise, emissions and leaks | 7.9 | 9.0 | −1.1 |
| Steering | 15.8 | 16.9 | −1.1 |
| Visibility | 11.7 | 12.5 | −0.8 |
| Tyres | 10.4 | 9.6 | +0.8 |
| Road wheels | 1.5 | 0.9 | +0.6 |
| Suspension | 21.8 | 22.4 | −0.6 |
| Identification of the vehicle | 3.4 | 3.9 | −0.5 |
| Brakes | 12.5 | 12.9 | −0.4 |
| Measure | Ford Fiesta | Vauxhall Corsa |
|---|---|---|
| Repaired and passed the same day | 49.8% | 48.7% |
| Passed 1–10 days later | 48.0% | 48.7% |
| Median retest delay | 1.0 days | 1.0 days |
| Failures per 10,000 miles | 0.603 | 0.681 |
| Three-test clean streak | 33.4% | 33.7% |
| Same advisory repeated 3+ times | 34.7% | 31.7% |
Source: DVSA MOT bulk data · Window: 2019–2024 · n = 9,331,166 (tracked advisories) · Method: same vehicles followed to their next ordinary MOT; common publishable components only · Updated: 25 Sep 2026 · Release: dvsa-2024-v2 · CSV
Recalls, other countries and running costs, side by side
DVSA lists 32 recall campaigns matched to the Ford Fiesta and 58 to the Vauxhall Corsa; more campaigns do not by themselves mean a less reliable car. Abroad, compare each model with that country's own average, because pass rates do not carry across rulebooks. Repair bills are catalogue estimates, not quotes.
| Measure | Ford Fiesta | Vauxhall Corsa |
|---|---|---|
| DVSA recall campaigns listed | 32 | 58 |
| Finland Katsastus: fails, % (national average 26.3%) | 27.1 (22,437 inspections) | 25.8 (8,362 inspections) |
| Netherlands APK: fails, % (national average 50.8%) | 51.5 (139,484 inspections) | 56.0 (140,070 inspections) |
| Norway PKK: fails, % (national average 33.7%) | 38.0 (13,524 inspections) | 36.5 (5,444 inspections) |
| Expected MOT repair bill, £ (estimate) | £93 | £95 |
| Repair bill range, £ (catalogue range, not a 95% interval) | £93–£176 | £95–£181 |
Source: DVSA vehicle recalls register (OGL v3.0); Statens vegvesen PKK (CC BY 4.0), Traficom Katsastus (CC BY 4.0), RDW APK (CC0), adapted; UK repair price catalogue · Window: register as published; inspections 2024 · n = 329,321 (inspections abroad) · Method: recall campaigns matched by make and model, licensed-fleet denominator where available; abroad, samples below 500 suppressed and each model set against that country's own average, with no difference taken across countries; repair bill = chance of failing each item × its most common UK repair price, a catalogue estimate · Updated: 25 Sep 2026 · Release: dvsa-2024-v2 · CSV · licences and full notice
How to cite this comparison
MOT Risk Index (2026). Ford Fiesta vs Vauxhall Corsa: MOT statistics 2024 (data release dvsa-2024-v2; full dataset motriskindex-families-2024-v5, DOI 10.5281/zenodo.22975051), updated 25 September 2026. motriskindex.co.uk/compare/ford-fiesta-vs-vauxhall-corsa/
How the MOT Risk Index and every figure on this page are calculated: methodology.
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Ford Fiesta vs Vauxhall Corsa: quick answers
Is the Ford Fiesta or the Vauxhall Corsa more reliable?
Allowing for age, the Ford Fiesta fails less often: MOT Risk Index 113.0 against 118.7 (100 = normal for its age; difference 5.7, 95% CI 5.3–6.1).
Does the Ford Fiesta or the Vauxhall Corsa fail more MOTs?
35.3% of Ford Fiesta first tests and 37.5% of Vauxhall Corsa first tests failed in 2024. These raw rates do not allow for age; the MOT Risk Index does.
Which should I buy, the Ford Fiesta or the Vauxhall Corsa?
If MOT reliability decides it, the evidence favours the Ford Fiesta. Still check the individual car's MOT history: these figures describe whole model populations.