Faults:

Oil and coolant leaks.

Clutch.

Rattly suspension even after new shocks and springs.

Climate control works when it likes.

Doors stiff, creaking and rubber seals peeling away.

Very worn interior.

Exterior horrific - rust starting on every panel (looked OK when bought). And worse than that - entire sub-frame is rotting/corroded and the car will not pass MOT.

General Comments:

For clarity, this car was purchased a year and half ago with full history and from a reputable dealer. I also drove it carefully and looked after it.

But I have never had a car rust so bad since the 1970's! This car looked OK when bought and MOT showed no advisory - but when I got it done I was advised to scrap the car it was so bad!

And it was not cheap either, the car cost me nearly £3000 initially. Not a lot of money to some people, but it is to me!

Yes it is nearly 14 years old now, but it was a looked after car apparently. And my neighbor has a 2009 Fiesta with no rust!

On the plus side, a good Corsa can be economical, OK to drive and comfy seats. SXi model is good. Driving position is nice for a smaller car.

But for the love of God - make sure you have a mechanic check out an older Corsa if you are thinking of buying one!! And do not pay too much - there is way too much overpriced rubbish out there on the used car market these days. Yes prices have gone up for everything, but that should be reflected in quality. No way should a £3000 car be this bad.

Faults:

A lot of wear and tear items for the age and mileage - exhaust, suspension, brakes, etc.

The car had all services as far as I am aware. Small oil leak coming from rocker cover gasket, not a big deal.

The car wouldn't start one day - my fault, flat battery that I should have replaced sooner as I knew it was getting old.

Original radio won't work.

Interior and exterior have seen better days, looks a well used car and worn, but no nasty rust or anything on the outside, and the seats, although a bit flat now, have stood up well to heavy family use.

General Comments:

The Corsa has always been an ideal run about car for families, and mine was no different. Economical to run and cheap to buy, it is an ideal car for almost anyone.

My car is black, 1.4 Exclusiv model. Pretty basic but not quite bottom of range. It has electric windows in the front, climate control, etc. Typical spec for this car and time period.

Ride is comfortable enough and so are the seats, but a bit cramped inside, but it is a small car. Great around town, but a little stretched on motorway or longer drives.

1.4 petrol does about 45 mpg, insurance is cheap and servicing and repairs are reasonable, cannot say fairer than that. OK to drive.

It is 13 years old and over the infamous 100,000 mile mark, but we will be keeping this car in the family as a second car for as long as possible, it has been a great little car. I have since moved on to a Vauxhall Insignia which is obviously a bigger and more powerful car in every way, but still respect the Corsa for being what it is - just a small economy car for anyone that wants to be on the road as cheaply as possible.