Used Vauxhall Corsa E (2014–19) vs MINI Hatch F56 (2014–24)
Figures updated
Shopping for a used supermini? We compare the Vauxhall Corsa E (2014–2019) and MINI Hatch F56 (2014–2024), which were on sale at the same time, on size, boot space, performance, safety and running costs, plus how cars of their age do in real MOT tests.
The short answer
The MINI Hatch F56 comes out ahead, with the better MOT record; the Vauxhall Corsa E is close on everything else.
- The MINI Hatch F56 has the better MOT record for its age: the MINI Hatch F56 fails its MOT 27% less often than average for its age (15% of MINI Hatches built 2014–2021 failed first time in 2024, against 21% of all cars that age), while the Vauxhall Corsa E fails its MOT 29% more often than average for its age (31% of Vauxhall Corsas built 2014–2019 failed first time in 2024, against 24% of all cars that age).
- Watch the steering on a Vauxhall Corsa E: it fails on them 2.4 times as often as the average car.
- Watch the exhaust and emissions on a MINI Hatch F56: it fails on them 1.4 times as often as the average car.
| Figure | Vauxhall Corsa ECorsa E (2014–2019), 5-door hatchback | MINI Hatch F56F56 (2014–2024), 3-door hatchback |
|---|---|---|
| Price and practicality | ||
| Body | 5-door hatchback | 3-door hatchback |
| Seats | 5 (best) | 4 |
| BootSeats up / folded | – | 211 litres / 731 |
| Length | 4,021mm | 3,821mm |
| WidthWithout mirrors | – | 1,727mm |
| Height | – | 1,414mm |
| Performance | ||
| Power | – | 95–231 PS |
| 0–62mph | – | 6.1–11.0 sec |
| Safety | ||
| Euro NCAP ratingTests get tougher each year | ★★★★★ (2014) | ★★★★★ (2014) |
| Economy and emissions | ||
| Fuel types | – | Diesel, Electric, Petrol |
| Official economyVersions of this generation | – | 41.5–83.1 mpg |
| CO2 | – | 89–147 g/km |
| Electric range | – | 180–239 miles |
| Running costs at 7,500 miles a year | ||
| Petrol or hybrid171.7p a litre, today's UK average | – | £1,307 (44.8 mpg) |
| Diesel198.4p a litre | – | £887 (76.3 mpg) |
| Electric, charged at home26.3p per kWh standard tariff | – | £438 (5 mi/kWh) |
| Cheapest version to fuelWhichever fuel costs least | – | £438 (electric) |
| Car tax, registered 2001 to 2017Taxed on CO2; newer cars pay a flat £200 | – | £20 to £445 |
| Reliability from real MOT tests | ||
| Reliability score | 80Well below average | 113Above average (best) |
| Failed first time, cars of this generation's ageUK rate for cars the same age in brackets | 31.2% (24.2%)built 2014–2019 | 15.1% (20.7%)built 2014–2021 (best) |
| Failed MOT first time (ages 3–20) | 35.3% | 24.7% (best) |
| Failed at 3 years old | 15.4% | 10.8% (best) |
| Failed at 5 years old | 19.7% | 12.7% (best) |
| Failed at 10 years old | 41.5% | 23.3% (best) |
| Most common MOT fault | Coil spring (5.2% of tests) | Position lamp (3.9% of tests) |
| Fails more than average on | Steering (2.4×), Exhaust and emissions (1.7×) | Exhaust and emissions (1.4×) |
| MOT tests analysed | 896,932 | 630,667 |
| About the cars | ||
| Type | Supermini | Supermini |
| Owners' average miles a year | 6,800 | 6,500 |
| On sale | 2014–2019 | 2014–2024 |
Green marks the better figure where the difference is more than 3%. Reliability figures cover every version of each model tested in the year. Running costs use the typical official economy of recent versions (WLTP where available); real-world economy is usually a little worse for every car.
More comparisons
Frequently asked questions
›Is a used Vauxhall Corsa E or MINI Hatch F56 more reliable?
The MINI Hatch F56. Compared with all cars the same age, the MINI Hatch F56 fails its MOT 27% less often than average and the Vauxhall Corsa E 29% more often than average (DVSA MOT tests, 2024). Because they're different ages, their raw rates differ: 15.1% of MINI Hatches built 2014–2021 failed first time, and 31.2% of Vauxhall Corsas built 2014–2019. Whatever you buy, check the MOT history of the exact car.
›Which is bigger, the Vauxhall Corsa E or the MINI Hatch F56?
The Vauxhall Corsa E is 200mm longer (4,021mm against 3,821mm).
›Which is safer, the Vauxhall Corsa E or the MINI Hatch F56?
Euro NCAP gave the Vauxhall Corsa E 4 stars (2014) and the MINI Hatch F56 4 stars (2014). Euro NCAP makes its tests tougher every few years, so ratings from different years aren't directly comparable.
›Should I buy the Vauxhall Corsa E or the MINI Hatch F56?
The MINI Hatch F56 comes out ahead, with the better MOT record; the Vauxhall Corsa E is close on everything else. The comparison above sets out price, space, performance, safety, running costs and reliability side by side.
Sources: manufacturers' UK specifications and price lists and Euro NCAP (listed on each model's page); DVSA anonymised MOT tests 2024 (Open Government Licence v3.0); Vehicle Certification Agency car fuel data, © Crown copyright, VCA cannot accept liability for its accuracy; fuel prices from the GOV.UK Fuel Finder scheme. Photos from Wikimedia Commons, credited under each picture.