Opel Corsa E (2014-2019): known problems and buying guide

Built
2014–2019
Median price
€6,999
Listings
2,648
Running cost per month
€352–€426
Power
70–150 PS (51–110 kW)
Reliability
3/5
DIY
2/5

Electric steering and oil loss are the costly ones. Check the steering warning light, the oil level and the last TÜV report first.

All versions

VariantRunning cost per monthMedian priceListingsFuelEngine codesGearboxProduction years
1.4 ECOTEC, 90 PS, 5-speed manual Research€394€7,299958LPG / Petrol B14XER, LDDManual (5)2014–2019
1.2, 70 PS, 5-speed manual Research€407€6,490577Petrol B12XER, LDCManual (5)2014–2019
1.4 Turbo, 100 PS, 6-speed manual Research€387€7,300289Petrol B14NEL, LUJManual (6)2014–2019
1.0 ECOTEC, 90 PS, 6-speed manual Research€375€6,200218Petrol B10XFT, LE1Manual (6)2014–2018
1.4 ecoFlex, 90 PS, 5-speed automated manual Research€375€9,599166Petrol B14XER, LDDAutomatisiertes Schaltgetriebe (5)2014–2018
1.4, 90 PS, 6-speed automatic Research€426€9,599166Petrol B14XER, LDDAutomatic (6)2014–2019
1.3 CDTI, 75 PS, 5-speed manual €369€5,999144Diesel B13DTE, B14XER, LDD, LKUManual (5)2014–2018
1.4 Turbo, 150 PS, 6-speed manual Research€426€8,990119Petrol (98) B14NET, LUJManual (6)2015–2019
1.3 CDTI, 95 PS, 5-speed manual €352€6,20093Diesel B13DTR opt.LKUManual (5)2014–2018
1.3 CDTI, 95 PS, 6-speed manual €371€6,20093Diesel B13DTR opt.LKUManual (6)2014–2018
1.0 DI, 115 PS, 6-speed manual Research€384€6,99986Petrol B10XFT, LE1Manual (6)2014–2018

At a glance

  • Years: built from 2014 until summer 2019.
  • Engines: 1.0 three-cylinder turbo, 1.2 and 1.4 petrol, 1.4 Turbo, and 1.3 CDTI diesel.
  • Issues that matter most: electric steering faults, oil loss and ignition coils. Brakes fail the TÜV more often than average.
  • Reliability: 3/5. Few faults repeat across sources, but a steering module costs several hundred euros.
  • DIY: 2/5. The steering module needs coding and a scanner.
  • Prefer: a car with a full service book and a record of oil checks. Avoid: a car with oil marks under it or a steering warning light on.

Engines and gearboxes

  • 1.0 three-cylinder turbo, 66 kW/90 PS and 85 kW/115 PS, manual only: no common engine fault confirmed.
  • 1.2 petrol, 51 kW/70 PS: no common engine fault confirmed.
  • 1.4 petrol, 66 kW/90 PS: no common engine fault confirmed.
  • 1.4 Turbo, 74 kW/100 PS and 110 kW/150 PS (S and GSi): one German garage reports oil use. See oil use and leaks.
  • 1.3 CDTI diesel, 55 kW/75 PS and 70 kW/95 PS: one garage reports oil leaks from the turbo and the valve cover. See oil use and leaks.
  • Manual gearbox: no common fault confirmed.
  • Easytronic automated manual: rare. See Maintenance.

Known issues

Issue Affects Typical km Repair cost
Ignition coils and misfire Petrol engines Not given About 212 GBP per coil pack (UK average, year not stated)
Electric power steering faults All engines 80,000 to 120,000 km Module with coding 480-780 EUR; diagnosis 120-220 EUR (Germany, year not stated, net of VAT)
Oil use and leaks 1.4 Turbo (oil use); 1.3 CDTI (turbo and valve cover) Valve cover gasket 80,000 to 120,000 km; turbo from over 150,000 km Diagnosis 180-260 EUR (Germany, year not stated, net of VAT)
Brakes fail the inspection more often Foot and parking brake Not given Not given
Drive-shaft boots All engines Not given Not given

Before you buy

  1. Steering warning light. Start the car and watch the dash for the steering warning. Bad result: the light is on, or the steering assist cuts out. A module with coding costs 480-780 EUR (Germany, year not stated, net of VAT).
  2. Oil level and leaks. Check the dipstick and look at the parking spot and the engine. Bad result: low oil, or oil marks on the ground or the engine. A diagnosis costs 180-260 EUR (Germany, year not stated, net of VAT).
  3. Misfire check. Run a scanner with the engine idling. Bad result: stored misfire faults or a rough idle. A coil pack costs about 212 GBP (UK average, year not stated).
  4. TÜV report. Ask for the last TÜV report. Bad result: brake defects listed, or a parking brake that does not hold. Brakes fail the inspection more often than average.
  5. Drive-shaft boots. Look at the rubber boots behind the front wheels. Bad result: a cracked or torn boot.
  6. Service book. Look for a full service book. Bad result: gaps, or no oil entries.
  7. Recalls. Ask an Opel dealer to check the VIN for open recalls. Bad result: an open recall.

Running costs

Operational€162
Workshop€111
Fixed costs (tax, insurance)€115
Total per month€388
New-car depreciation (not included)€41

ADAC figures for 15,000 km a year over 60 months

Market

Listings on mobile.de priced up to 50,000 EUR, 29 October 2026.

Find offers on mobile.de

Listings
2,648
25th percentile
€5,800
Median price
€6,999
75th percentile
€8,690
Median mileage
102,000 km
Median first registration
2017
Dealer share
67.8%
Price at 100,000 km
€7,464

To check a listing's price, open its variant in the table above. Each variant page has a price check.

In detail

Ignition coils and misfire

Worn ignition coil packs cause misfire, where a cylinder does not fire. The coil packs make the spark. A UK garage lists them as a Corsa fault. A German buyer guide says the coils fail more often, on petrol engines. A German used car check says the coils can cause trouble now and then. A coil pack replacement costs about 212 GBP on average in the UK (year not stated).

Sources: Who Can Fix My Car, common problems with the Vauxhall Corsa, Autoplenum, used car check Opel Corsa E, gebrauchtwagenberater, Opel Corsa E problems

Electric power steering faults

The steering warning light comes on, and the power assist can drop out now and then. Faults are typically in the steering motor or module, from about 80,000 to 120,000 km. A German garage names voltage dips as a likely trigger. A weak battery can also cause false warnings, so check the battery first.

A diagnosis and adaption costs 120-220 EUR. A new module with coding costs 480-780 EUR (Germany, year not stated, net of VAT).

Sources: Kfz-Dietrich, typical Opel Corsa problems, gaga.ba, Opel Corsa E 1.3 CDTI common failures

Oil use and leaks

Some engines burn oil. A German garage measures 0.8 to 1.5 litres per 1,000 km on the 1.4 Turbo. It blames coked piston rings, sometimes with a worn turbo. The same garage gives the GM warranty limit as 1 litre per 1,000 km. A German used car check says the Corsa tends to lose oil, and to check the parking spot for drips.

On the 1.3 CDTI, a garage reports turbo bearing wear from more than 150,000 km, which leaks oil. It also reports a valve cover gasket that hardens and leaks, usually at 80,000 to 120,000 km.

Diagnosis (endoscope and compression test) costs 180-260 EUR (Germany, year not stated, net of VAT).

Sources: Kfz-Dietrich, typical Opel Corsa problems, Autohaus, used car check Opel Corsa, gaga.ba, Opel Corsa E 1.3 CDTI common failures

Brakes fail the inspection more often

In the German TÜV inspection, the foot brake and the parking brake fail more often than the segment average. A German buyer guide also lists the brakes among the parts the TÜV often faults. Another used car check says the brake function is often faulted, while the brake parts themselves are fine. No repair cost is given.

Sources: Autoplenum, used car check Opel Corsa E, gebrauchtwagenberater, Opel Corsa E problems, Autohaus, used car check Opel Corsa

Drive-shaft boots

The rubber dust boot on the drive shaft can crack. A used car check names this. A Russian owner also replaced a torn inner boot. No repair cost is given.

Sources: Autoplenum, used car check Opel Corsa E, Drive2, Opel Corsa E owner posts

Recalls

No recall for this generation is confirmed by our sources. Ask an Opel dealer to check the VIN for open recalls before you buy.

Maintenance

  • Oil: check the oil level between services. The 1.4 Turbo uses 0.8 to 1.5 litres per 1,000 km, according to one garage.
  • Easytronic: the clutch of this automated manual needs a regular adaptation in the workshop. Ask for it in the service book.
  • Drive-shaft boots: look at the boots at every service.
  • Brakes: check the brakes and the parking brake at every service, since they fail the TÜV inspection more often than average.

Sources: Kfz-Dietrich, typical Opel Corsa problems, auto.ru, six problematic robotised gearboxes

Sources

English

German

Russian