Vauxhall Corsa (2017–2021)

Vauxhall Corsa (2017–2021)

What is it?

This is the car you’ve seen more often than your own postman. It’s everywhere. Britain’s faithful little hatchback, the one that’s been hammered by learner drivers, parallel-parked into kerbs and still soldiers on. By 2017 the Corsa had evolved into a sensible, everyday companion. Not glamorous, not exciting, but utterly dependable.

What’s it great at?

It’s great at being invisible. Seriously. You’ll never notice it in a car park, nobody will ever point at it on the motorway, and no one will ever say, “Wow, nice Corsa.” And that’s exactly the point. It’s cheap, it’s cheerful and it does everything you ask of it without fuss or melodrama. Perfect for young drivers, families who don’t care about badges, and anyone who values practicality over posing.

What’s it like to drive?

It’s fine. Just fine. The steering is light enough to twirl with a single finger, the gearbox won’t make you swear, and the ride is more comfortable than you’d expect from something this size. But don’t go in expecting fireworks. Even the punchier petrols are more “quiet hum” than “thundering roar.” It’s not a car that thrills, it’s a car that simply… exists. And sometimes, that’s all you want.

How reliable is it?

Think of the Corsa as that friend who always turns up on time, never causes drama, and drinks exactly one pint before going home. Not exciting, but dependable. Engines are sturdy, parts are cheap and mechanics know them inside out. If it does go wrong, you won’t need to auction off a kidney to fix it.

How comfortable and spacious is it?

For something this small, it’s not bad. Four adults will fit without staging a mutiny, and the boot will happily swallow the weekly shop. The seats are soft enough for a long motorway slog, and the dashboard is as straightforward as a pub lunch menu. Nothing fancy, nothing confusing — just good, honest simplicity.

How economical is it to run?

Very. Insurance groups are low, fuel economy is strong and servicing won’t keep you awake at night. It’s basically the automotive equivalent of supermarket own-brand bread: cheap, filling and perfectly decent, even if no one’s raving about it.

How safe is it?

Surprisingly solid. Multiple airbags, stability control and respectable crash-test scores mean it won’t fold up like a deckchair in a breeze. Later models even came with some clever driver aids, though you won’t be mistaking it for a Mercedes S-Class.

Is there anything I should look out for?

Yes — signs of abuse. Many Corsas were driven like stolen cars… because sometimes they actually were. Learners, boy racers, student commuters — the Corsa has seen it all. Check the clutch, the brakes and the interior for scars of past battles. A well-kept one is brilliant; a neglected one could be a rolling disaster.

Should I buy it?

Yes, if you want a car that will simply get on with life. The Vauxhall Corsa isn’t about thrills, or bragging rights, or impressing your neighbours. It’s about value, dependability and no-nonsense motoring. Buy one, and you’ll probably never fall in love with it — but you’ll never curse it either. And that’s more than can be said for plenty of cars costing twice as much