Looking for advice on buying a used car - 2015 Vauxhall Corsa / 33k miles

jun4k

Hi everyone,

This is my first time buying a car in the UK, and I've been looking at various options in my budget. I've come across this Vauxhall Corsa in a dealership, and would appreciate the experts advice if I should consider this vehicle as my first car for me and my family.

The specs:

Last MOT Mileage: 33254
Mileage Issues: No Model Variant Corsa Description Corsa Design Primary Colour Grey Fuel Type Petrol Transmission Manual 5 Gears Engine 1229 cc Body Style Hatchback Year Manufacture 2015 Euro Status 5b Vehicle Age 10 Years 2 Months Registration Place Glasgow Registration Date 28/01/2015 Last V5C Issue Date 06 March 2017 Type Approval M1 Wheel Plan 2 Axle Rigid Body

And the MOT history:

21/01/2025 - Vehicle passed MOT with no advisory notices - 33254
10/01/2024 - Vehicle passed MOT with no advisory notices - 30913
10/01/2024 - 30913 - 

• Offside Front Track rod end ball joint dust cover excessively damaged or deteriorated so that it no longer prevents the ingress of dirt (2.1.3 (g) (ii)) FAIL
• Nearside Front Track rod end ball joint dust cover damaged or deteriorated, but preventing the ingress of dirt (2.1.3 (g) (i)) MINOR

11/01/2023 - Vehicle passed MOT with no advisory notices - 28476
12/01/2022 - Vehicle passed MOT with no advisory notices - 25345
11/01/2021 - Vehicle passed MOT with no advisory notices - 23269
13/01/2020 - Vehicle passed MOT with no advisory notices - 21912
15/01/2019 - Vehicle passed MOT with no advisory notices - 19313
09/01/2018 - Vehicle passed MOT with no advisory notices - 16902

The vehicle is being offered for £6501, which is on the higher side, but it's from a dealership, and I want some level of confidence, this being my first car.

Apart from the failed 2024 MOT, what else would stand out with this vehicle?

Thanks in advance!

fatbelly

Seems to have been consistently lightly used and nothing in the mot history to cause any concerns.

That is a top price so I would expect it to come with good tyres and full service history. Not sure what the story is with timing belts on these.

A lot of Corsas seem to be run by elderly people and be low mileage. As long as it's been cared for, should be as good as any other 10 y-o car

CliveOfIndia

jun4k said:

Apart from the failed 2024 MOT, what else would stand out with this vehicle?

The thing that jumps out to me immediately is the mileage - 33K on a 10 year old car?  Either it's been sitting unused for long periods, or else it's only ever done very short trips to the shops and back - either of which are not good for an engine.

The MOT history itself gives no cause for concern, and it may have been very well looked after.  But the mileage would worry me.

At the very least you'd want to make sure you take it for a really good test drive, in particular look for any signs of engine/gearbox/transmission issues.  It might be an idea to get a professional AA/RAC inspection if you're seriously considering buying it after you've given it a good look-over and test drive yourself.

Mildly_Miffed

CliveOfIndia said:

The thing that jumps out to me immediately is the mileage - 33K on a 10 year old car?  Either it's been sitting unused for long periods, or else it's only ever done very short trips to the shops and back - either of which are not good for an engine.

This, with bells on.

10yo Corsa, couple of thousand miles per year... It's "spot-the-demographic" time.

Bet the corners are all battered, and the clutch is worn out (and probably been replaced once already) from 5,000rpm parking. At least it's not a diesel.

The ball joint fail on the MOT is irrelevant - they're a consumable.

jun4k

Car has been sold off, so not under consideration anymore. Thanks to all the commenters.