John Evans is a long-time motoring journalist and editor from titles such as What Car?, AutoCar and Practical Caravan.
This version of the Vauxhall Corsa, manufactured between 2001-2006, is a handsome-looking supermini available in three and five-door body styles, and powered by a choice of responsive and economical petrol and diesel engines.
Its closest rival, the Ford Fiesta Mk5, is roomier and better to drive but for undemanding drivers who rarely carry more than one passenger, the Corsa is a perfectly adequate runaround or first car.
The 1.2-litre petrol is the most popular version but there’s a smaller 1.0-litre three-cylinder petrol that’s worth seeking out if low insurance and good fuel economy are your priorities.
So-called Twinport 1.2 and 1.4 petrol engines are a little more economical than standard versions but can be expensive for young buyers to insure.
The 1.3 and 1.7-litre diesel engines are strong performers and reasonably economical (expect around 60mpg) but tend to have covered high mileages as fleet cars, though may have been well serviced, too.
Many Corsas were sold during the model’s five-year run so that today, you’ll have no trouble tracking down a good used one. The best buy is a mid-spec 1.2 SXi three-door with alloy wheels and a body kit.
Common problems with the Vauxhall Corsa
Despite what follows in our Engine section, the Vauxhall Corsa is a generally reliable car. Some of the engines are quite rattly but that’s because they have a cam chain rather than the more common and quieter cambelt.
Rust is rare because the bodies are galvanised. That said, on SXi models especially, check behind the body kit for dampness and corrosion.
Lots of Corsas have been abused and neglected. The signs are easy to spot: badly repaired crash damage, no service history and a tatty interior.
Take the car for an extended test drive to be sure there are no hot running, idling or clutch and gearchange problems.
The model may be tough and relatively simple but once problems, especially with the engine and the electrical system, take hold, they can be difficult and expensive to sort.
All versions have been the subject of serious safety recalls [check the government recall website here]. If you’re buying from a dealer, check they are aware of these and that they have attended to them. If you are buying privately, check whether the seller has proof that the work has been carried out.
If they don’t, contact Vauxhall customer services and ask if they have any records of the work being done (tel 0800 026 0034).
Vauxhall Corsa recall timetable
Recall Model build dates
Front airbag concern 01/01/01
Seat adjuster concern 01/01/02
Water ingress into ABS causing fire
ABS may fail 01/01/03-21/11/07
Fire may occur 20/10/03-25/7/08
Major vehicle areas
Engine
For a small car, the Corsa has a large engine range. The petrol line-up goes all the way from a tiddly 1.0-litre three-cylinder to a frankly unnecessary 1.8. The sweet spot is the 1.2 (it’s barely less powerful than the 1.4).
There’s also a 1.6 CNG version that runs on compressed natural gas as well as petrol. There are CNG refuelling pumps around the country but although the fuel is about half the price of petrol, it hasn’t caught on.
There are just two diesels – a 1.3 and a 1.7 – to choose from. The 1.3 is adequate for most needs.
Regarding the petrol line-up, difficulty with starting, misfiring and power loss (the engine defaults to limp-home mode) are problems to watch for on 1.0 and 1.2 engines.
A seized exhaust gas recirculation (EGR) valve or engine control unit (ECU) may be to blame.
To this litany of woes, the 1.4 and 1.6 engines bring the alarming possibility of no increase in power when the accelerator is depressed (check the ECU). In addition, the 1.4 may suddenly run on three instead of four cylinders – you’ll feel the power suddenly fall away. Again, the ECU may be at fault.
An oil leak from the oil pressure switch is a potential problem common to 1.0, 1.2 and 1.4 engines. Renewing it is the only solution.
The 1.8 engine is not immune from trouble with rough running and difficult starting both possible.
However, these problems fade into insignificance compared with potential issues surrounding the diesel engines. The 1.3 can be hard to start when cold (it could be a clogged air inlet manifold) and suffer power loss (possibly a faulty fuel filter).
Worryingly, it might also belch smoke from under the bonnet, accompanied by hissing from the cylinder head.
This last problem could be down to a faulty injector retaining clamp. The starter motor may suddenly cut in when the engine is running, too. On top of that, the diesel particulate filter (DPF) can become clogged, leading to rough running.
The 1.7 diesels (there are three: a CDTi, DTi and DT) are not much better. On top of poor starting, the CDTi may suddenly cut out (suspect a clogged fuel return hose) or refuse to pick up speed when the accelerator is depressed (the high pressure fuel pump could be at fault). The DTi may start, and then stall at running temperature and refuse to restart (it could be a faulty ECU).
The Di may do all of these plus produce a knocking sound, which could be the fuel flow regulator, or faulty electrical connections on the side of the injection pump. All three can suffer with clogged DPFs.
Transmission
All versions of the Corsa were subject to a so-called technical service bulletin from Vauxhall (TSBs are fixes launched by car makers to deal with commonly occurring problems). It concerned clutch disengagement failure and/or difficulty engaging gear.
It’s quite an expensive fix since it involves removal of the gearbox but the solution itself is simple: a dab of grease on the gearbox input shaft splines.
Steering and suspension
Again, problems here are shared across all versions of the Corsa but are rather more serious. Power steering can suddenly be lost (the warning light will come on but you’ll feel it first when the steering suddenly weights up and the car becomes almost undriveable). It’s a problem with the power steering control unit and easily fixed.
Another problem concerns the electronic stability program (ESP), which helps to prevent the car skidding. You’ll first be aware of it when the ESP warning light comes on. It’s likely to be a problem with the steering angle sensor: either it hasn’t been calibrated or it’s just faulty.
However, even more serious than these two problems is the fact that, if you’re very unlucky, the steering wheel may actually come off in your hands. All Corsas were recalled to have their steering wheel bolt checked and, if necessary, tightened. A recall is an official safety-related action, so it’s not to be taken lightly.
Brakes
The Corsa’s troubles continue with problems concerning the anti-lock brake system. Water can get into the system causing it, either, to short circuit or overheat and catch fire. So serious were these problems that Vauxhall launched two safety recalls, one in 2006 and a follow up in 2007 when it replaced the ABS control unit.
Exterior and interior
Depending on the time of year, this next problem could be a gift or a curse. On some examples of the Corsa fitted with a climate control system, cold air only is blown through the vents, regardless of the temperature setting. The fix involves updating and resetting the control unit software.
Meanwhile, other examples of the model may suffer intermittent problems with the instrument panel. It’s likely to be a poor ground connection on a side member in the engine compartment.
Electronics
Electronics and electrical systems are the root cause of many problems associated with modern cars such as the Corsa but we’ve reserved problems with the model’s engine immobiliser for this section.
The first you know of it is when the engine refuses to start. It can lead to problems with the fuel pump and instrument display and can be traced to faulty electrical connections concerning everything from the immobiliser to the ECU. Only by checking of all of them in turn will you discover which is the culprit