Models · Vauxhall / Opel
Vauxhall Corsa VXR D buying guide
The Corsa D VXR, a three-door hot supermini sold from 2007 to 2014 with a 1.6 turbo and a six-speed manual. The Nürburgring Edition of 2011 and the 2014 Clubsport added power, a limited-slip differential and Brembo brakes. How earlier owners drove it matters more than the car itself.
The versions
- 1.6 turbo four-cylinder: 189bhp in the VXR, with a five-second overboost
- Nürburgring Edition (2011) and Clubsport (2014): 202bhp, Drexler limited-slip differential, Bilstein dampers, Brembo brakes, Recaro seats and a Remus exhaust
- Six-speed manual only, front-wheel drive
- Three-door hatchback, facelifted in 2010; special editions include the VXRacing and VXR Arctic
What to check on a Corsa D VXR
3 model-specific things to look at when you view one. They're a starting point, not the full inspection.
Smoky idle and the number four piston
What to look for: Watch the exhaust at idle for smoke, and on the drive feel for misfiring or a lack of power. Ask whether the engine has had a compression test or any engine work.
Why it matters: The number four piston can suffer from poor cooling, and a smoky idle, misfiring or lack of power are the signs it's playing up. Caught early, the affected parts can be replaced; left, the damage becomes terminal.
Gearbox noise and lever movement
What to look for: On the drive, listen for whining from the gearbox, especially in sixth gear, and for any change in transmission noise. With the car stationary, check whether the gear lever moves more than expected in first, third and fifth. Ask whether the gearbox oil has been changed.
Why it matters: The six-speed gearbox is a known weak point. Its bearings wear, leading to whine and eventually failure, and specialists blame oil that overheats and loses its protection, especially with track use. A rebuild replaces the bearings, and a later endcase with larger bearings is available as an upgrade.
Is it a genuine Nürburgring or Clubsport
What to look for: If the car is sold as a Nürburgring Edition or Clubsport, look for the Brembo brakes behind the wheels, check the V5C and the service book describe it as such, and ask for the build details.
Why it matters: Only the 2011 Nürburgring Edition and 2014 Clubsport have the higher output, limited-slip differential and uprated chassis. VXRacing and other special editions use the standard engine, so the paperwork matters.
Also in the full guide
- Modified cars and originality
- The cold start, test drive and paperwork checks for the exact version you're viewing
The full guide to the Corsa D VXR
The CrankSight guide walks you round the car on your phone at the viewing, with every check for the exact version you're looking at: what to look for, where to find it, and what anything you find is likely to cost. As you go it builds an assessment of that car, and if you view more than one, it lines them up side by side.
£29 for the model, used on as many cars as you like, delivered within 72 hours or your money back.
Other generations
General points for the model, last checked October 2026. Every car is different, so treat this as a guide to what to look at, not a verdict on any car. CrankSight is independent and has no connection with Vauxhall / Opel.