2002 Alfa Romeo Spider — MOT failures & pass rate
Across 746 MOT tests, the 2002 Alfa Romeo Spider recorded a 76.5% pass rate. Against all cars of a similar age (27.4% fail rate), the 2002 Spider comes out 4.0pp better. Failures cluster in brakes, body, structure & corrosion and suspension.
What the MOT record shows
One area stands out: brakes, recorded in 11.4% of tests against 7.8% for the next-worst category.
At component level the recurring items are rbt (sp), wipers and joints — rbt (sp) alone was recorded 57 times.
Condition tracks the odometer closely. Failures run at 18.3% in the 30-60k band and 31.5% in the 120-150k band, a 13.3-point spread.
Suspension is the most common advisory, noted on 26.7% of tests — work that passed today but is likely due soon.
The trend is improving — the fail rate fell from 27.8% in 2021 to 16.8% in 2025, as the worst-kept examples leave the fleet.
How it compares
Top failure categories
| # | Category | % of tests affected | Tests |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Brakes | 11.4% | 85 |
| 2 | Body, structure & corrosion | 7.8% | 58 |
| 3 | Suspension | 6.8% | 51 |
| 4 | Lighting & signalling | 6.3% | 47 |
| 5 | Visibility | 6.2% | 46 |
| 6 | Emissions & environmental | 4.3% | 32 |
Most common specific failures
The exact components most often recorded as failures — more specific than the categories above.
| # | Failure item | Times recorded |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Rbt (sp) | 57 |
| 2 | Wipers | 36 |
| 3 | Joints | 36 |
| 4 | Exhaust system | 30 |
| 5 | Washers | 23 |
| 6 | Headlamp aim | 23 |
Top advisory categories
Advisories aren't failures, but they flag work likely needed soon — useful when budgeting.
| # | Category | % of tests with advisory | Tests |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Suspension | 26.7% | 199 |
| 2 | Brakes | 25.5% | 190 |
| 3 | Tyres | 20.1% | 150 |
| 4 | Emissions & environmental | 13.7% | 102 |
| 5 | Body, structure & corrosion | 12.7% | 95 |
| 6 | Lighting & signalling | 5.2% | 39 |
Failure rate by mileage
Higher-mileage cars tend to fail more — often the most useful guide to real condition.
| Mileage band | Tests | Fail rate |
|---|---|---|
| 30-60k | 126 | 18.3% |
| 60-90k | 296 | 22.3% |
| 90-120k | 198 | 24.2% |
| 120-150k | 73 | 31.5% |
Failure rate by age
Trend over time
| Dataset year | Tests | Fail rate |
|---|---|---|
| 2021 | 187 | 27.8% |
| 2022 | 155 | 23.2% |
| 2023 | 152 | 26.3% |
| 2024 | 127 | 20.5% |
| 2025 | 125 | 16.8% |
What to check before buying a 2002 Spider
The failure pattern for this year is specific enough to inspect against: brakes accounted for 11.4% of tests. Start there.
- Brakes (11.4% of tests): Pads/discs are routine wear; binding, imbalance or corroded pipes are more serious — test for pulling under braking. Typical repair: £100–£350 per axle.
- Body, structure & corrosion (7.8% of tests): The one to take seriously on older cars — corrosion to structural areas can be costly and is an MOT failure. Typical repair: £200–£1,500+.
- Suspension (6.8% of tests): Worn drop links, bushes, springs or shocks — listen for knocks over bumps and check for uneven tyre wear. Typical repair: £150–£450 per corner.
Repair costs are rough UK ballpark ranges to set expectations, not quotes — actual prices vary widely by car, parts and garage.
Frequently asked questions
How many 2002 Alfa Romeo Spiders pass their MOT?
76.5% of the 746 2002 Alfa Romeo Spider MOT tests in this dataset passed — a 23.5% fail rate.
What is the most common MOT failure on a 2002 Alfa Romeo Spider?
Brakes, recorded in 11.4% of tests, followed by body, structure & corrosion (7.8%).
Does the 2002 Spider get worse with mileage?
Its MOT fail rate rises from 18.3% in the 30-60k band to 31.5% in the 120-150k band.
Methodology & source. Based on 746 MOT tests. Dataset: DVSA MOT testing data (2021,2022,2023,2024,2025). Data last updated 2026-07-27. Figures reflect MOT-testable defects only — read the methodology for how these are calculated and what they don't measure.