Vauxhall Corsa Electric: reliability & safety rating
Don't be put off by its four-star Euro NCAP crash-test rating; the Corsa Electric comes loaded with safety kit
| Euro NCAP | Adult protection | Child protection | Safety assist |
|---|---|---|---|
| 4 stars (2019) | 84% | 86% | 69% |
Vauxhall doesn’t have the strongest reputation for reliability, but following its takeover by the PSA Group (now Stellantis) in 2017, it has turned its fortunes around somewhat. On the safety front, the Corsa's four-star Euro NCAP crash-test rating (out of a maximum of five) shouldn't be too much cause for concern. The tests have become ever-more stringent in recent years and are now much tougher to pass than before.
That said, while the Vauxhall shares its rating with sister car the Peugeot 208, the latest Renault Clio was awarded the full five stars thanks to a super-impressive 96% score for adult occupant protection. Still, the Vauxhall’s safety kit list (detailed below) is long and reliability should be on the up.
Vauxhall Corsa Electric reliability & problems
Surprisingly – especially given how many Vauxhall has sold recently – the Corsa Electric didn’t make it onto our list of the top 75 cars in 2023’s Driver Power owner satisfaction survey. The mechanically-similar Vauxhall Mokka SUV managed to squeeze in, though (75th place) with buyers praising ride and handling but slating its build quality and lack of interior space.
Vauxhall as a brand didn’t do so well either, ranking a below-average 24th out of 32 manufacturers. Over 24% of owners reported a fault with their cars within the first year of ownership, although it’s worth noting that this figure is mostly comprised of petrol-powered cars. EVs should, in theory, be more reliable thanks to having fewer moving parts.
Safety
The Vauxhall Corsa missed out on a full five-star Euro NCAP crash-test rating when it was assessed back in 2019. However, respective scores of 84% and 86% for adult and child occupant protection shouldn’t be scoffed at and if it wasn’t for a slightly lower score for driver-assistance systems, there’s a chance Vauxhall might have nabbed that final star.
All Corsa Electric models get lane-departure warning with lane-keeping assistance, speed-limit recognition, driver drowsiness warning, forward collision alert and automatic emergency braking with pedestrian detection. You also get the usual ISOFIX child-seat fixings on the outer rear seats.
GS models and above get a 180-degree reversing camera, while Corsa Electric Ultimate models boast blind spot monitoring for easier lane changes. While not technically listed as a safety feature, the Ultimate’s Matrix LED lights maintain high-beam by illuminating individual bulbs to give you a clearer view at night.
