Toyota Yaris vs Vauxhall Corsa: which is the better used buy?

On DVSA MOT records the Toyota Yaris is the more reliable used buy: it passes its first MOT 8.8 percentage points more often than the Vauxhall Corsa once both are compared against what the national fleet scores at the same age. That comparison covers 143,797 real tests, not a survey.

MOT first-time pass rate

Counted from DVSA’s anonymised MOT test records. “vs age-matched” compares each model against what the national fleet scores at the same age — the only fair better-or-worse number, because an older fleet fails more whatever its build quality.

Model	Pass rate	Age-matched national	Difference	Tests
Toyota Yaris	79.5%	75.7%	+3.8	49,396
Vauxhall Corsa	71%	76%	-5	94,401

Source: DVSA MOT Anonymised Data 2025 (Open Government Licence v3.0). National first-time pass rate 77.3%. Applies to Great Britain — Northern Ireland is tested by the DVA under a separate manual.

Toyota Yaris

XP210, 2020+ · supermini hybrid hatch

The XP210 Toyota Yaris Hybrid (2020+) is among the most reliable cars sold in the UK. The hybrid system is solid; minor concerns are early-batch AC compressor failures, the 12V auxiliary battery on cars left unused, and brake squeak (cosmetic, common across all hybrids). The pre-2020 XP130 had rear-beam corrosion in coastal areas — XP210 unaffected. Best-buy: any year. Worst: none.

What goes wrong

AC compressor (early-batch)moderate
AC blows warm; clicking from compressor
Early 2020 production · £650–£950 compressor + regas
Check: Test AC during inspection — should be cold within 1 minute on a warm day.
12V auxiliary battery (unused cars)minor
Hybrid system won't wake; "READY" not appearing
All XP210 · Battery age 4–5 years · £220–£350
Check: Toyota battery health check at dealer (£20–£30).
Brake squeak (regen)minor
Squeak at low speeds, fades with speed
All hybrids · Cosmetic
Check: Common, not a fault.
Touch 2 infotainment lagminor
Slow CarPlay response
2020–2022 · No fix — software limitation
Check: Use 10+ minutes during test drive to assess if liveable.

Typical asking price:: £14,000–£22,000 (2020–2024)
Real-world economy:: 63–74 mpg hybrid — best-in-class
Vehicle tax:: £200/year standard rate from the second year, hybrids included — the alternative-fuel discount ended on 1 April 2025. Cars registered 2001–2017 pay a CO2 band, roughly £20–£790/year (2026/27 rates).
Best years:: 2020, 2021, 2022, 2023, 2024

Full Yaris fault guide Used Toyotas

Vauxhall Corsa

Mk5 (E) 2014–2019, Mk6 (F) 2019+ · supermini / city hatch

The Vauxhall Corsa Mk6 (2019+) uses the PSA 1.2 PureTech engine, which is efficient but runs its timing belt in engine oil — the "wet belt" that has caused engine failures across Peugeot, Citroën and Vauxhall. It is a service item, not a lottery: Stellantis cut the interval to 6 years or 62,000 miles, so what matters is whether the belt has been done, not the model year. The older Mk5 (2014–2019) with the 1.4 naturally aspirated petrol avoids the issue entirely and is near-bulletproof; its Easytronic automated-manual is the only real risk. Best-buy: Mk5 1.4 manual, or a Mk6 with a documented belt change.

What goes wrong

1.2 PureTech wet timing belt (Mk6)critical
Oil level dropping between services; rattle or whine on cold start; engine warning light; in the worst case sudden oil-pressure loss and engine failure
2019–2023 Mk6 (1.2 PureTech petrol — the wet belt was phased out for a chain from 2023) · Belt is due at 6 years or 62,000 miles, whichever comes first — failures cluster on cars that passed it · £450–£850 at a UK independent for the belt including cleaning the oil pick-up; £4,000+ if the belt has already shed debris and starved the engine
Check: This engine runs its timing belt submerged in engine oil. As the belt ages it sheds rubber particles, and those particles block the oil pick-up strainer — so the belt does not usually snap, it starves the engine instead. Ask one question: has the belt been changed, and is there an invoice? Stellantis revised the interval down to 6 years or 62,000 miles with annual oil changes on the correct 5W-30, so a 2019–2020 car is at or past it now. Pull the dipstick and treat a low level as a red flag. Stellantis also runs a UK compensation portal covering qualifying wet-belt repairs paid for between January 2022 and December 2024, and a warranty extension of up to 10 years / 112,000 miles on these engines — worth checking before you accept any quote.
Easytronic automated-manual (Mk5)major
Hesitation and shuddering in slow traffic; clutch actuator warning; slow gearchanges
Mk5 with Easytronic (not the 5-speed manual) · 50,000+ miles · £600–£1,200 clutch actuator + clutch plate; full Easytronic overhaul £1,500+
Check: Test drive in stop-start traffic only. Smooth clutch engagement on pull-away is the test. Any shudder = actuator worn. Check exactly which gearbox is fitted — Easytronic vs manual via VIN.
Electric power steering (EPS) failuremoderate
"Power Steering" warning; heavy steering; loss of assistance at low speeds
Mk5 and early Mk6 · 60,000+ miles · £450–£900 EPS motor or control unit
Check: Test power steering at parking lot speeds. Should be effortless. Any heaviness or warning = EPS issue.
Brake booster failure (Mk5)moderate
Hard brake pedal requiring heavy foot pressure; longer stopping distances
Mk5 2014–2019 · 75,000+ miles · £350–£600
Check: Press brake pedal firmly several times with engine off — should feel firm but not rock-hard when engine starts. Hard pedal with engine running = booster suspect.

Typical asking price:: Mk5: £3,500–£9,000 | Mk6: £8,000–£18,000 (2019–2023)
Real-world economy:: 1.2 PureTech: 40–49 mpg. 1.4 N/A (Mk5): 36–44 mpg
Vehicle tax:: £200/year standard rate from the second year, hybrids included — the alternative-fuel discount ended on 1 April 2025. Cars registered 2001–2017 pay a CO2 band, roughly £20–£790/year (2026/27 rates).
Best years:: 2021, 2022, 2023
Years to avoid:: 2019, 2020

Full Corsa fault guide Used Vauxhalls

Which one suits you

Toyota Yaris

Good for: Urban drivers, first-time buyers, anyone prioritising lowest running costs.

Less good for: Long-distance highway commuters wanting cabin space.

Vauxhall Corsa

Good for: First-time buyers on a budget; urban commuters; buyers wanting low running costs. The Mk5 1.4 manual is the most forgiving used car buy in the UK under £10,000.

Less good for: Anyone considering a 2019–2020 Mk6 1.2 PureTech without confirmed service history — the timing chain risk is real. Buyers needing a car primarily for motorway miles (too small for comfort).

Frequently Asked Questions

Which is more reliable, the Toyota Yaris or the Vauxhall Corsa?

The Toyota Yaris. It passes its first MOT 8.8 percentage points more often than the Vauxhall Corsa once both are age-adjusted, across 143,797 DVSA-recorded tests.

What is the MOT pass rate for the Toyota Yaris?

79.5% of Toyota Yariss pass their MOT first time, from 49,396 tests in DVSA's records. The national first-time rate is 77.3%, but cars of this model's age average 75.7% — so it runs 3.8 points better than its age group.

What is the MOT pass rate for the Vauxhall Corsa?

71% of Vauxhall Corsas pass their MOT first time, from 94,401 tests. Against the 76% that cars of its age average, it runs 5 points worse.

Which years should I avoid?

For the Toyota Yaris, No standout bad year in XP210. Pre-2020 XP130 had documented rear-beam corrosion in coastal areas — that generation is the one to avoid. For the Vauxhall Corsa, 2019–2020 Mk6 cars are now past the revised 6-year/62,000-mile belt interval, and this is the failure that matters: the belt degrades in the oil, the debris blocks the oil pick-up, and the engine is starved rather than the belt snapping. A car of these years with no belt invoice is carrying an open-ended risk, and repair once debris has circulated runs well beyond the cost of the belt itself.

Which is cheaper to run?

The Toyota Yaris returns 63–74 mpg hybrid — best-in-class in real UK driving; the Vauxhall Corsa returns 1.2 PureTech: 40–49 mpg. 1.4 N/A (Mk5): 36–44 mpg. Vehicle tax: Yaris — £200/year standard rate from the second year, hybrids included — the alternative-fuel discount ended on 1 April 2025. Cars registered 2001–2017 pay a CO2 band, roughly £20–£790/year (2026/27 rates).; Corsa — £200/year standard rate from the second year, hybrids included — the alternative-fuel discount ended on 1 April 2025. Cars registered 2001–2017 pay a CO2 band, roughly £20–£790/year (2026/27 rates).. Insurance differs mainly by driver and postcode rather than by model, so treat any model-level insurance figure with caution.

MOT figures are counted from DVSA records and are the only measured statistic here. Prices, economy and tax bands are indicative and vary by specification, condition and where the car has lived. Last reviewed: 2026-08-14 / 2026-08-14.