Faults:

Plugs leads replaced at 45,000 miles after bad damp-starting (dealer and earlier Network-Q inspection never spotted this - my brother-in-law needed just 5 minutes). The dealer loses marks because of this.

EGR valve replaced at 60,000 miles.

General Comments:

This car never broke down, despite (or maybe because of) the high mileage.

Performance was feeble, but that's not too important on crowded British roads, and it was very economical for an 8-valve engine: 45mpg without trying, and close to 50mpg with careful driving.

Cheap, skinny tyres (145's) demand gentle cornering, and the bumpy ride feels like you're driving a go-kart, but I loved this car enough to buy another Corsa; I'll review that one another time...

Faults:

Wheel trims kept falling off at high speed.

Radio/Cassette stopped working for 3 months and then started again, has nasty habit of eating tapes.

Hazard light switch was unable to turn off, then LED broke.

The horn failed and exhaust fell off over a speed bump.

General Comments:

Not a bad car, but maybe more solid and reliable than others in its class.

Faults:

Hazzard switch stuck and had to be replaced, Vauxhall didn't charge us for it after we complained that it wasn't under warranty, apparently everything was covered up to the switch.

Passenger seat was not fitted to the rails properly, potentially dangerous, fixed by dealer free of charge.

Rear brake cylinder replaced after 42,000 miles.

General Comments:

Extremely reliable car, never let us down. But not for speed freaks, quick it is not.

Quite fun to drive really, like most small cars, a bit like driving a go-kart.

Handling isn't particularly good, bit scary at times.

Cramped interior, wouldn't recommend for tall or large people.

Ideal first car.

Faults:

* The speedo stopped working, but was repaired under warranty. Sod's law, the warranty has recently expired, and the problem has returned!

* Cambelt pulley's replaced under a recall scheme by Vauxhall.

General Comments:

I bought this car as I couldn't afford the insurance on a Calibra 16v, and have been pleasantly surprised with it.

I've now done nearly 30,000 miles, and although I drive it hard, it's never returned less than 38mpg, and usually gives around 44mpg.

The 0-60 time of 10 seconds is brilliant for a group 6 insurance car, and often surprises the Nova SR and early XR2 drivers away from the lights! It also performs much better than you'd expect with four adults in the car, with no change downs necessary on the motorway.

The only reservation I do have is that of interior trim quality. I've got a 12" sub in the boot, and it has mercilessly exposed every weak piece of trim in the car!

If you're after a cheap to run and insure but surprisingly nippy car, you could do a lot worse than one of these.

Faults:

Some dashboard lights have broken or flicker.

Half of rear demister broke.

Rear doors sometimes refuse to open even when unlocked.

Exhaust fell off (Although this was partly to do with speedbumps).

General Comments:

Very slow car, with very stingy equipment levels considering it was the top-of-the-range model at the time eg. no sunroof or electric windows.

Also it's very slow, cramped for the driver if you are 6ft+.

And did I mention it's VERY slow.

Faults:

Have had no problems with this car.

General Comments:

A very good reliable small car.

Faults:

Stereo illumination failed.

General Comments:

Have had car for 12 months now, has 74,000 miles (ex rep car) and love it to bits. Fairly cheap to run. Comfy, even on long journeys. Plenty of headroom for tall people like myself.

Extremely reliable, never had any problems starting/running.

All in a smart car, next car will be a 1.6 Corsa or an Astra.