Popular German city car, well-suited for first-time buyers and urban commuting. The 1.4 petrol is more reliable than the troublesome 1.2 Twinport but shares timing chain concerns. Key issues: timing chain wear (especially 60,000-100,000 km), electric power steering column failure (notorious), and split aircon pipes. Build quality on early 2006-2007 cars is below Opel standards. Multiple recalls exist including steering rack, parking brake, and vacuum pump fire risk on 1.4 Turbo models. Not the most reliable small car but parts are cheap and widely available.
Electric power steering column failure€200 - €1,200
Torque sensor wear causes intermittent/total loss of power assist · more· less
This is the most notorious problem on the Corsa D (2006-2014). The electric power steering system is fundamentally flawed. Failure causes complete or intermittent loss of power steering, EPS warning light, and sometimes steering wheel vibration/jumping. The torque sensor inside the column wears with age and cannot be replaced separately - you must replace the entire steering column. Remanufactured columns cost €195-300 with lifetime warranty, while new OEM columns exceed €1,000. DIY installation takes about 1 hour but requires programming to the vehicle. Fault codes include C1002, C5002, C0074, C0051. Extremely common issue affecting most Corsa D models eventually.
The 1.4 A14XER engine uses a timing chain that can show wear as early as 60,000-80,000 km, especially with irregular oil changes or short journeys. The tensioner's pressure relief valve weakens, allowing oil pressure to bleed off overnight. This causes characteristic rattling for 1-30 seconds on cold start. If ignored, the chain can jump teeth and cause catastrophic valve/piston contact. Repair costs: independent garage €250-500, Opel dealer €650-820. Requires chain, guides, tensioner, and sprockets replacement (about 4-6 hours labor). Prevention: oil changes no longer than 10,000 km intervals using 5W-30 spec oil. Earlier 1.2 Twinport had worse issues; the 1.4 is slightly better but still problematic.
Air conditioning pipe split€100 - €800
Pipes near precat split and leak, especially on SRi models · more· less
Extremely common on Corsa D, particularly SRi and VXR variants. The compressor-to-condenser pipe is most prone to failure due to heat from the exhaust precat. Opel/Vauxhall initially used poor-quality pipes that crack and leak refrigerant. OEM replacement costs €260-300 per pipe, and dealers quote €550-800 for repair including regas. Updated pipes (part metal/part rubber with Goodyear branding) are more reliable. DIY option: buy pipes on eBay for €100 and fit yourself (1 hour work after bumper removal). Note: It's illegal to work on AC systems without certification in most European countries. Run AC weekly even in winter to prevent seal degradation.
Wheel bearing failure€70 - €250
Common issue causing grinding, humming noise that increases with speed · more· less
Wheel bearing failure is a known common issue on the Corsa D. Symptoms include grinding/humming/clicking noises that increase with vehicle speed, steering wheel vibrations, uneven tire wear, and wheel wobble. Rear bearings come as complete hub assemblies (€60-106 each, bolt-on replacement). Front bearings are cheaper. Independent garage fitting costs €95-130 for rear, €70-95 for front. One owner reported 4 wheel bearings replaced at only 21,000 miles on an early build car. Don't drive with failed bearings - can damage axle and lead to expensive repairs.
Radiator/coolant leak€100 - €400
Corrosion, physical damage, or water pump failure cause leaks · more· less
Coolant/antifreeze leaks are common on aging Corsa D models. Most likely leak points: radiator connections to hoses, radiator bleed screw, expansion bottle hairline cracks, water pump gasket, or timing chain cover. Radiator replacement costs €300-400. Water pump replacement €100-200. Minor hose/pipe replacement around €20. Can use temporary sealant for minor leaks but proper repair essential - overheating causes expensive head gasket or cracked head damage. Check for coolant smell, drops under car, or temperature gauge rising above normal.
Handbrake cable failure€70 - €100
Cables fray and snap, extremely common on Corsa · more· less
Handbrake cable failure is extremely common on the Corsa D. Cables fray around the quadrants at each side. Multiple recalls affected 2009-2010 models where cable could pop out of support bracket. Don't replace just one cable - the other will snap soon after. Parts cost €5-36 for cables (€18 trade price for pair). Independent garage charges €70-90 including parts and labor for both rear cables. Relatively easy DIY job if mechanically inclined - cables split near drum allowing replacement without removing drum and shoes. However, rusty/snapped bolts can complicate the job.
Breather system problems€7 - €60
Hoses split causing oil smell in cabin, sludge buildup · more· less
The A14XER 1.4 engine uses a closed crankcase ventilation system where the pressure regulation valve (in the camshaft cover) is the weak point. Breather hoses can split end-to-end causing oily smell in the cabin. Replacement hoses cost around €7. Sludge/emulsion (yellow cream-like substance) builds up in breather pipes, requiring periodic cleaning. Installing an oil catch tank (€25-60) can help. Regular oil changes (every 5,000 km rather than manufacturer's 10,000 km recommendation) prevent buildup. Some owners report excessive oil consumption (1 liter per 1,000 miles) related to worn bores or compression blowby. The 1.4 engine holds 3.25-3.5 liters oil; do not overfill above max mark.
Clutch pedal spring failure€19 - €500
Broken spring in pedal box causes pedal to drop, hard gear engagement · more· less
Common issue: clutch pedal drops or biting point changes drastically. Usually caused by a broken spring high up in the pedal box. Vauxhall dealers charge around €1,300 to replace the entire pedal box assembly. Smart fix: buy a replacement spring on eBay for €19 which solves the issue completely. Full clutch replacement (if actually needed) costs €300-500 at independent garages using LUK kit. Clutch should last 80,000-120,000 km with normal driving. Gears hard to engage is also often related to linkage adjustment rather than clutch wear.
Multiple common issues but parts are cheap
The Corsa D has several well-documented problems, particularly the electric power steering column and timing chain. Early production cars (2006-2007) had below-standard build quality with various faults. However, parts availability is excellent and costs are relatively low. Stick to regular oil changes (10,000 km maximum intervals) and address timing chain rattle immediately to avoid expensive engine damage.
Pre-Purchase Inspection Checklist
General checks
Service history
Complete service records essential. Verify oil changes at 10,000 km intervals maximum, ideally less.
Cold start
Must start engine completely cold. Listen carefully for timing chain rattle in first 30 seconds.
Body condition
Check for rust, accident damage, paint mismatch. Early cars had bumper fitment issues.
Test drive
Minimum 20 minutes including city and highway speeds. Test power steering at various speeds.
Specific for this vehicle
Power steering operation
Turn steering wheel at various speeds. Check for intermittent loss of assist, vibration, or EPS warning light. This is the most critical check for Corsa D.
Timing chain rattle on cold start
Start completely cold. Listen for metallic rattle in first 30 seconds. Any rattle longer than 2-3 seconds indicates wear. Walk away if rattle persists.
Air conditioning function
Test AC blows cold air. Check for refrigerant smell indicating pipe leaks. Look under car for oil stains from compressor area.
Wheel bearing noise
Listen for grinding/humming that increases with speed. Drive at 50-80 km/h on smooth road with windows down.
Coolant system inspection
Check coolant level, condition (should be bright, not brown/milky). Look for leaks around radiator, hoses, expansion bottle.
Handbrake operation
Pull handbrake on slope - should hold firmly. Check cable doesn't feel loose or spongy. Multiple recalls on parking brake.
Clutch pedal feel
Pedal should return fully. Check for normal bite point (not too high). Test if spring in pedal box is broken.
Check for oil smell in cabin
Run car with heater on. Oil smell indicates split breather hoses.
Verify recalls completed
Contact Opel/Vauxhall with VIN to verify all safety recalls completed, especially steering rack, parking brake, vacuum pump.
Recalls and Technical Service Bulletins
Steering rack failure under loadComplete loss of control risk - verify completed
Front suspension arms (2007 production)Welding problems cause arm fracture - verify completed
ABS connector water ingress (2006 models)Can overheat or catch fire - verify completed
The Corsa D has had numerous recalls. Contact an Opel/Vauxhall dealer with the VIN to verify all safety recalls have been completed before purchase. The steering rack and parking brake recalls are particularly critical.
Warranty Status
Factory warranty (2 years)Expired on all Corsa D models
Rust perforation warranty (12 years)Check if still valid on 2012-2014 models
All Corsa D models (2006-2014) are now outside their original factory warranty. Extended warranties may be available through third-party providers, but given the age of these vehicles and known issues, carefully evaluate cost vs. benefit. Independent garage repairs are often more economical than warranty premiums.
This report is for informational purposes only and does not constitute professional advice. Estimates may be inaccurate. Always have a qualified specialist inspect the vehicle before purchase. We accept no liability for decisions made based on this information.