2012 Vauxhall Corsa 1.2L Petrol · BV12 ABZ

The 1.2-litre petrol Vauxhall Corsa is one of the most economical cars to run in its class, with real-world fuel economy typically between 40 and 50 mpg depending on driving style. Road tax for a 2012 petrol Corsa with this engine size falls into a low VED bracket, costing around £35 per year. Insurance should be very affordable, with the 1.2 petrol Corsa sitting in insurance group 3 to 5, making it particularly attractive to younger or new drivers.

Typical annual maintenance for a Corsa of this age tends to be modest, with routine items such as brake pads, tyres, and service items being the main expenses. Based on the MOT history, tyre replacement is likely to be an immediate cost — a full set of four budget tyres will set you back around £200 to £280 fitted. The 2012 Corsa uses timing chains rather than belts in the 1.2 engine, which removes one significant maintenance cost. Overall, expect annual running costs in the region of £1,000 to £1,400 when including fuel, tax, insurance, and routine servicing.

Start by closely inspecting all four tyres for tread depth, cracking, and perishing — the 2026 MOT flagged issues on three tyres, including nearside front and nearside rear both being at just 3.0mm tread. Perishing and cracking on the rear tyres suggests they may be ageing out regardless of tread, so check the DOT date codes on the sidewalls. Inspect both headlamps to confirm the offside front dipped beam is functioning correctly and that the headlamp aim is within specification, as this has been a recurring failure point in 2025 and 2026.

The oil leak advisory from the 2024 MOT warrants a physical inspection underneath the car. Look for fresh oil residue around the engine, particularly around the rocker cover, sump plug, and front crankshaft area. On the test drive, check that the engine starts cleanly from cold, listen for any unusual timing chain rattle on startup, and confirm there are no warning lights on the dashboard. Finally, check the nearside rear brake light operation and test all other lights, as the 2026 failure noted the stop lamp was not working. Vauxhall Corsa models from this era are also known for coil spring failure and worn ball joints — both in the top three failure reasons for this model nationally — so bounce each corner of the car and listen for knocking noises over speed bumps.