2001 Vauxhall Corsa Reviews

F code on dashboard sounds very expensive. I think F stands for f****d. An ECU fault pretty much would write the car off.

Beware of the electronics and semi auto gearbox; they are renowned for complete failure

Fuel pump failed at around 35,000 miles.

Gear linkage needed replaced at around 40,000 miles.

Front wipers failed at around 40,000 miles.

Front CV joints failed at around 41,000 miles.

Problems with steering, large dead zone, feedback isn't as good as it should be - probable cause is power steering pump (replaced with a refurbished part around 35,000 miles but it didn't improve matters much).

I've had my Corsa for around five years now, only recently finding that it's been getting expensive to keep in working order (see fault list above!).

The car has a number of good points, I'll start with those:

- Reasonably nippy. The SXi version is stated to have a 0-60 of about 12 seconds. Not 'quick' by anyone's standards, but compared to other cars in its class with the same equipment levels and engine size etc, it's ahead of the pack.

- Economy-wise I get around 40-45mpg. At current petrol prices, that's about 10p a mile, pretty good.

- Good looks. OK, this is a personal thing, but I reckon the styling doesn't look all too dated - even though the 2001 model is now getting on 10 years old.

- Good equipment levels. Alloys, CD player, electric windows, electric doors, 'sports' seats, slightly better looking dash than the standard Corsa version with the SXi.

And some bad points:

- Most of the faults I've listed seem to fall into a 'common theme' for Corsa owners (namely gear linkage, front wipers, and steering). I only need my ECU to start going haywire and I'll have had the full list. Might seem bad for a car that's only done 40,000 miles, but it's probably the age of the car that weighs in here (2001).

- Car does seem to be getting slower over time. This might just be me, but a 56 plate Corsa I've driven was noticeably nippier.

Since I started driving I've had a Nova, Astra, then this Corsa. I think I've been pretty lucky with the cars - no really expensive problems (did get stranded at 1am in a Tesco car park when the fuel pump went though!).

Now looking for a new car, which is taking me ages since I just can't seem to find one for any reasonable amount of money that matches up to what I've got. I suppose that says the most about this common, ordinary little car at the end of the day ;-)

EPS (Electric power steering) failed.

Heating/cooling directional control on dashboard broken stuck on window demist.

Gear linkage's x 2.

Engine keeps filling up with white creamy gunge, had all the head gasket tests and turns out the engine has a bad condensation problem, have to have the oil changed every 6 months.

Crank shaft sensor replaced, car wouldn’t start.

Seems to be a problem with the ECU (not fully looked into yet) causing the throttle to open and close by itself.

The ECU engine management light is a permanent fixture on my Corsa, thinking about removing the bulb. Various faults, different fault codes each visit to the garage.

Boot keeps filling up with water.

Loud creaking when going over speed bumps.

Im sure im missing something out!

I am so fed up with this car, it's my mission to get rid of it as soon as possible. I should have learnt my lesson buying a 3rd Vauxhall as they have all had expensive faults, wish I had kept my Saxo.

The interior is very dull with grey seats, dash and carpets. Everything marks/scratches so easy, door handles, seats and dashboard have not aged well at all. The only thing I like about the interior is that it's quite comfortable.

Slow is how I would describe the performance. It's quite smooth on motorways, but the engine screams at 4000rpm to get 70mph! I suppose for a split second it can be a bit nippy in 2nd gear. Around town it's quiet to drive.

Handling is not one of the Corsa's best points. The ride somehow seems to be stiff and soft at the same time, crashing into pot holes yet leaning right over in the bends. Terrible under steer in the wet, and not much better in the dry.

About once a week it will refuse to start (hopefully cured by the crank sensor), and when it is finally running the throttle body makes a loud click and whining noise, causing the revs to jump and the ECU light to come on.

Stay clear you have been warned, you will be disappointed and skint if you buy one of these cars. I didn't spend a penny on my Saxo VTR and I got better mpg!!