2016 Vauxhall Corsa Energy 1.4 petrol from UK and Ireland

Summary:

Decent first car

Faults:

Air con is weak now, was OK when I first got it. Maybe just needs a re gas?

Brake pads.

Front suspension needed both springs at last MOT.

General Comments:

Black 2016 Corsa, smart, modern and reliable; I have enjoyed my first few years of motoring with this car.

Dull but comfortable and functional interior. Quiet on the move. Hatch opens to reveal a large enough space for shopping.

I think it's a good looking car with alloy wheels.

1.4 petrol is probably the best all round engine. Economical still with well over 40 mpg most of the time, and performance is OK. Looked after it has proven reliable.

If you are thinking about a first car, the Corsa is a popular choice.

Would you buy another car from this manufacturer? Yes

Review Date: 5th May, 2025

2016 Vauxhall Corsa 1.2 from UK and Ireland

Summary:

Avoid at all cost

Faults:

Everything. I have no idea why this car gets high ratings in reviews. It's terrible!

The seats are extremely uncomfortable, ride is poor, corners are scary as its reaction is hardly predictable (and it changes with three people on board vs driver only!).

Engines are underpowered and noisy. You can hear tyres and wind noise more than in older competitors' cars.

Interior is cheap, plasticky and cramped. Seats wear off quickly.

Brakes feel weak too. Ride is uncomfortable, gear shifts are relatively short but not precise.

Dashboard is terrible. Lights are hard to switch on. Driving position is poor and visibility is close to none! It's easier to park a LandCruiser - which is unbelievable in such a small car.

On top of that reliability sucks. Everything constantly fails - electrics, locks, engines. A few hundred miles and things start to squeak and leak. Because of poor reliability this car is NOT cheap to run. Residual values are terrible too.

My best advice - avoid at all cost. Read user reviews - not critics reviews.

Would you buy another car from this manufacturer? No

Review Date: 20th December, 2016

21st Dec 2016, 22:26

Could you be more specific about the "faults" in your review you have listed? The first set of things you outline are complaints about the car's performance itself, which you should have picked up on with a quick test drive, and if the car was not to your liking, you could have looked elsewhere - Toyota Yaris, Ford Fiesta, etc.

Remember cars in this class are all "superminis/city cars" and are all much the same; don't expect anything special other than basic transport.

With regards to engine and electrics, any fault like that is unacceptable on a 2016 new car; I'd get it all sorted while it's under warranty; let us know how you get on.

23rd Dec 2016, 21:23

Exactly what with the electrics, locks and engine has failed?

10th Jul 2023, 16:57

Fiesta is the better car, but the Corsa should not have been this bad when new/nearly new.