My nightmare with the Vauxhall Corsa VXR
Here's the short-lived ownership story between me and a performance Vauxhall
Corsa VXR
Back in 2015 Opel/Vauxhall released the new Corsa VXR. This little pocket rocket has a whopping 205HP with 280NM of Torque on overboost. This power comes from a turbocharged 1.6L 4 cylinder engine that gives off a great, throaty sound thanks to it's Remus twin exit exhaust system. On paper this all sounds really good, doesn't it?
Car park shot
Owning one
Initially, I was impressed with the eagerness of the engine and the high levels of gadgets included inside the car. Included with mine was Apple CarPlay, front and rear parking sensors, a reverse camera, lane departure warning, traffic sign recognition, Automatic Climate Control and automatic headlights/wipers to name a few.
For a small and reasonably priced hatchback the options were good.
Side shot
What went wrong?
Where to start. So after around two months the spoiler came apart from the roof. Thankfully I was in a car park and noticed it before I set off. On the roof of the car where the spoiler once was were two small glue patches.
Yes, I did speak to the car park staff who reviewed their CCTV system to ensure that it wasn't deliberately damaged by a jealous chav, or by a chubby seagull.
I was very angry!
I immediately called the dealership who booked me into a nearby Vauxhall Service Centre. I was then told that it was my fault and that I would have to pay £60 to get it fixed.
In a rage of red mist and hellfire fury, I opened my passenger door, threw the seat forward and strategically placed my now useless spoiler onto the foot well area of the back seats in order to get it to the Service Centre.
Not good, anything else?
Unfortunately, yes there was. After I got my wing fixed I noticed some very loud and downright irritating rattling and vibrating coming from the dashboard and infotainment screen. The screen had come loose slightly, which was causing the parking sensors to constantly beep at full volume. The only way I could solve this was to turn the car off and on again! I also had a similar problem with the entire touch screen failing to load up now and then.
I was starting to think that my relationship with this car just wasn't working.
It was her and not me.
Window trim problems
Around the bottom of the window, and where the glass meets the door was a black rubber trim. The trim on the driver's side came loose. I had to wedge some sticky tac into it to keep it secured whilst I once again returned to the dealership for a moan.
Shocking built quality
What happened?
In the end, I built a file against Vauxhall and contacted the Financial Ombudsmen Service who advised Vauxhall to take back the car in which they agreed. I received my deposit back, along with payment for 'loss of enjoyment'.
There you have it.
I'm sure some of you guys and girls have had similar issues with cars and I'd love to hear them. Let me know in the comments below!
Thanks for reading this article.
Louis - The Three Cylinders.
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Comments (45)
Hmm. Really, anything that GM has built - you'd be better off with something else.
I hear this quite often here in the U.S. and even though anyone who drives a V8 will praise horsepower over common sense, I always loved the JDM cars for their reliability and it's plethora of aftermarket goodies while still keeping it's...
Read moreI wonder if it’ll improve now that PSA have hold of Vauxhall?
Great write up and looks good in blue, but, shame to see Vauxhall quality control hasn't improved since I drove this:
Thanks Richard. It is a real shame as it was a fun car (for a few weeks)
Yikes! 😳
Yup! An absolute nightmare
That explains why they are cheap. It should have a lifetime warranty
Awful isn’t it!
Honestly speaking, at least you have the Financial Ombudsman to back you up. I have been lucky(touch wood) to not have many issues with my Frenchy but I've had a rattle in my car for a year now and have nowhere to turn. No issue with the car, just a rattle while going over bumpy roads. I think something is loose. No one in my area wants to search.
It took 4-5 months of complaining but I got there in the end and got rid of the VXR. If you want some advice on getting your car sorted, DM me I’ll be happy to explain the long procedure mate.
Thanks, bud.