Used Vauxhall Corsa E (2014–19) vs Volkswagen Polo Mk5 (2009–17)
Figures updated
Shopping for a used supermini? We compare the Vauxhall Corsa E (2014–2019) and Volkswagen Polo Mk5 (2009–2017), 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 Volkswagen Polo Mk5 comes out ahead, with the better MOT record; the Vauxhall Corsa E is close on everything else.
- Euro NCAP safety: Vauxhall Corsa E 4 stars (2014), Volkswagen Polo Mk5 5 stars (2009). Ratings from different years aren't directly comparable, as the tests get tougher.
- The Volkswagen Polo Mk5 has the better MOT record for its age: the Volkswagen Polo Mk5 fails its MOT 7% more often than average for its age (34% of Volkswagen Polos built 2009–2017 failed first time in 2024, against 32% 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 steering on a Volkswagen Polo Mk5: it fails on them 1.6 times as often as the average car.
| Figure | Vauxhall Corsa ECorsa E (2014–2019), 5-door hatchback | Volkswagen Polo Mk5Mk5 (2009–2017), 5-door hatchback |
|---|---|---|
| Price and practicality | ||
| Body | 5-door hatchback | 5-door hatchback |
| Seats | 5 | 5 |
| BootSeats up / folded | – | 280 litres / 952 |
| Length | 4,021mm | 3,970mm |
| WidthWithout mirrors | – | 1,682mm |
| Height | – | 1,462mm |
| Performance | ||
| Power | – | 60–192 PS |
| 0–62mph | – | 6.7–16.1 sec |
| Safety | ||
| Euro NCAP ratingTests get tougher each year | ★★★★★ (2014) | ★★★★★ (2009) |
| Economy and emissions | ||
| Fuel types | – | Diesel, Petrol |
| Official economyVersions of this generation | – | 47.1–76.3 mpg |
| CO2 | – | 97–140 g/km |
| Running costs at 7,500 miles a year | ||
| Petrol or hybrid171.4p a litre, today's UK average | – | £992 (58.9 mpg) |
| Diesel198.4p a litre | – | £910 (74.3 mpg) |
| Cheapest version to fuelWhichever fuel costs least | – | £910 (diesel) |
| Car tax, registered 2001 to 2017Taxed on CO2; newer cars pay a flat £200 | – | £20 to £410 |
| Reliability from real MOT tests | ||
| Reliability score | 80Well below average | 87Below 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 | 34.2% (31.9%)built 2009–2017 (best) |
| Failed MOT first time (ages 3–20) | 35.3% | 32.9% (best) |
| Failed at 3 years old | 15.4% | 11.8% (best) |
| Failed at 5 years old | 19.7% | 19.9% |
| Failed at 10 years old | 41.5% | 34.3% (best) |
| Most common MOT fault | Coil spring (5.2% of tests) | Pins and bushes (3.1% of tests) |
| Fails more than average on | Steering (2.4×), Exhaust and emissions (1.7×) | Steering (1.6×), Body and structure (1.5×) |
| MOT tests analysed | 896,932 | 600,518 |
| About the cars | ||
| Type | Supermini | Supermini |
| Owners' average miles a year | 6,800 | 6,700 |
| On sale | 2014–2019 | 2009–2017 |
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 Volkswagen Polo Mk5 more reliable?
The Volkswagen Polo Mk5. Compared with all cars the same age, the Volkswagen Polo Mk5 fails its MOT 7% more 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: 34.2% of Volkswagen Polos built 2009–2017 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 Volkswagen Polo Mk5?
The Vauxhall Corsa E is 51mm longer (4,021mm against 3,970mm).
›Which is safer, the Vauxhall Corsa E or the Volkswagen Polo Mk5?
Euro NCAP gave the Vauxhall Corsa E 4 stars (2014) and the Volkswagen Polo Mk5 5 stars (2009). 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 Volkswagen Polo Mk5?
The Volkswagen Polo Mk5 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.